Sidney, Neb. -&nbsp;

On Wednesday September 25th at approximately 4:40 pm a citizen brought a suspicious letter to the Sidney Police Station at 1200 Pole Creek Crossing. The concerned citizen received the letter on Monday and immediately placed the letter into a ziplock bag. The letter originated from over seas and was screened by US Customs. 

The letter contained a single blank sheet of paper with an orange smudge on it. The Sidney Police Department contacted the Sidney Fire Department who ensured no life or environmental dangers were present. The Sidney Police Department’s thanks the citizen and the Sidney Fire Department for their actions.



Sidney Police DepartmentSidney, Neb. -&nbsp;

On Wednesday September 25th at approximately 4:40 pm a citizen brought a suspicious letter to the Sidney Police Station at 1200 Pole Creek Crossing. The concerned citizen received the letter on Monday and immediately placed the letter into a ziplock bag. The letter originated from over seas and was screened by US Customs. The letter contained a single blank sheet of paper with an orange smudge on it. The Sidney Police Department contacted the Sidney Fire Department who ensured no life or environmental dangers were present. The Sidney Police Department’s thanks the citizen and the Sidney Fire Department for their actions.

Sidney Police investigated a suspicious letter sent to local resident

The 27th annual Omaha Women’s Health and Wellness Conference will be held Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Scott Conference Center in Aksarben Village, 6450 Pine St.

This year’s conference will feature main sessions on social media influence and separating fact from fiction in adult ADHD.

Other sessions will offer insight into topics such as the effects of opioids, young women’s health concerns, myofascial release in pain relief, intuitive eating, menopause and promoting positive behavior in school-aged children.

Several health and educational exhibits will be available during a morning health fair. Attendees can register for blood work and flu shots with an additional fee.

The conference is hosted by the Olson Center&nbsp;for&nbsp;Women’s Health, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine.

Continuing education will be provided for&nbsp;nurses and social workers.&nbsp;Registration, which includes lectures, lunch&nbsp;and&nbsp;refreshments, is $75 for&nbsp;the general public and $110 for&nbsp;nurses and social workers.&nbsp;

Registration is&nbsp;open&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nebraskamed.com/womens_conference" target="_blank">online</a>. For&nbsp;more information about the event, call the Olson Center&nbsp;at 402-559-6345

UNMCThe 27th annual Omaha Women’s Health and Wellness Conference will be held Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Scott Conference Center in Aksarben Village, 6450 Pine St.This year’s conference will feature main sessions on social media influence and separating fact from fiction in adult ADHD.Other sessions will offer insight into topics such as the effects of opioids, young women’s health concerns, myofascial release in pain relief, intuitive eating, menopause and promoting positive behavior in school-aged children.Several health and educational exhibits will be available during a morning health fair. Attendees can register for blood work and flu shots with an additional fee.The conference is hosted by the Olson Center&nbsp;for&nbsp;Women’s Health, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine.Continuing education will be provided for&nbsp;nurses and social workers.&nbsp;Registration, which includes lectures, lunch&nbsp;and&nbsp;refreshments, is $75 for&nbsp;the general public and $110 for&nbsp;nurses and social workers.&nbsp;Registration is&nbsp;open&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nebraskamed.com/womens_conference" target="_blank">online</a>. For&nbsp;more information about the event, call the Olson Center&nbsp;at 402-559-6345

 Registration open for Omaha Women’s Health and Wellness Conference

September 25, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The first homestand of the Husker football season is in the books and Nebraska State Troopers were on patrol to keep fans safe on gamedays.

Troopers throughout Nebraska made 35 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol on gamedays. Ten of those arrests occurred in Lancaster County in the hours surrounding a Husker football game.

“We’re thankful that the vast majority of fans do their part to keep roads safe and make sure to have a sober driver,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Whether it’s gameday or any other day, always have a gameplan to have a sober driver if your event involves alcohol.”

This effort was made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office. In addition to patrolling the roads, troopers assist gameday security operations alongside the UNL Police Department, Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and other partners.

The Husker football team is on the road to take on Purdue this Saturday but returns home to Lincoln for an afternoon game against Rutgers on October 5.

Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolSeptember 25, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The first homestand of the Husker football season is in the books and Nebraska State Troopers were on patrol to keep fans safe on gamedays.Troopers throughout Nebraska made 35 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol on gamedays. Ten of those arrests occurred in Lancaster County in the hours surrounding a Husker football game.“We’re thankful that the vast majority of fans do their part to keep roads safe and make sure to have a sober driver,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Whether it’s gameday or any other day, always have a gameplan to have a sober driver if your event involves alcohol.”This effort was made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office. In addition to patrolling the roads, troopers assist gameday security operations alongside the UNL Police Department, Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, and other partners.The Husker football team is on the road to take on Purdue this Saturday but returns home to Lincoln for an afternoon game against Rutgers on October 5.

Troopers Make 35 DUI Arrests During Husker Home Games

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen addressed the newly formed&nbsp;Committee on Pacific Conflict, which held its inaugural meeting this morning. The group, formed through passage of LB1300, has the responsibility of identifying potential risks to the state that might emanate from China in the event of a conflict in the Pacific Theater. Nebraska is the first state in the nation to enact such a committee for this purpose.

“This group, in many ways, will be the front lines to identifying potential risks to our state,” said Gov. Pillen. “It will work collaboratively across education, military, federal and other partners to best secure our infrastructure, our natural resources, our economy and our way of life. When we consider the threats posed in the world today, formulation of this committee is critical and will allow Nebraska to be better prepared for any situation we may face.”

The Committee consists of the following seven voting members: Director of State Homeland Security and Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly; Director of the Division of Administrative Services (DAS) Jason Jackson; State Investment Officer Ellen Hung; Major General Craig Strong, adjutant general for the Nebraska National Guard; Bob Andersen, defense contractor and U.S. Air Force veteran; Rick Nelson, general manager for the Nebraska Rural Electric Association (NREA); and Allen Geist of the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska. Andersen, Nelson and Geist were appointed by Gov. Pillen.

Members appointed by the Executive Board of the Legislative Council include senators Beau Ballard (District 21), Eliot Bostar (District 29), Rick Holdcroft (District 36) and Rita Sanders (District 45).Sen. Bostar sponsored legislation on behalf of Gov. Pillen creating the&nbsp;Pacific Conflict Stress Test Act. In addition to the formulation of the committee, LB1300 requires DAS to review critical procurements purchased or supplied through the state supply chain and to provide a report to the Governor.

The Nebraska Investment Council must take similar action by auditing and reporting on all state managed funds. Finally, the Governor must publish a state threat assessment prior to the annual State of the State address. Given the sensitive nature of information presented to and shared by committee members, state law specifies that meetings are not open to the public.

“The value of this committee can’t be overstated,” said Sen. Bostar. “First and foremost, it brings us in line with the mission and objectives of our federal partners who are currently working to assess and prepare for threats to our state. Across the country, we are seeing an increased focus on the targeting of state and local governments by malicious actors. We have a duty to protect the residents, infrastructure, agriculture, and critical systems of Nebraska from threats posed by foreign adversaries."

Speaking from his experience working in the military at both the state and federal level, MG Strong noted that while many areas of security overlap across departments and levels, gaps remain.

“This committee can help fill those gaps in a strategic and important way,” he explained. “Nebraska is an incredibly resilient state, but there are challenges, and these are the first steps toward addressing those vulnerabilities.”

Given Nebraska’s unique contribution to critical American assets, which includes being home to Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), it would not be difficult to imagine the state being subject to attack.

“Whether that be to critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, public safety, telecommunications, or state supply chains, we must continue to take action to bolster our economy and safeguard against potential loopholes that might allow foreign adversaries to gain a foothold from within,” said Committee Chairman, Lt. Gov. KellyDirector Jackson noted that DAS was underway in completing its report due to the Governor by Nov. 1. 

It will include a review of critical procurements with connections to foreign adversaries as well as an exploration into what difficulties might arise if disruptions occurred involving procurements from such entities.

“I appreciate the wisdom of the Governor, Sen. Bostar and the other members serving on this committee. From the perspective of DAS, we have a lot of touchpoints from a national security perspective that may not be completely obvious.” said Dir. Jackson. “All of those areas will benefit from information gleaned through the efforts of this committee.” &nbsp;&nbsp;The&nbsp;Committee on Pacific Conflict&nbsp;is slated to meet quarterly over an initial three-year period.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen addressed the newly formed&nbsp;Committee on Pacific Conflict, which held its inaugural meeting this morning. The group, formed through passage of LB1300, has the responsibility of identifying potential risks to the state that might emanate from China in the event of a conflict in the Pacific Theater. Nebraska is the first state in the nation to enact such a committee for this purpose.“This group, in many ways, will be the front lines to identifying potential risks to our state,” said Gov. Pillen. “It will work collaboratively across education, military, federal and other partners to best secure our infrastructure, our natural resources, our economy and our way of life. When we consider the threats posed in the world today, formulation of this committee is critical and will allow Nebraska to be better prepared for any situation we may face.”The Committee consists of the following seven voting members: Director of State Homeland Security and Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly; Director of the Division of Administrative Services (DAS) Jason Jackson; State Investment Officer Ellen Hung; Major General Craig Strong, adjutant general for the Nebraska National Guard; Bob Andersen, defense contractor and U.S. Air Force veteran; Rick Nelson, general manager for the Nebraska Rural Electric Association (NREA); and Allen Geist of the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska. Andersen, Nelson and Geist were appointed by Gov. Pillen.Members appointed by the Executive Board of the Legislative Council include senators Beau Ballard (District 21), Eliot Bostar (District 29), Rick Holdcroft (District 36) and Rita Sanders (District 45).Sen. Bostar sponsored legislation on behalf of Gov. Pillen creating the&nbsp;Pacific Conflict Stress Test Act. In addition to the formulation of the committee, LB1300 requires DAS to review critical procurements purchased or supplied through the state supply chain and to provide a report to the Governor. The Nebraska Investment Council must take similar action by auditing and reporting on all state managed funds. Finally, the Governor must publish a state threat assessment prior to the annual State of the State address. Given the sensitive nature of information presented to and shared by committee members, state law specifies that meetings are not open to the public.“The value of this committee can’t be overstated,” said Sen. Bostar. “First and foremost, it brings us in line with the mission and objectives of our federal partners who are currently working to assess and prepare for threats to our state. Across the country, we are seeing an increased focus on the targeting of state and local governments by malicious actors. We have a duty to protect the residents, infrastructure, agriculture, and critical systems of Nebraska from threats posed by foreign adversaries."Speaking from his experience working in the military at both the state and federal level, MG Strong noted that while many areas of security overlap across departments and levels, gaps remain.“This committee can help fill those gaps in a strategic and important way,” he explained. “Nebraska is an incredibly resilient state, but there are challenges, and these are the first steps toward addressing those vulnerabilities.”Given Nebraska’s unique contribution to critical American assets, which includes being home to Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), it would not be difficult to imagine the state being subject to attack.“Whether that be to critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, public safety, telecommunications, or state supply chains, we must continue to take action to bolster our economy and safeguard against potential loopholes that might allow foreign adversaries to gain a foothold from within,” said Committee Chairman, Lt. Gov. KellyDirector Jackson noted that DAS was underway in completing its report due to the Governor by Nov. 1. It will include a review of critical procurements with connections to foreign adversaries as well as an exploration into what difficulties might arise if disruptions occurred involving procurements from such entities.“I appreciate the wisdom of the Governor, Sen. Bostar and the other members serving on this committee. From the perspective of DAS, we have a lot of touchpoints from a national security perspective that may not be completely obvious.” said Dir. Jackson. “All of those areas will benefit from information gleaned through the efforts of this committee.” &nbsp;&nbsp;The&nbsp;Committee on Pacific Conflict&nbsp;is slated to meet quarterly over an initial three-year period.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gov. Pillen Addresses Committee on Pacific Conflict at Inaugural Meeting

