The Nebraska Capitol will see state senators in July as Governor Pete Ricketts updated the state on the response to COVID-19.
Legislature Set To Reconvene in July
After a two-month hiatus, the Nebraska Legislature is scheduled to resume July 20.
Speaker Jim Scheer of Norfolk says the decision is based on the belief Nebraska will have reached the peak of COVID-19 cases by that time – and will not have experienced a resurgence in cases following the loosening of restrictions on businesses and social gatherings.
Ricketts says passing property tax relief and business incentives remain the priority.
Lawmakers are scheduled to complete their work for the session on Aug. 13.
Ricketts Expects Impact To State Budget
Nebraska returned lower than expected tax receipts for the month of April announced Friday.
Ricketts isn’t sure if there will be cuts to the state budget.
“At this point, we don’t know the complete picture around that and won’t know until we get the complete tax receipts and that was moved from April 15 to July 15.”
The Nebraska Legislature is expected to reconvene in Mid July but expanding any state relief won’t be done according to the Governor.
Nebraska Hospital Capacity Remains Strong As Cases Rise
With restrictions relaxed across the state, Ricketts is pleased with the latest COVID-19 data despite the total number of lab-confirmed cases surpassing 10,000
Rickett’s says the most important metric is hospital capacity.
“It takes about two weeks from the time we do something to see that impact,” he says. “So while I’m pleased with the capacity in the hospital, we want to make sure to preserve that capacity in the hospital system.”
He said he won’t loosen any restrictions in May but will continue to study the data and wait until June to decide when and where that might happen.
Ricketts Signs Procolomation For EMS Week
Ready for today and preparing for tomorrow – the theme for EMS workers across the state as they are on front lines.
“They’ve got very, very difficult jobs. We are so grateful of all the hard work they are putting in all across the state to take care of people and keep people safe.”
Governor Ricketts signed a proclamation making it EMS Week.
Chair of the state EMS Board Jim Smith says professionals face daily challenges like lack of P-P-E and fellow sick coworkers.
“Now more than ever we honor and celebrate our EMS professionals who are supporting the health and well-being of our state and nation,” he says.