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors said Tuesday that the man who allegedly stalked former President Donald Trump for a month before aiming his rifle through a fence at Trump’s private golf course on Sept. 15 was indicted on the charge of an attempted assassination of a political candidate.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ryan-wesley-routh-indicted-attempted-assassination-former-president-trump" target="_blank">The Justice Department&nbsp;</a>said a federal grand jury in Miami late Tuesday returned an indictment charging Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of attempting to kill the GOP presidential nominee while at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

“Violence targeting public officials endangers everything our country stands for, and the Department of Justice will use every available tool to hold Ryan Routh accountable for the attempted assassination of former President Trump charged in the indictment,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

“The Justice Department will not tolerate violence that strikes at the heart of our democracy, and we will find and hold accountable those who perpetrate it. This must stop,” Garland said.

The maximum sentence for the attempted assassination charge is a life sentence. Routh remains in pretrial detention.

The case is being handled by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who&nbsp;<a href="https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/07/15/federal-judge-dismisses-trump-classified-documents-criminal-case/" target="_blank">previously dismissed criminal charges&nbsp;</a>against Trump related to illegally allegedly keeping classified documents after he left the presidency. Cannon was appointed by Trump to the federal bench.

<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gunman-who-allegedly-targeted-trump-offered-150k-anyone-who-could-finish-job" target="_blank">Prosecutors on Monday detailed&nbsp;</a>that Routh stalked Trump for a month, noting events Trump would be at, and wrote a note where he offered $150,000 to anyone who could “finish the job,” according to court filings.

This is now officially the second assassination attempt against Trump, after the&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/campaigns-elections/trump-campaigns-in-western-pennsylvania-with-rally-in-butler-county/" target="_blank">first&nbsp;</a>one in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump sustained an injury to his ear. He was not injured at his Florida golf club.

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe&nbsp;<a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/09/16/man-arrested-after-poking-rifle-onto-trump-golf-course-charged-with-federal-gun-crimes/" target="_blank">confirmed that Routh did not fire his weapon</a>&nbsp;and that the gunshots heard were from a Secret Service agent who saw part of Routh’s gun poking out from the chain link fence and immediately fired.

<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/man-arrested-after-poking-rifle-trump-golf-course-charged-federal-gun-crimes" target="_blank">Routh has already been charged</a>&nbsp;with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and with obliterating the serial number on a firearm, according to court records. With those charges, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726536262473.png" alt="Ryan Routh during his arrest -photo Martin Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Ryan Routh during his arrest -photo Martin Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors said Tuesday that the man who allegedly stalked former President Donald Trump for a month before aiming his rifle through a fence at Trump’s private golf course on Sept. 15 was indicted on the charge of an attempted assassination of a political candidate.<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ryan-wesley-routh-indicted-attempted-assassination-former-president-trump" target="_blank">The Justice Department&nbsp;</a>said a federal grand jury in Miami late Tuesday returned an indictment charging Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of attempting to kill the GOP presidential nominee while at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.“Violence targeting public officials endangers everything our country stands for, and the Department of Justice will use every available tool to hold Ryan Routh accountable for the attempted assassination of former President Trump charged in the indictment,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.“The Justice Department will not tolerate violence that strikes at the heart of our democracy, and we will find and hold accountable those who perpetrate it. This must stop,” Garland said.The maximum sentence for the attempted assassination charge is a life sentence. Routh remains in pretrial detention.The case is being handled by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who&nbsp;<a href="https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/07/15/federal-judge-dismisses-trump-classified-documents-criminal-case/" target="_blank">previously dismissed criminal charges&nbsp;</a>against Trump related to illegally allegedly keeping classified documents after he left the presidency. Cannon was appointed by Trump to the federal bench.<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/gunman-who-allegedly-targeted-trump-offered-150k-anyone-who-could-finish-job" target="_blank">Prosecutors on Monday detailed&nbsp;</a>that Routh stalked Trump for a month, noting events Trump would be at, and wrote a note where he offered $150,000 to anyone who could “finish the job,” according to court filings.This is now officially the second assassination attempt against Trump, after the&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/campaigns-elections/trump-campaigns-in-western-pennsylvania-with-rally-in-butler-county/" target="_blank">first&nbsp;</a>one in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump sustained an injury to his ear. He was not injured at his Florida golf club.Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe&nbsp;<a href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/09/16/man-arrested-after-poking-rifle-onto-trump-golf-course-charged-with-federal-gun-crimes/" target="_blank">confirmed that Routh did not fire his weapon</a>&nbsp;and that the gunshots heard were from a Secret Service agent who saw part of Routh’s gun poking out from the chain link fence and immediately fired.<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/man-arrested-after-poking-rifle-trump-golf-course-charged-federal-gun-crimes" target="_blank">Routh has already been charged</a>&nbsp;with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and with obliterating the serial number on a firearm, according to court records. With those charges, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Ryan Routh charged with attempted assassination in Trump golf course case

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen has signed a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Sioux County for the Bronco Fire near Crawford. The fire, which started Sept. 18, has burned more than 1,000 acres. Latest reports indicate it is nearly contained.

The written proclamation follows verbal authorization by the Governor allowing the state adjutant general to activate emergency plans and resources necessary to manage the fire. The adjutant general also serves as the state disaster coordinator.

The proclamation also permits the use of funds from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to be used for those purposes.

The proclamation is included with this release.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Office Of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen has signed a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Sioux County for the Bronco Fire near Crawford. The fire, which started Sept. 18, has burned more than 1,000 acres. Latest reports indicate it is nearly contained.The written proclamation follows verbal authorization by the Governor allowing the state adjutant general to activate emergency plans and resources necessary to manage the fire. The adjutant general also serves as the state disaster coordinator.The proclamation also permits the use of funds from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to be used for those purposes.The proclamation is included with this release.&nbsp; &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727281118144.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Gov. Pillen Declares State of Emergency for Sioux County 'Bronco Fire'

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said Tuesday during a radio interview that she supports changing a Senate procedure in order to codify the right to an abortion.

Vice President Harris said she is in favor of ending the 60-vote threshold in the Senate, known as the filibuster, to advance abortion rights legislation. But that task would hinge on Democrats agreeing to do so and holding on to majority control in the Senate, a difficult feat this November as&nbsp;<a href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/09/23/racing-toward-election-day-control-of-u-s-senate-and-house-up-for-grabs/" target="_blank">Republicans appear potentially poised to take back the upper chamber.&nbsp;</a>

“I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe, and get us to the point where 51 votes would be what we need to actually put back in law the protections for reproductive freedom and for the ability of every person and every woman to make decisions about their own body and not have their government tell them what to do,” she said during an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio.

Harris in 2022 said she would&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/09/10/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-at-the-2022-democratic-national-committee-summer-meeting/" target="_blank">cast a tie-breaking vote</a>&nbsp;in favor of abortion rights in her role as vice president. She has often pledged to sign into law a codification of Roe v. Wade, the constitutional right to an abortion struck down by the conservative U.S. Supreme Court in 2022.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said in August that Democrats would talk about rules changes to codify abortion rights,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/chuck-schumer-outlines-2025-agenda-democrats-sweep-eying-filibuster-ch-rcna167433" target="_blank">NBC reported</a>.

<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/trump-talks-agriculture-and-china-in-smithton-ahead-of-rally-at-iup/" target="_blank">At a Monday rally in Pennsylvania</a>, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump referred to himself as a “protector” of women. Trump said women no longer needed to think about abortion and it is “now where it always had to be, with the states.”

“All they want to do is talk about abortion,” the former president said at the rally, referring to Democrats. “It really no longer pertains because we’ve done something on abortion that no one thought was possible.”

Trump has called for Senate Republicans to dismantle the filibuster, but GOP Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and other Republican leaders like No. 2 Sen. John Thune of South Dakota have vowed to keep the procedure in place.

Current Senate projections indicate Republicans are likely to gain control of the Senate. Republicans are also expected to pick up a seat in West Virginia, and only need to hold on to seats in Florida, Texas and Nebraska.

Democrats will need to secure wins in Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Additionally, Senate Democrats would need to break a possible 50-50 tie through a Democratic presidency — if they want to remain the majority party and change the filibuster.

If Harris wins, and Democrats hold 50 seats in the Senate, then Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, the vice presidential nominee, would be the tie-breaking vote.

During a Tuesday Senate press conference on abortion, Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington said she was supportive of Harris’ stance and that it would be a carve-out of the filibuster, rather than an elimination of it.

“What we are talking about is a simple procedure to allow, whenever rights are taken away from someone, that the U.S. Senate can, without being blocked by a filibuster, be able to restore those rights,” she said.

The Harris campaign hosted a Tuesday press call with business owner and&nbsp; “Shark Tank” investor Mark Cuban, to advocate for Harris’ economic policies.

Polls have found that voters view Trump as better for the economy.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/09/09/in-tied-presidential-race-harris-and-trump-have-contrasting-strengths-weaknesses/" target="_blank">Pew Research</a>&nbsp;found that Trump’s key advantage is the economy, with 55% of voters viewing the former president as making good economic decisions, and 45% of voters viewing Harris as making good decisions about the economy.

“In a nutshell, the vice president and her team thinks through her policies,” Cuban said. “She doesn’t just off the top of her head say what she thinks the crowd wants to hear, like the Republican nominee.”

Battleground states still the favorite spot

The candidates will continue to campaign and travel, especially around battleground states this week.

Trump is scheduled Tuesday to visit Savannah, Georgia, where he will give an afternoon campaign speech about lowering taxes for business owners.

Walz is scheduled to head back to his home state of Minnesota Tuesday&nbsp;for a campaign reception there.

Harris is heading to&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/briefs/kamala-harris-to-campaign-in-pennsylvania-on-wednesday/" target="_blank">Pennsylvania Wednesday&nbsp;</a>for a campaign rally and then she’ll travel to Arizona on Friday and Nevada on Sunday.

Trump is stopping in Mint Hill, North Carolina, on Wednesday to give remarks about the importance of making goods in the U.S. His running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, will travel to Traverse City, Michigan, on Wednesday to rally supporters.

Vance on Thursday will give a campaign speech on the economy in Macon, Georgia, and then host a voter mobilization drive in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

On Friday, Trump is scheduled to rally supporters in Walker, Michigan and in the evening hold a town hall in Warren, Michigan.

&nbsp;Jennifer Shutt contributed to this report.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727264828416.png" alt="File photo Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign stop last week in Wisconsin -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign stop last week in Wisconsin -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said Tuesday during a radio interview that she supports changing a Senate procedure in order to codify the right to an abortion.Vice President Harris said she is in favor of ending the 60-vote threshold in the Senate, known as the filibuster, to advance abortion rights legislation. But that task would hinge on Democrats agreeing to do so and holding on to majority control in the Senate, a difficult feat this November as&nbsp;<a href="https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/09/23/racing-toward-election-day-control-of-u-s-senate-and-house-up-for-grabs/" target="_blank">Republicans appear potentially poised to take back the upper chamber.&nbsp;</a>“I think we should eliminate the filibuster for Roe, and get us to the point where 51 votes would be what we need to actually put back in law the protections for reproductive freedom and for the ability of every person and every woman to make decisions about their own body and not have their government tell them what to do,” she said during an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio.Harris in 2022 said she would&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/09/10/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-at-the-2022-democratic-national-committee-summer-meeting/" target="_blank">cast a tie-breaking vote</a>&nbsp;in favor of abortion rights in her role as vice president. She has often pledged to sign into law a codification of Roe v. Wade, the constitutional right to an abortion struck down by the conservative U.S. Supreme Court in 2022.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said in August that Democrats would talk about rules changes to codify abortion rights,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/chuck-schumer-outlines-2025-agenda-democrats-sweep-eying-filibuster-ch-rcna167433" target="_blank">NBC reported</a>.<h2>Trump in Pennsylvania</h2><a href="https://penncapital-star.com/election-2024/trump-talks-agriculture-and-china-in-smithton-ahead-of-rally-at-iup/" target="_blank">At a Monday rally in Pennsylvania</a>, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump referred to himself as a “protector” of women. Trump said women no longer needed to think about abortion and it is “now where it always had to be, with the states.”“All they want to do is talk about abortion,” the former president said at the rally, referring to Democrats. “It really no longer pertains because we’ve done something on abortion that no one thought was possible.”Trump has called for Senate Republicans to dismantle the filibuster, but GOP Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and other Republican leaders like No. 2 Sen. John Thune of South Dakota have vowed to keep the procedure in place.Current Senate projections indicate Republicans are likely to gain control of the Senate. Republicans are also expected to pick up a seat in West Virginia, and only need to hold on to seats in Florida, Texas and Nebraska.Democrats will need to secure wins in Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Additionally, Senate Democrats would need to break a possible 50-50 tie through a Democratic presidency — if they want to remain the majority party and change the filibuster.If Harris wins, and Democrats hold 50 seats in the Senate, then Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, the vice presidential nominee, would be the tie-breaking vote.During a Tuesday Senate press conference on abortion, Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington said she was supportive of Harris’ stance and that it would be a carve-out of the filibuster, rather than an elimination of it.“What we are talking about is a simple procedure to allow, whenever rights are taken away from someone, that the U.S. Senate can, without being blocked by a filibuster, be able to restore those rights,” she said.<h2>Harris, Trump and the economy</h2>The Harris campaign hosted a Tuesday press call with business owner and&nbsp; “Shark Tank” investor Mark Cuban, to advocate for Harris’ economic policies.Polls have found that voters view Trump as better for the economy.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/09/09/in-tied-presidential-race-harris-and-trump-have-contrasting-strengths-weaknesses/" target="_blank">Pew Research</a>&nbsp;found that Trump’s key advantage is the economy, with 55% of voters viewing the former president as making good economic decisions, and 45% of voters viewing Harris as making good decisions about the economy.“In a nutshell, the vice president and her team thinks through her policies,” Cuban said. “She doesn’t just off the top of her head say what she thinks the crowd wants to hear, like the Republican nominee.”<h2>Battleground states still the favorite spot</h2>The candidates will continue to campaign and travel, especially around battleground states this week.Trump is scheduled Tuesday to visit Savannah, Georgia, where he will give an afternoon campaign speech about lowering taxes for business owners.Walz is scheduled to head back to his home state of Minnesota Tuesday&nbsp;for a campaign reception there.Harris is heading to&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/briefs/kamala-harris-to-campaign-in-pennsylvania-on-wednesday/" target="_blank">Pennsylvania Wednesday&nbsp;</a>for a campaign rally and then she’ll travel to Arizona on Friday and Nevada on Sunday.Trump is stopping in Mint Hill, North Carolina, on Wednesday to give remarks about the importance of making goods in the U.S. His running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, will travel to Traverse City, Michigan, on Wednesday to rally supporters.Vance on Thursday will give a campaign speech on the economy in Macon, Georgia, and then host a voter mobilization drive in Flowery Branch, Georgia.On Friday, Trump is scheduled to rally supporters in Walker, Michigan and in the evening hold a town hall in Warren, Michigan.&nbsp;Jennifer Shutt contributed to this report.&nbsp;

Harris says she’d back an elimination of the filibuster to restore abortion rights

New York– World leaders Sunday adopted a Pact for the Future that includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, according to a media release from the United Nations.

 This Pact is the culmination of an inclusive, years-long process to adapt international cooperation to the realities of today and the challenges of tomorrow. The most wide-ranging international agreement in many years, covering entirely new areas as well as issues on which agreement has not been possible in decades, the Pact aims above all to ensure that international institutions can deliver in the face of a world that has changed dramatically since they were created. As the Secretary-General has said, “we cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built by our grandparents.”

<a href="https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/ltd/n24/252/89/pdf/n2425289.pdf">Click here to read</a> the full text of the agreement

Overall, the agreement of the Pact is a strong statement of countries’ commitment to the United Nations, the international system and international law.&nbsp; Leaders set out a clear vision of an international system that can deliver on its promises, is more representative of today’s world and draws on the energy and expertise of governments, civil society and other key partners.

“The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations open the door to new opportunities and untapped possibilities,” said the Secretary-General during his remarks at the opening of the Summit of the Future. The President of the General Assembly noted that the Pact would “lay the foundations for a sustainable, just, and peaceful global order – for all peoples and nations.”

The Pact covers a broad range of issues including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance. Key deliverables in the Pact include:

On sustainable development, climate and financing for development

There are provisions across the Pact and its annexes for follow-up action, to ensure that the commitments made are implemented.

The Summit process and the Pact have been deeply enriched by the contributions of millions of voices and thousands of stakeholders from around the world.

The Summit brought together over 4000 individuals from Heads of State and Government, observers, IGOs, UN System, civil society and non-governmental organizations. In a broader push to increase the engagement of diverse actors, the formal Summit was preceded by the Action Days from 20-21 September, which attracted more than 7,000 individuals representing all segments of society. The Action Days featured strong commitments to action by all stakeholders, as well as pledges of USD 1.05 billion to advance digital inclusion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727178356886.png" alt="\" />
 <figcaption>\</figcaption>
 </figure>New York– World leaders Sunday adopted a Pact for the Future that includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, according to a media release from the United Nations. This Pact is the culmination of an inclusive, years-long process to adapt international cooperation to the realities of today and the challenges of tomorrow. The most wide-ranging international agreement in many years, covering entirely new areas as well as issues on which agreement has not been possible in decades, the Pact aims above all to ensure that international institutions can deliver in the face of a world that has changed dramatically since they were created. As the Secretary-General has said, “we cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built by our grandparents.”<a href="https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/ltd/n24/252/89/pdf/n2425289.pdf">Click here to read</a> the full text of the agreementOverall, the agreement of the Pact is a strong statement of countries’ commitment to the United Nations, the international system and international law.&nbsp; Leaders set out a clear vision of an international system that can deliver on its promises, is more representative of today’s world and draws on the energy and expertise of governments, civil society and other key partners.“The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations open the door to new opportunities and untapped possibilities,” said the Secretary-General during his remarks at the opening of the Summit of the Future. The President of the General Assembly noted that the Pact would “lay the foundations for a sustainable, just, and peaceful global order – for all peoples and nations.”The Pact covers a broad range of issues including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance. Key deliverables in the Pact include:In the area of peace and security<ul>
 <li>The most progressive and concrete commitment to Security Council reform since the 1960s, with plans to improve the effectiveness and representativeness of the Council, including by redressing the historical under-representation of Africa as a priority.</li><li>The first multilateral recommitment to nuclear disarmament in more than a decade, with a clear commitment to the goal of totally eliminating nuclear weapons.</li><li>Agreement to strengthen international frameworks that govern outer space, including a clear commitment to prevent an arms race in outer space and the need to ensure all countries can benefit from the safe and sustainable exploration of outer space.</li><li>Steps to avoid the weaponization and misuse of new technologies, such as lethal autonomous weapons, and affirmation that the laws of war should apply to many of these new technologies.</li>
 </ul>On sustainable development, climate and financing for development<ul>
 <li>The entire Pact is designed to turbo-charge implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.</li><li>The most detailed agreement ever at the United Nations on the need for reform of the international financial architecture so that it better represents and serves developing countries, including:Giving developing countries a greater say in how decisions are taken at international financial institutions;Mobilizing more financing from multilateral development banks to help developing countries meet their development needs;Reviewing the sovereign debt architecture to ensure that developing countries can borrow sustainably to invest in their future, with the IMF, UN, G20 and other key players working together;Strengthening the global financial safety net to protect the poorest in the event of financial and economic shocks, through concrete actions by the IMF and Member States;and accelerating measures to address the challenge of climate change, including through delivering more finance to help countries adapt to climate change and invest in renewable energy.</li><li>Giving developing countries a greater say in how decisions are taken at international financial institutions;</li><li>Mobilizing more financing from multilateral development banks to help developing countries meet their development needs;</li><li>Reviewing the sovereign debt architecture to ensure that developing countries can borrow sustainably to invest in their future, with the IMF, UN, G20 and other key players working together;</li><li>Strengthening the global financial safety net to protect the poorest in the event of financial and economic shocks, through concrete actions by the IMF and Member States;</li><li>and accelerating measures to address the challenge of climate change, including through delivering more finance to help countries adapt to climate change and invest in renewable energy.</li><li>Improving how we measure human progress, going beyond GDP to capturing human and planetary wellbeing and sustainability.</li><li>A commitment to consider ways to introduce a global minimum level of taxation on high-net-worth individuals.</li><li>On climate change, confirmation of the need to keep global temperature rise to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.</li>
 </ul>On digital cooperation<ul>
 <li>The Global Digital Compact, annexed to the Pact, is the first comprehensive global framework for digital cooperation and AI governance.</li><li>At the heart of the Compact is a commitment to design, use and govern technology for the benefit of all. This includes commitments by world leaders to:Connect all people, schools and hospitals to the Internet;Anchor digital cooperation in human rights and international law;Make the online space safe for all, especially children, through actions by governments, tech companies and social media;Govern Artificial Intelligence, with a roadmap that includes an International Scientific Panel and a Global Policy Dialogue on AI;Make data more open and accessible, with agreements on open-source data, models, and standards;This is also the first global commitment to data governance, placing it on the UN agenda and requiring countries to take concrete actions by 2030.</li><li>Connect all people, schools and hospitals to the Internet;</li><li>Anchor digital cooperation in human rights and international law;</li><li>Make the online space safe for all, especially children, through actions by governments, tech companies and social media;</li><li>Govern Artificial Intelligence, with a roadmap that includes an International Scientific Panel and a Global Policy Dialogue on AI;</li><li>Make data more open and accessible, with agreements on open-source data, models, and standards;</li><li>This is also the first global commitment to data governance, placing it on the UN agenda and requiring countries to take concrete actions by 2030.</li>
 </ul>Youth and future generations<ul>
 <li>The first ever Declaration on Future Generations, with concrete steps to take account of future generations in our decision-making, including a possible envoy for future generations.</li><li>A commitment to more meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in the decisions that shape their lives, especially at the global level.</li>
 </ul>Human rights and gender<ul>
 <li>A strengthening of our work on human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women.</li><li>A clear call on the need to protect human rights defenders.</li><li>Strong signals on the importance of engagement of other stakeholders in global governance, including local and regional governments, civil society, private sector and others.</li>
 </ul>There are provisions across the Pact and its annexes for follow-up action, to ensure that the commitments made are implemented.Summit ProcessThe Summit process and the Pact have been deeply enriched by the contributions of millions of voices and thousands of stakeholders from around the world.The Summit brought together over 4000 individuals from Heads of State and Government, observers, IGOs, UN System, civil society and non-governmental organizations. In a broader push to increase the engagement of diverse actors, the formal Summit was preceded by the Action Days from 20-21 September, which attracted more than 7,000 individuals representing all segments of society. The Action Days featured strong commitments to action by all stakeholders, as well as pledges of USD 1.05 billion to advance digital inclusion.

Read the U.N. approved Pact for the Future to transform global governance

WASHINGTON, DC –&nbsp;Invest in Education Coalition,&nbsp;a national organization dedicated to advancing school choice at the federal level, endorsed&nbsp;Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), in his race today.

Sen. Ricketts has co-sponsored the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), a bill that is designed to expand access to school choice for children nationwide by funding K-12 scholarships through private donations that cover essential elements such as tuition, tutoring and special needs services.

Earlier this month, the ECCA&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=e770575bdb7349bca315370c0b23aaa0&amp;_e=Yll8CHaTlKpT5Yt-1MgjYzV7PS9eye689SNLO4rw6mQJK6W-88SvXz2VZJ9y2H-7-qxsarv7AlIi4EXJBl8D6I8jP634KSszfvvCDCzO-fWiTKCTocSweEz71r_syAoGv5WiwNgAcsDx4FjP-HzMgbj-REZjFWx3T52Ceyab2VON86aZ0fBX_qXczcJax_o_Yo-QS9OrMmO57XA_JOypg-PFifW6MPy8EQvGDjJUU-HuR4y29GfeEAp-G14z0JfpPHIktnXAJTQ7IdF3xzMYClf-smnIOf6-8Lik6P8pKBLewbBBzQnc2F-n1xnJgsFin0UuiIGwB7WBvOGmtVtURIsUwcw-nxZvMWASj6LIcuPTh3rQJPS9XdjtHeEkAIWhnTudj_WMWPOQtp83L34tYu4Qge0Zd2AprbaSLkj2yilFaAYB0Vfok2kKLB9Cem319CI7_etrMxCd1c5cIv8CngTiplg1Uj7maV1D23nrQKpkhuMZjk59ZVRGiigwKQLzQ9MtK9Do30NB3NhgMUsFtCrPfNZsQtNdwnxu71rQr6wFelN6SrkHAoSMfWnrS9iYmivHu2JL2CbAa70rdD-CTEuwlRIHCnHWVhGYhC3qL1WA1boI7TfTO4zGHgT7Ije3jVGYxlwQ7WTv4R49kPNQTvV-XjwM6HNy-uovCDdNYiSA0FNaZgPOGFV9iWe3xdJKHNzZMBt52nANoKgK73Qm6lgf4AOJvkMHfiJTvZs0O7vi3ppmwWQbyP_wKerSSTp_trRcY6kW0omIQofgLyBRfvQEFA9qgamgS0Qb3OtecqE%3D">passed</a>&nbsp;out of the House Ways &amp; Means Committee and now heads to the House Floor. This comes as the Republican National Committee has named school choice as one of their priorities in its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=e770575bdb7349bca315370c0b23aaa0&amp;_e=Yll8CHaTlKpT5Yt-1MgjY1BiAXyQ-vjLndktaoLMi_dpXsCqMAGC0bo0pbj_bcSyDAjpUtSIn2XNPHT8jYuDHQrWQ4IPKoSQNazoRQXmB4NZJnsiX8TGux6w0En4UIDRuEqNHgJeFZjsAz6xKXTbyZJAymxOmKWB_lvYLVUCDSUyqozm47aLfqVZhMF9nHe-TXyeA9ZKRbiXL82Xb72rUj07hUcsE4pOpsvT3ovW6qIbvGoYzh3EvdHAdDqChqOkJeH4THzggWrjiSedddZFlA%3D%3D">2024 Republican Platform</a>. A recent national survey shows more than&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=e770575bdb7349bca315370c0b23aaa0&amp;_e=Yll8CHaTlKpT5Yt-1MgjY8EWTx4r-X_sTP_QeErsnCdCWils1OWJSR3OR5d4QGUsAJiv1VjXlh7Y-470gyQvnKG_QRw3cx_nK-ESigfFGKqxCdNurM8gR_0DQcPXv-BLUNBHP-4TUZNxrzCP1OY4LPL5maWowgn3lyCWfglqEgWkJX9tGvHs_He2auBiG_bKtqY8rrq32wmr-pA_XnkL6P0_OJuwwnkJT4NslJ9XhQx_5q5EufpzjAN_y8I0PXld58Rhgo7tnT6W-821nDM3kf-lO6WWoHso_nS82Ui_5D0%3D">70 percent</a>&nbsp;of voters across all demographics agree that providing school choice for all students is an issue that needs attention.

Anthony J. de Nicola, Chairman of the Board of Invest in Education Coalition, said:

“We are very pleased to have the support and leadership of Sen. Ricketts of Nebraska for the Educational Choice for Children Act, as he understands the vital importance of empowering parents to access the highest quality, most suitable K-12 education available for their children.

“We commend Sen. Ricketts for his foresight and courage in championing K-12 education reform, and we look forward to working alongside him to make parental choice a reality for every child in Nebraska and across America.

“Invest in Education Coalition is proud to endorse Senator Pete Ricketts from the Cornhusker State of Nebraska.”

To learn more, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=e770575bdb7349bca315370c0b23aaa0&amp;_e=Yll8CHaTlKpT5Yt-1MgjY1BiAXyQ-vjLndktaoLMi_cXdpbacSKF1PDcNL0j_TIgKEdbikvmrjyeyAQGg3wO7NV_litoksUmYvAerzndG6G4fVrMhRYzmeE8ICybqXqjCJvdcwBNcbW0u3BOZ2fyEDs2rGqmxlxQjU9m3IaGGO0S39qo4Vnl2Jg552LaK2OP99BvEiz8OV5HGHLMaq4YPw%3D%3D">investineducation.org</a>&nbsp;

For more information on the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), please click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=e770575bdb7349bca315370c0b23aaa0&amp;_e=Yll8CHaTlKpT5Yt-1MgjY1BiAXyQ-vjLndktaoLMi_dpXsCqMAGC0bo0pbj_bcSym0TyYw5bCgJ6W7s9g8cSic406keeE3_BF6ETczLd11q36kOzd_3ABjsHH72qmC5Dlxj0wrRn5u1rifx6qN3A_tXJ6NkSHxYD8rWyQ7W2KznD71kvgEupWao-JWdTFvKJGDiN8nOWplCgZ3obKsIb8mCO4SoY5wZlKAFWxDFZPng%3D">here</a>.

Invest in Education Coalition is a 501(c)(4) organization that advocates at the federal level for legislation that will directly empower K-12 parents throughout the nation to choose the best school or education service for their children.&nbsp;Invest in Education Coalition is the only national organization exclusively dedicated to advancing school choice at the federal level, working to make this goal a reality for children in all 50 states.&nbsp;We believe that K-12 parents should have the power to choose the best educational options for their own children.&nbsp;Simply put, parents should decide where their child’s education dollars are spent.&nbsp;

Priscilla IvascoWASHINGTON, DC –&nbsp;Invest in Education Coalition,&nbsp;a national organization dedicated to advancing school choice at the federal level, endorsed&nbsp;Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), in his race today.Sen. Ricketts has co-sponsored the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), a bill that is designed to expand access to school choice for children nationwide by funding K-12 scholarships through private donations that cover essential elements such as tuition, tutoring and special needs services.Earlier this month, the ECCA&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=e770575bdb7349bca315370c0b23aaa0&amp;_e=Yll8CHaTlKpT5Yt-1MgjYzV7PS9eye689SNLO4rw6mQJK6W-88SvXz2VZJ9y2H-7-qxsarv7AlIi4EXJBl8D6I8jP634KSszfvvCDCzO-fWiTKCTocSweEz71r_syAoGv5WiwNgAcsDx4FjP-HzMgbj-REZjFWx3T52Ceyab2VON86aZ0fBX_qXczcJax_o_Yo-QS9OrMmO57XA_JOypg-PFifW6MPy8EQvGDjJUU-HuR4y29GfeEAp-G14z0JfpPHIktnXAJTQ7IdF3xzMYClf-smnIOf6-8Lik6P8pKBLewbBBzQnc2F-n1xnJgsFin0UuiIGwB7WBvOGmtVtURIsUwcw-nxZvMWASj6LIcuPTh3rQJPS9XdjtHeEkAIWhnTudj_WMWPOQtp83L34tYu4Qge0Zd2AprbaSLkj2yilFaAYB0Vfok2kKLB9Cem319CI7_etrMxCd1c5cIv8CngTiplg1Uj7maV1D23nrQKpkhuMZjk59ZVRGiigwKQLzQ9MtK9Do30NB3NhgMUsFtCrPfNZsQtNdwnxu71rQr6wFelN6SrkHAoSMfWnrS9iYmivHu2JL2CbAa70rdD-CTEuwlRIHCnHWVhGYhC3qL1WA1boI7TfTO4zGHgT7Ije3jVGYxlwQ7WTv4R49kPNQTvV-XjwM6HNy-uovCDdNYiSA0FNaZgPOGFV9iWe3xdJKHNzZMBt52nANoKgK73Qm6lgf4AOJvkMHfiJTvZs0O7vi3ppmwWQbyP_wKerSSTp_trRcY6kW0omIQofgLyBRfvQEFA9qgamgS0Qb3OtecqE%3D">passed</a>&nbsp;out of the House Ways &amp; Means Committee and now heads to the House Floor. This comes as the Republican National Committee has named school choice as one of their priorities in its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=e770575bdb7349bca315370c0b23aaa0&amp;_e=Yll8CHaTlKpT5Yt-1MgjY1BiAXyQ-vjLndktaoLMi_dpXsCqMAGC0bo0pbj_bcSyDAjpUtSIn2XNPHT8jYuDHQrWQ4IPKoSQNazoRQXmB4NZJnsiX8TGux6w0En4UIDRuEqNHgJeFZjsAz6xKXTbyZJAymxOmKWB_lvYLVUCDSUyqozm47aLfqVZhMF9nHe-TXyeA9ZKRbiXL82Xb72rUj07hUcsE4pOpsvT3ovW6qIbvGoYzh3EvdHAdDqChqOkJeH4THzggWrjiSedddZFlA%3D%3D">2024 Republican Platform</a>. A recent national survey shows more than&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=e770575bdb7349bca315370c0b23aaa0&amp;_e=Yll8CHaTlKpT5Yt-1MgjY8EWTx4r-X_sTP_QeErsnCdCWils1OWJSR3OR5d4QGUsAJiv1VjXlh7Y-470gyQvnKG_QRw3cx_nK-ESigfFGKqxCdNurM8gR_0DQcPXv-BLUNBHP-4TUZNxrzCP1OY4LPL5maWowgn3lyCWfglqEgWkJX9tGvHs_He2auBiG_bKtqY8rrq32wmr-pA_XnkL6P0_OJuwwnkJT4NslJ9XhQx_5q5EufpzjAN_y8I0PXld58Rhgo7tnT6W-821nDM3kf-lO6WWoHso_nS82Ui_5D0%3D">70 percent</a>&nbsp;of voters across all demographics agree that providing school choice for all students is an issue that needs attention.<figure>
 <img src="" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Anthony J. de Nicola, Chairman of the Board of Invest in Education Coalition, said:“We are very pleased to have the support and leadership of Sen. Ricketts of Nebraska for the Educational Choice for Children Act, as he understands the vital importance of empowering parents to access the highest quality, most suitable K-12 education available for their children.“We commend Sen. Ricketts for his foresight and courage in championing K-12 education reform, and we look forward to working alongside him to make parental choice a reality for every child in Nebraska and across America.“Invest in Education Coalition is proud to endorse Senator Pete Ricketts from the Cornhusker State of Nebraska.”To learn more, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=e770575bdb7349bca315370c0b23aaa0&amp;_e=Yll8CHaTlKpT5Yt-1MgjY1BiAXyQ-vjLndktaoLMi_cXdpbacSKF1PDcNL0j_TIgKEdbikvmrjyeyAQGg3wO7NV_litoksUmYvAerzndG6G4fVrMhRYzmeE8ICybqXqjCJvdcwBNcbW0u3BOZ2fyEDs2rGqmxlxQjU9m3IaGGO0S39qo4Vnl2Jg552LaK2OP99BvEiz8OV5HGHLMaq4YPw%3D%3D">investineducation.org</a>&nbsp;For more information on the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), please click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=e770575bdb7349bca315370c0b23aaa0&amp;_e=Yll8CHaTlKpT5Yt-1MgjY1BiAXyQ-vjLndktaoLMi_dpXsCqMAGC0bo0pbj_bcSym0TyYw5bCgJ6W7s9g8cSic406keeE3_BF6ETczLd11q36kOzd_3ABjsHH72qmC5Dlxj0wrRn5u1rifx6qN3A_tXJ6NkSHxYD8rWyQ7W2KznD71kvgEupWao-JWdTFvKJGDiN8nOWplCgZ3obKsIb8mCO4SoY5wZlKAFWxDFZPng%3D">here</a>.About Invest in Education CoalitionInvest in Education Coalition is a 501(c)(4) organization that advocates at the federal level for legislation that will directly empower K-12 parents throughout the nation to choose the best school or education service for their children.&nbsp;Invest in Education Coalition is the only national organization exclusively dedicated to advancing school choice at the federal level, working to make this goal a reality for children in all 50 states.&nbsp;We believe that K-12 parents should have the power to choose the best educational options for their own children.&nbsp;Simply put, parents should decide where their child’s education dollars are spent.&nbsp;

National School Choice Advocates Endorse Sen. Ricketts from Nebraska

WASHINGTON, DC –&nbsp;Invest in Education Coalition,&nbsp;a national organization dedicated to advancing school choice at the federal level, endorsed&nbsp;Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE-3), in his re-election bid today.

Rep. Smith was one of the original sponsors to introduce the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), a bill that is designed to expand access to school choice for children nationwide by funding K-12 scholarships through private donations that cover essential elements such as tuition, tutoring and special needs services.

Earlier this month, the ECCA&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=95e5e19631774888800445e25020cf03&amp;_e=2xq3lASpeSwVXctMXaet80ZbRShEYEdJrCiAnoafl7Xn84a9GffJWI8YhhUfDnVI_e82GchoWSnTaDzjzQUKc4x5m6Nc50BtO5UC0yOns4_3brMZrBsQd4MNsiFCaIwtmpnxg6vamJn5H7ZMPIpZB6Rp-wEZ4SdJ4mBIs1dGoCcf0jTSSiKtg_9ZOIRPzv7AXFP3tjESjoygRffYjh-GSVHNCogTPuiznTE31VFksweIbnYOJbwQwwAEWeOhYqJgSMxxbkTnBYIEzRDdhbb0s35nY0Dr2EdEIE-ad74aXdrGqigChFGZZKUga2TOnP9qG_KPPblr_Twy6f2lePWxQ9EbXaq3jyKHfwZNhJB7x0cPHYHcuLLQd6TlXvhxk5FhhooosHWW9gzTE2phqBzcWENDaJIs1mlo-gkiT6IkYdTJpaERXE5u2_5EIlHdCzDlILwY3sLYyXIk24sXrpZD1uoGBkGvBQx09t1MfaCg0mbTnEC15xqSk0ri-I55ZukKdqTW5GWqc66IBe6KkVr-RnkZ0cWucWbwlr0gd92KCumYzdRd7TkO9vbVZJaoquh-b2NMgGxByYL9mTP1htzXYaOooiwA4qI6tnFCQpCHjRMeFnmWhigE44ug6iB8SnCDfj5ZtY3CKFdWcTzwSkjZ62onzLYt0ihKJ2xv2t-jZueQhQgwetAzGAZokjZShibFgwUBpMG6rNul31DwcC8WcgnaG6rEhov3spObSYo-92c0A8YzKFskeRhs5iopqRVA9ty7QltbQro9deL4MimPMwYlwi2XEYJjeyd0I3-9XDg%3D">passed</a>&nbsp;out of the House Ways &amp; Means Committee and now heads to the House Floor. This comes as the Republican National Committee has named school choice as one of their priorities in its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=95e5e19631774888800445e25020cf03&amp;_e=2xq3lASpeSwVXctMXaet8_gM6EpdhsfkGWf9Yy-hLvQ_-4U2Zy10hNO9_EhzXcKAXnju2owbuwgFVqakV9Qoc9L9d-uJoA_MTtRRNBNf67FVzQZt3xsMxhegdy5Oj89EatV9_2TPYZlSGzZn1pBDvrRV5I2l8hCBEhb_2dhhpeSsECGdRwMDwGDBE_zq8CJ7_7UARSWeTUmYVrG8Okvm2XfqoRDCr1i-kayAnx1qQDUWGXnKv7_UyoJEBnfbiYPCNXxt3t9gQVhoDX4-iG5COg%3D%3D">2024 Republican Platform</a>. A recent national survey shows more than&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=95e5e19631774888800445e25020cf03&amp;_e=2xq3lASpeSwVXctMXaet81n8d6qBPKVAnwOC5dbgcOnrcMqx-5rCOIEVA1bdS9vTINrqHE5wTv14WEP8w09wNxwNJPLy58MmEoNVTgPz7IsnGAuSp_2GXQXjOOgDjWjC8cbZ8xeHm7rt_TNopZH7f1paNxzEPWsx8msGp3RE5IpvYol56oW4mP0cafzrn4A9j8Z51dtNy1HOxa1NEiBoqeymjqsiTpZv83OBwCIA5DDEeYmgFvYdTLyWC3vhLUJEMO_ACX5RugygHN7-kGw1E94PQw9xBq83-ANvoLbl5BM%3D">70 percent</a>&nbsp;of voters across all demographics agree that providing school choice for all students is an issue that needs attention.

“We are very pleased to have the support and leadership of Rep. Smith of Nebraska for the Educational Choice for Children Act, as he understands the vital importance of empowering parents to access the highest quality, most suitable K-12 education available for their children.

“We commend Rep. Smith for his foresight and courage in championing K-12 education reform, and we look forward to working alongside him to make parental choice a reality for every child in Nebraska and across America.

“Invest in Education Coalition is proud to endorse Congressman Adrian Smith from the Cornhusker State of Nebraska.”

To learn more, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=95e5e19631774888800445e25020cf03&amp;_e=2xq3lASpeSwVXctMXaet8_gM6EpdhsfkGWf9Yy-hLvStRpEJzzuM4HMYpU6QrlaeRlrp_o1LeFNe_Zjh57Vpw5k5ECQcuid9JaOdGPtPFdqVeHXHebRoZ3Plefdy3hnhI-99FPUClgrtmRszn6de51hyXsbmv5TK8dUIBcbt-CGhDZozqL52eZmh-K3mSqHIiDbBT460L3L_JIRCYgnHug%3D%3D">investineducation.org</a>&nbsp;

For more information on the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), please click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=95e5e19631774888800445e25020cf03&amp;_e=2xq3lASpeSwVXctMXaet8_gM6EpdhsfkGWf9Yy-hLvQ_-4U2Zy10hNO9_EhzXcKA2Ax-iJodkFNZ8OW5GtysecjPooi7b8N0VB5bFoAEVWuJQEwP8tR-4ZZEo9NAU-CjLmYUWRRBH3_Fe_vXttfo_jREFzVQQ--soRPYYtDTKKO8DKctHdWIF__rUobdJaHEzz82cW9f3_Ppc9t9JzD4BCqwUd7Dvn2_YdpJ5ziwDdw%3D">here</a>.

Priscilla Ivasco&nbsp;WASHINGTON, DC –&nbsp;Invest in Education Coalition,&nbsp;a national organization dedicated to advancing school choice at the federal level, endorsed&nbsp;Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE-3), in his re-election bid today.Rep. Smith was one of the original sponsors to introduce the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), a bill that is designed to expand access to school choice for children nationwide by funding K-12 scholarships through private donations that cover essential elements such as tuition, tutoring and special needs services.Earlier this month, the ECCA&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=95e5e19631774888800445e25020cf03&amp;_e=2xq3lASpeSwVXctMXaet80ZbRShEYEdJrCiAnoafl7Xn84a9GffJWI8YhhUfDnVI_e82GchoWSnTaDzjzQUKc4x5m6Nc50BtO5UC0yOns4_3brMZrBsQd4MNsiFCaIwtmpnxg6vamJn5H7ZMPIpZB6Rp-wEZ4SdJ4mBIs1dGoCcf0jTSSiKtg_9ZOIRPzv7AXFP3tjESjoygRffYjh-GSVHNCogTPuiznTE31VFksweIbnYOJbwQwwAEWeOhYqJgSMxxbkTnBYIEzRDdhbb0s35nY0Dr2EdEIE-ad74aXdrGqigChFGZZKUga2TOnP9qG_KPPblr_Twy6f2lePWxQ9EbXaq3jyKHfwZNhJB7x0cPHYHcuLLQd6TlXvhxk5FhhooosHWW9gzTE2phqBzcWENDaJIs1mlo-gkiT6IkYdTJpaERXE5u2_5EIlHdCzDlILwY3sLYyXIk24sXrpZD1uoGBkGvBQx09t1MfaCg0mbTnEC15xqSk0ri-I55ZukKdqTW5GWqc66IBe6KkVr-RnkZ0cWucWbwlr0gd92KCumYzdRd7TkO9vbVZJaoquh-b2NMgGxByYL9mTP1htzXYaOooiwA4qI6tnFCQpCHjRMeFnmWhigE44ug6iB8SnCDfj5ZtY3CKFdWcTzwSkjZ62onzLYt0ihKJ2xv2t-jZueQhQgwetAzGAZokjZShibFgwUBpMG6rNul31DwcC8WcgnaG6rEhov3spObSYo-92c0A8YzKFskeRhs5iopqRVA9ty7QltbQro9deL4MimPMwYlwi2XEYJjeyd0I3-9XDg%3D">passed</a>&nbsp;out of the House Ways &amp; Means Committee and now heads to the House Floor. This comes as the Republican National Committee has named school choice as one of their priorities in its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=95e5e19631774888800445e25020cf03&amp;_e=2xq3lASpeSwVXctMXaet8_gM6EpdhsfkGWf9Yy-hLvQ_-4U2Zy10hNO9_EhzXcKAXnju2owbuwgFVqakV9Qoc9L9d-uJoA_MTtRRNBNf67FVzQZt3xsMxhegdy5Oj89EatV9_2TPYZlSGzZn1pBDvrRV5I2l8hCBEhb_2dhhpeSsECGdRwMDwGDBE_zq8CJ7_7UARSWeTUmYVrG8Okvm2XfqoRDCr1i-kayAnx1qQDUWGXnKv7_UyoJEBnfbiYPCNXxt3t9gQVhoDX4-iG5COg%3D%3D">2024 Republican Platform</a>. A recent national survey shows more than&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=95e5e19631774888800445e25020cf03&amp;_e=2xq3lASpeSwVXctMXaet81n8d6qBPKVAnwOC5dbgcOnrcMqx-5rCOIEVA1bdS9vTINrqHE5wTv14WEP8w09wNxwNJPLy58MmEoNVTgPz7IsnGAuSp_2GXQXjOOgDjWjC8cbZ8xeHm7rt_TNopZH7f1paNxzEPWsx8msGp3RE5IpvYol56oW4mP0cafzrn4A9j8Z51dtNy1HOxa1NEiBoqeymjqsiTpZv83OBwCIA5DDEeYmgFvYdTLyWC3vhLUJEMO_ACX5RugygHN7-kGw1E94PQw9xBq83-ANvoLbl5BM%3D">70 percent</a>&nbsp;of voters across all demographics agree that providing school choice for all students is an issue that needs attention.<figure>
 <img src="" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Anthony J. de Nicola, Chairman of the Board of Invest in Education Coalition, said:“We are very pleased to have the support and leadership of Rep. Smith of Nebraska for the Educational Choice for Children Act, as he understands the vital importance of empowering parents to access the highest quality, most suitable K-12 education available for their children.“We commend Rep. Smith for his foresight and courage in championing K-12 education reform, and we look forward to working alongside him to make parental choice a reality for every child in Nebraska and across America.“Invest in Education Coalition is proud to endorse Congressman Adrian Smith from the Cornhusker State of Nebraska.”To learn more, please visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=95e5e19631774888800445e25020cf03&amp;_e=2xq3lASpeSwVXctMXaet8_gM6EpdhsfkGWf9Yy-hLvStRpEJzzuM4HMYpU6QrlaeRlrp_o1LeFNe_Zjh57Vpw5k5ECQcuid9JaOdGPtPFdqVeHXHebRoZ3Plefdy3hnhI-99FPUClgrtmRszn6de51hyXsbmv5TK8dUIBcbt-CGhDZozqL52eZmh-K3mSqHIiDbBT460L3L_JIRCYgnHug%3D%3D">investineducation.org</a>&nbsp;For more information on the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), please click&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links.iterable.com/u/click?_t=4cb001c262fa4d838325b9090fa826bf&amp;_m=95e5e19631774888800445e25020cf03&amp;_e=2xq3lASpeSwVXctMXaet8_gM6EpdhsfkGWf9Yy-hLvQ_-4U2Zy10hNO9_EhzXcKA2Ax-iJodkFNZ8OW5GtysecjPooi7b8N0VB5bFoAEVWuJQEwP8tR-4ZZEo9NAU-CjLmYUWRRBH3_Fe_vXttfo_jREFzVQQ--soRPYYtDTKKO8DKctHdWIF__rUobdJaHEzz82cW9f3_Ppc9t9JzD4BCqwUd7Dvn2_YdpJ5ziwDdw%3D">here</a>.About Invest in Education CoalitionInvest in Education Coalition is a 501(c)(4) organization that advocates at the federal level for legislation that will directly empower K-12 parents throughout the nation to choose the best school or education service for their children.&nbsp;Invest in Education Coalition is the only national organization exclusively dedicated to advancing school choice at the federal level, working to make this goal a reality for children in all 50 states.&nbsp;We believe that K-12 parents should have the power to choose the best educational options for their own children.&nbsp;Simply put, parents should decide where their child’s education dollars are spent.&nbsp;

National School Choice Advocates Endorse Rep. Smith from Nebraska

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/23/ne-auditor-auburn-returns-658003-after-tif-practices-are-questioned/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — The City of Auburn has returned $658,003 to the public coffers after a state auditor team questioned certain practices used for tax-increment financing projects, Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2024/CV9309-09232024-City_of_Auburn_Press_Release.pdf" target="_blank">announced Monday.</a>

The questions were laid out in a 13-page&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2024/CV9309-05072024-May_7_2024_City_of_Auburn_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">letter in May</a>&nbsp;from Foley’s office to Auburn’s mayor, the city’s Community Redevelopment Authority and the chairman of the Nemaha County Board.

Foley on Monday reiterated the gist of his concerns<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2024/CV9309-09232024-City_of_Auburn_Press_Release.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;in a news release</a>&nbsp;and during an interview with the Nebraska Examiner.

He alleges that Auburn’s Community Redevelopment Authority collected more tax-increment financing (TIF) revenue than it should have for certain redevelopment projects and then retained those funds to pay the costs of different projects, some of which had yet to be hatched.

“The purpose of TIF is to pay the costs of a specific redevelopment project with the increased property taxes resulting from the improvements to that particular parcel of land,” Foley said. “It is not to allow developers to collect excess property taxes for a slush fund to bankroll some other undertaking.”

Generally with TIF projects, which require a city’s approval, property tax revenue generated on new development is used for up to 20 years to cover a developer’s eligible costs — instead of going to traditional recipients such as school districts and local municipalities.

Meanwhile, property tax on the original site, prior to any improvements, continues to be paid by the owner but is frozen at that amount. Those payments continue to go to the usual destination for property taxes: schools and local governments.

After the TIF loan is paid off, all property tax revenues on that more valuable property is to start flowing to traditional recipients.

Crystal Dunekacke, Auburn city administrator and economic developer, said Monday that the returned funds should not be considered an admission of wrongdoing.

She said the redevelopment authority maintains that it has abided by the Community Development Law, which governs tax-increment financing. TIF, as the tool is called, is a decades-old financing mechanism used by local governments to incentivize economic development in blighted areas.

The returned funds, Dunekacke said, were a “self-imposed action or compromise to address a gray area” of the law.

That gray area, she said, centered on whether TIF revenue that remained from a redevelopment project could be “rolled over” into an account to be used for other projects.&nbsp;

Foley said Auburn officials can have their say. “The reality is they put the money back where it belonged.”

Both sides are in agreement that the $658,003 will be divided among local governmental subdivisions that are traditional recipients of property tax collections.

Broader concerns remain statewide, Foley said, and were laid out in a separate but&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2024/CV0001-09102024-September_10_2024_TIF_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">related letter earlier this month</a>&nbsp;to state senators regarding the growth of TIF.

Foley said some Nebraska communities are being “very creative” with the way they tap TIF and he asserts that certain practices risk further upward pressure on local property taxes.

Foley noted, though, that state statutes say that the TIF law is to be “liberally construed.”&nbsp;

“That is an open invitation for, as some would say, creativity. Others would say mischief-making,” he said.&nbsp;

Foley pointed again Monday to the City of Omaha’s use of TIF to cover the $389 million cost of a modern streetcar project set to be up and running in 2027.&nbsp;

He has referred to the streetcar as the “largest diversion of property tax dollars for an economic development project in Nebraska history.”

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert has said that Omaha has followed the law with regard to its TIF-approved projects, including the streetcar.

“While the State Auditor may have an issue with TIF, the city has followed the law as set out by the Legislature,” Stothert said earlier.

Foley said his team can report results of their investigation. It can not enforce a penalty, he said. It would be up to the State Legislature, Foley said, to determine if the law should be changed.

“Cities are desperate to clean up blighted areas and incentivize economic development. That is all good,” Foley said. “We may have reached a point where things are getting a little out of control.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727186561904.jpeg" alt=" The Nebraska State Auditor’s Office is located in the State Capitol. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> The Nebraska State Auditor’s Office is located in the State Capitol. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/23/ne-auditor-auburn-returns-658003-after-tif-practices-are-questioned/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — The City of Auburn has returned $658,003 to the public coffers after a state auditor team questioned certain practices used for tax-increment financing projects, Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2024/CV9309-09232024-City_of_Auburn_Press_Release.pdf" target="_blank">announced Monday.</a>The questions were laid out in a 13-page&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2024/CV9309-05072024-May_7_2024_City_of_Auburn_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">letter in May</a>&nbsp;from Foley’s office to Auburn’s mayor, the city’s Community Redevelopment Authority and the chairman of the Nemaha County Board.Foley on Monday reiterated the gist of his concerns<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2024/CV9309-09232024-City_of_Auburn_Press_Release.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;in a news release</a>&nbsp;and during an interview with the Nebraska Examiner.He alleges that Auburn’s Community Redevelopment Authority collected more tax-increment financing (TIF) revenue than it should have for certain redevelopment projects and then retained those funds to pay the costs of different projects, some of which had yet to be hatched.“The purpose of TIF is to pay the costs of a specific redevelopment project with the increased property taxes resulting from the improvements to that particular parcel of land,” Foley said. “It is not to allow developers to collect excess property taxes for a slush fund to bankroll some other undertaking.”<h2>What is TIF?</h2>Generally with TIF projects, which require a city’s approval, property tax revenue generated on new development is used for up to 20 years to cover a developer’s eligible costs — instead of going to traditional recipients such as school districts and local municipalities.Meanwhile, property tax on the original site, prior to any improvements, continues to be paid by the owner but is frozen at that amount. Those payments continue to go to the usual destination for property taxes: schools and local governments.After the TIF loan is paid off, all property tax revenues on that more valuable property is to start flowing to traditional recipients.<h2>Not an admission of guilt</h2>Crystal Dunekacke, Auburn city administrator and economic developer, said Monday that the returned funds should not be considered an admission of wrongdoing.She said the redevelopment authority maintains that it has abided by the Community Development Law, which governs tax-increment financing. TIF, as the tool is called, is a decades-old financing mechanism used by local governments to incentivize economic development in blighted areas.The returned funds, Dunekacke said, were a “self-imposed action or compromise to address a gray area” of the law.That gray area, she said, centered on whether TIF revenue that remained from a redevelopment project could be “rolled over” into an account to be used for other projects.&nbsp;Foley said Auburn officials can have their say. “The reality is they put the money back where it belonged.”Both sides are in agreement that the $658,003 will be divided among local governmental subdivisions that are traditional recipients of property tax collections.<h2>Satewide concerns loom</h2>Broader concerns remain statewide, Foley said, and were laid out in a separate but&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2024/CV0001-09102024-September_10_2024_TIF_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">related letter earlier this month</a>&nbsp;to state senators regarding the growth of TIF.Foley said some Nebraska communities are being “very creative” with the way they tap TIF and he asserts that certain practices risk further upward pressure on local property taxes.Foley noted, though, that state statutes say that the TIF law is to be “liberally construed.”&nbsp;“That is an open invitation for, as some would say, creativity. Others would say mischief-making,” he said.&nbsp;Foley pointed again Monday to the City of Omaha’s use of TIF to cover the $389 million cost of a modern streetcar project set to be up and running in 2027.&nbsp;He has referred to the streetcar as the “largest diversion of property tax dollars for an economic development project in Nebraska history.”Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert has said that Omaha has followed the law with regard to its TIF-approved projects, including the streetcar.“While the State Auditor may have an issue with TIF, the city has followed the law as set out by the Legislature,” Stothert said earlier.<h2>In Legislature’s court</h2>Foley said his team can report results of their investigation. It can not enforce a penalty, he said. It would be up to the State Legislature, Foley said, to determine if the law should be changed.“Cities are desperate to clean up blighted areas and incentivize economic development. That is all good,” Foley said. “We may have reached a point where things are getting a little out of control.”

NE Auditor: Auburn returns $658,003 after TIF practices are questioned

Office of U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

&nbsp; WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Nebraska’s proposal for $405,281,070 in broadband&nbsp;deployment&nbsp;funding through the BEAD program.

The funding for this program was initially provided by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, which Senator Fischer&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2021/8/senate-passes-bipartisan-core-infrastructure-bill">supported</a>. However, the Biden-Harris administration rejected Nebraska’s earlier proposals to access this funding due to its own agency rules, which deviated from the law Congress passed. Those rejections, combined with a slow rollout at NTIA, delayed funding delivery.

Senator Fischer has worked with NTIA and Nebraska’s Broadband Office to facilitate better communication from the federal agency and ensure acceptance of the State’s proposal, which was finally announced on Wednesday.

Ultimate release of funding to the state still depends on a final proposal that will detail the funding distribution process.

“All Nebraskans need internet access, so I’m very pleased that Nebraska’s proposal for this broadband buildout funding has finally been accepted. I’d like to thank Patrick Haggerty and the Nebraska Broadband Office for their hard work in reaching this milestone. I will continue to support the advancement of Nebraska’s final proposal in the upcoming year so that we can finally bring&nbsp;this funding home,”&nbsp;said Senator Fischer.

“This is a historic federal investment for our state, and the Nebraska Broadband Office carefully gathered feedback statewide to draft this proposal. We are grateful for Senator Fischer’s dedication to expanding broadband access for every Nebraskan, and we are confident that this proposal will achieve that shared goal,”&nbsp;said Patrick Haggerty, State Broadband Director, Nebraska Broadband Office.Background:

During a Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing&nbsp;in May, Senator Fischer pressed Commerce Department Secretary Gina Raimondo&nbsp;on&nbsp;NTIA’s misguided&nbsp;rate regulation efforts,&nbsp;which caused the proposal rejections.

Senator Fischer also joined her Senate colleagues in sending a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/5da5e84c-6a0b-4d53-b3a2-5ad6bc08e333/holding-vice-president-harris-accountable.pdf">letter to Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;regarding her mismanagement of federal broadband initiatives,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/president-biden-taps-kamala-harris-to-lead-effort-to-close-digital-divide/">which President Biden specifically tasked her to manage</a>.

Senator Fischer also sent letters to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/2215898a-091c-4b08-8fae-c261d06a4880/letter-to-ntia.pdf">NTIA</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/2c3ff0aa-e394-4317-b68f-472f1cc5109a/letter-to-commerce-department.pdf">Commerce Department</a>&nbsp;voicing concerns with the&nbsp;Biden-Harris&nbsp;administration’s&nbsp;additional barriers and hurdles to federal broadband deployment programs. The additional requirements not only went beyond Congress’ direction,&nbsp;but also delayed internet services to unserved and underserved Americans.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Office of U.S. Senator Deb Fischer&nbsp; WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has accepted Nebraska’s proposal for $405,281,070 in broadband&nbsp;deployment&nbsp;funding through the BEAD program.The funding for this program was initially provided by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, which Senator Fischer&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2021/8/senate-passes-bipartisan-core-infrastructure-bill">supported</a>. However, the Biden-Harris administration rejected Nebraska’s earlier proposals to access this funding due to its own agency rules, which deviated from the law Congress passed. Those rejections, combined with a slow rollout at NTIA, delayed funding delivery.Senator Fischer has worked with NTIA and Nebraska’s Broadband Office to facilitate better communication from the federal agency and ensure acceptance of the State’s proposal, which was finally announced on Wednesday.Ultimate release of funding to the state still depends on a final proposal that will detail the funding distribution process.“All Nebraskans need internet access, so I’m very pleased that Nebraska’s proposal for this broadband buildout funding has finally been accepted. I’d like to thank Patrick Haggerty and the Nebraska Broadband Office for their hard work in reaching this milestone. I will continue to support the advancement of Nebraska’s final proposal in the upcoming year so that we can finally bring&nbsp;this funding home,”&nbsp;said Senator Fischer.“This is a historic federal investment for our state, and the Nebraska Broadband Office carefully gathered feedback statewide to draft this proposal. We are grateful for Senator Fischer’s dedication to expanding broadband access for every Nebraskan, and we are confident that this proposal will achieve that shared goal,”&nbsp;said Patrick Haggerty, State Broadband Director, Nebraska Broadband Office.Background:During a Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing&nbsp;in May, Senator Fischer pressed Commerce Department Secretary Gina Raimondo&nbsp;on&nbsp;NTIA’s misguided&nbsp;rate regulation efforts,&nbsp;which caused the proposal rejections.Senator Fischer also joined her Senate colleagues in sending a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/5da5e84c-6a0b-4d53-b3a2-5ad6bc08e333/holding-vice-president-harris-accountable.pdf">letter to Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;regarding her mismanagement of federal broadband initiatives,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/president-biden-taps-kamala-harris-to-lead-effort-to-close-digital-divide/">which President Biden specifically tasked her to manage</a>.Senator Fischer also sent letters to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/2215898a-091c-4b08-8fae-c261d06a4880/letter-to-ntia.pdf">NTIA</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/2c3ff0aa-e394-4317-b68f-472f1cc5109a/letter-to-commerce-department.pdf">Commerce Department</a>&nbsp;voicing concerns with the&nbsp;Biden-Harris&nbsp;administration’s&nbsp;additional barriers and hurdles to federal broadband deployment programs. The additional requirements not only went beyond Congress’ direction,&nbsp;but also delayed internet services to unserved and underserved Americans.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fischer Announces Advancement of Nearly Half Billion in NE Broadband Funding

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;-

WASHINGTON — The country’s next president will need a friendly Congress to make their policy dreams a reality, but control of the two chambers remains deeply uncertain with just weeks until Election Day — and whether the outcome will be a party trifecta in the nation’s capital.

Recent projections tilt in favor of Republicans taking the U.S. Senate, an already closely divided chamber that is sure to be near evenly split again next Congress.

And though Vice President Kamala Harris injected a jolt of energy into the Democratic Party, prognosticators still say the prizewinner of the House is anybody’s guess.

“The House is highly close and competitive, and really could go either way.&nbsp; And I say the same thing about the presidential race,” Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, told States Newsroom on Thursday.

A ‘district-by-district slug fest’&nbsp;

Control of the 435-seat House remains a toss-up, with competitive races in both the seven swing states and in states that will almost certainly have no bearing on who wins the top of the ticket.

Sabato’s, an election prognosticator, currently ranks nine Republican seats of the roughly 30 competitive races as “toss-up” seats for the party — meaning the GOP incumbents are locked in competitive races.

The GOP has held a slim majority this Congress, and Democrats only need to net four seats to gain control.

“It really is right on the razor’s edge,” Kondik said. “It’s pretty crazy that, you know, we’ve had two straight elections with just 222-seat majorities. And it’s pretty rare historically for there to be, you know, majorities that small twice in a row — unprecedented.

“Usually you’d have one side or the other breaking out to a bigger advantage, and I think both sides are viewing this, really, as a district-by-district slug fest.”

Sabato’s&nbsp;<a href="https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/five-house-ratings-changes-as-overall-battle-for-majority-remains-tight/" target="_blank">adjusted its ratings</a>&nbsp;on five races Thursday, including moving Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/08/21/peltola-leads-in-alaska-u-s-house-primary-with-begich-ahead-of-dahlstrom/" target="_blank">Rep. Mary Peltola</a>&nbsp;of Alaska to the “toss-up” category from a safer “leans Democratic.” Kondik also nudged the race for Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York to “leans Republican” from “toss up.”

“The big ones are probably Peltola, and then Mike Lawler, who holds one of the bluest seats held by a Republican, but I moved him to ‘leans R.’ It seems pretty clear to me that he’s in a decent position,” Kondik said.

The National Republican Congressional Committee, the party’s fundraising arm for House races, announced in June nearly $1.2 million in ad buys in Alaska. The organization launched a new ad in the state this month that accuses Peltola of not supporting veterans.

In addition to Peltola, Kondik ranks nine other Democratic incumbents — of the nearly 40 competitive races — as toss-ups.

Among the toss-ups is the seat currently held by Rep. Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania, a key swing state in the presidential race. Cartwright’s Republican challenger, Rob Bresnahan, runs an electrical contracting company in the northeastern Pennsylvania district that he took over from his grandfather.

Democrats are investing in the seat: Cartwright is running a new ad featuring union workers praising him, and just last week Harris hosted a rally in the district, which includes Scranton.

But the NRCC thinks they have a pretty good chance of flipping his seat.

Breshnahan’s company is “a union shop,” said NRCC head Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina. “So he can talk union talk. He’s a great candidate for us.”

“Matt Cartwright is in trouble,” Hudson said on the conservative “Ruthless Podcast” on Sept. 12.

“I think the way we’ve structured it, the type of candidates we recruited across the country, from Maine to Alaska, from Minnesota to Texas, regardless of top of the ticket, we’re going to pick up seats,” Hudson said.

But Sabato’s also nudged three seats toward the Democrats’ favor on Thursday.

Kondik moved Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin from the safety of “likely Republican” to the weaker “leans Republican” category.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, sees an “important opportunity” in Van Orden’s district. The GOP congressman, who represents central and western Wisconsin, became known for his profanity-laced&nbsp;<a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/report-van-orden-curses-out-group-of-teenage-congressional-pages/" target="_blank">outburst</a>&nbsp;at young Senate pages for taking photos of the Capitol rotunda.

The Democrats are running challenger Rebecca Cooke, a small business owner, in the hopes of unseating him.

“We have an incredible candidate in Rebecca Cooke (against) one of the most extreme, which is saying a lot, Republicans in the House,” DelBene told reporters on a call Monday.

“We have put Rebecca Cooke on our Red-to-Blue list and are strongly supporting her campaign. She’s doing a great job, and this absolutely is a priority for us,” DelBene said, referring to the DCCC’s list of 30 candidates that receive extra fundraising support.

DelBene said she’s confident in the Democrats’ chances to flip the House, citing healthy coffers and revived interest.

“We have seen huge enthusiasm all across the country. We have seen people, more and more people turning out to volunteer, to knock on doors, to make phone calls,” she said.

Democrats’ cash ‘flooding,’ NRCC chief says

Erin Covey, a House analyst with The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/house/house-overview/house-ratings-changes-several-races-move-democrats-favor" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 5 that Democrats have a brighter outlook after Harris assumed the top of the ticket, though November remains a close call.

“Now, polling conducted by both parties largely shows Harris matching, or coming a few points short of, Biden’s 2020 margins across competitive House districts,” Covey wrote.

The NRCC has taken note. During his interview on the “Ruthless Podcast,” Hudson compared Harris becoming the Democrats’ new choice for president as a “bloodless coup,” and said the enthusiasm she’s sparked is a cause for concern for Republicans. Democratic delegates nominated Harris, in accordance with party rules, to run for the Oval Office after Biden dropped out in late July.

“A lot of people, even Democrats, you know, just weren’t comfortable voting for Joe Biden. With Kamala on the ticket, we saw a surge in Democrats coming home and having the enthusiasm,” Hudson said.

Hudson said he also worries about Democrats’ fundraising numbers.

“The one thing that keeps you awake at night is the Democrat money. It’s flooding,” Hudson said. “The second quarter this year I was able to raise the most money we’ve ever raised as a committee, and the Democrats raised $7 million more. I mean, it’s just, they just keep coming. It’s like the Terminator.”

“But we don’t have to match them dollar for dollar,” Hudson said. “We’ve just got to make sure we’ve got the resources we need. And so we’ve just got to keep our pace.”

The DCCC announced Friday it raised $22.3 million in August, bringing its total for this election cycle to $250.6 million.

Republicans are inching closer and closer to flipping the Senate red during this year’s elections, thanks to a map that favors GOP incumbents and puts Democrats on the defensive in several states.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is widely expected to win his bid for the upper chamber, bringing Republicans up to 50 seats, as long as they hang on in Florida, Nebraska and Texas.

But Democrats will need to secure wins in several challenging states, including Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — and break the 50-50 tie through a Democratic presidency — if they want to remain the majority party.

That many Democratic wins seems increasingly unlikely, though not entirely out of the realm of possibility.

Montana, where Sen. Jon Tester is looking to secure reelection against GOP challenger Tim Sheehy, has been moved from a “toss-up” state to leaning toward Republicans by three respected analysis organizations in the last few weeks.

The Cook Political Report wrote in its ratings change earlier this month that several “public polls have shown Sheehy opening up a small, but consistent lead.”

“Democrats push back that their polling still shows Tester within the margin of error of the race, and that those are exactly the type of close races he’s won before,” their assessment said. “Tester, however, has never run on a presidential ballot in a polarized environment of this kind before — and even with his stumbles, Sheehy is still the strongest, best financed candidate he’s ever faced.”

Republicans winning Montana’s Senate seat could give them a firm, though narrow, 51-seat Senate majority.

That, however, would require the Republican incumbents in states like Florida and Texas — where it’s not clear if evolving trends against Republicans will continue — to secure their reelection wins.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1675989554413.png" alt="-Recent projections tilt in favor of Republicans taking the U.S. Senate, an already closely divided chamber that is sure to be near evenly split again next Congress-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>-Recent projections tilt in favor of Republicans taking the U.S. Senate, an already closely divided chamber that is sure to be near evenly split again next Congress-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp;-WASHINGTON — The country’s next president will need a friendly Congress to make their policy dreams a reality, but control of the two chambers remains deeply uncertain with just weeks until Election Day — and whether the outcome will be a party trifecta in the nation’s capital.Recent projections tilt in favor of Republicans taking the U.S. Senate, an already closely divided chamber that is sure to be near evenly split again next Congress.And though Vice President Kamala Harris injected a jolt of energy into the Democratic Party, prognosticators still say the prizewinner of the House is anybody’s guess.“The House is highly close and competitive, and really could go either way.&nbsp; And I say the same thing about the presidential race,” Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, told States Newsroom on Thursday.<h2>A ‘district-by-district slug fest’&nbsp;</h2>Control of the 435-seat House remains a toss-up, with competitive races in both the seven swing states and in states that will almost certainly have no bearing on who wins the top of the ticket.Sabato’s, an election prognosticator, currently ranks nine Republican seats of the roughly 30 competitive races as “toss-up” seats for the party — meaning the GOP incumbents are locked in competitive races.The GOP has held a slim majority this Congress, and Democrats only need to net four seats to gain control.“It really is right on the razor’s edge,” Kondik said. “It’s pretty crazy that, you know, we’ve had two straight elections with just 222-seat majorities. And it’s pretty rare historically for there to be, you know, majorities that small twice in a row — unprecedented.“Usually you’d have one side or the other breaking out to a bigger advantage, and I think both sides are viewing this, really, as a district-by-district slug fest.”Sabato’s&nbsp;<a href="https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/five-house-ratings-changes-as-overall-battle-for-majority-remains-tight/" target="_blank">adjusted its ratings</a>&nbsp;on five races Thursday, including moving Democratic&nbsp;<a href="https://alaskabeacon.com/2024/08/21/peltola-leads-in-alaska-u-s-house-primary-with-begich-ahead-of-dahlstrom/" target="_blank">Rep. Mary Peltola</a>&nbsp;of Alaska to the “toss-up” category from a safer “leans Democratic.” Kondik also nudged the race for Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York to “leans Republican” from “toss up.”“The big ones are probably Peltola, and then Mike Lawler, who holds one of the bluest seats held by a Republican, but I moved him to ‘leans R.’ It seems pretty clear to me that he’s in a decent position,” Kondik said.The National Republican Congressional Committee, the party’s fundraising arm for House races, announced in June nearly $1.2 million in ad buys in Alaska. The organization launched a new ad in the state this month that accuses Peltola of not supporting veterans.<h2>It’s always about Pennsylvania</h2>In addition to Peltola, Kondik ranks nine other Democratic incumbents — of the nearly 40 competitive races — as toss-ups.Among the toss-ups is the seat currently held by Rep. Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania, a key swing state in the presidential race. Cartwright’s Republican challenger, Rob Bresnahan, runs an electrical contracting company in the northeastern Pennsylvania district that he took over from his grandfather.Democrats are investing in the seat: Cartwright is running a new ad featuring union workers praising him, and just last week Harris hosted a rally in the district, which includes Scranton.But the NRCC thinks they have a pretty good chance of flipping his seat.Breshnahan’s company is “a union shop,” said NRCC head Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina. “So he can talk union talk. He’s a great candidate for us.”“Matt Cartwright is in trouble,” Hudson said on the conservative “Ruthless Podcast” on Sept. 12.“I think the way we’ve structured it, the type of candidates we recruited across the country, from Maine to Alaska, from Minnesota to Texas, regardless of top of the ticket, we’re going to pick up seats,” Hudson said.<h2>Van Orden targeted in Wisconsin</h2>But Sabato’s also nudged three seats toward the Democrats’ favor on Thursday.Kondik moved Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin from the safety of “likely Republican” to the weaker “leans Republican” category.Rep. Suzan DelBene, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, sees an “important opportunity” in Van Orden’s district. The GOP congressman, who represents central and western Wisconsin, became known for his profanity-laced&nbsp;<a href="https://wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/report-van-orden-curses-out-group-of-teenage-congressional-pages/" target="_blank">outburst</a>&nbsp;at young Senate pages for taking photos of the Capitol rotunda.The Democrats are running challenger Rebecca Cooke, a small business owner, in the hopes of unseating him.“We have an incredible candidate in Rebecca Cooke (against) one of the most extreme, which is saying a lot, Republicans in the House,” DelBene told reporters on a call Monday.“We have put Rebecca Cooke on our Red-to-Blue list and are strongly supporting her campaign. She’s doing a great job, and this absolutely is a priority for us,” DelBene said, referring to the DCCC’s list of 30 candidates that receive extra fundraising support.DelBene said she’s confident in the Democrats’ chances to flip the House, citing healthy coffers and revived interest.“We have seen huge enthusiasm all across the country. We have seen people, more and more people turning out to volunteer, to knock on doors, to make phone calls,” she said.<h2>Democrats’ cash ‘flooding,’ NRCC chief says</h2>Erin Covey, a House analyst with The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/house/house-overview/house-ratings-changes-several-races-move-democrats-favor" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 5 that Democrats have a brighter outlook after Harris assumed the top of the ticket, though November remains a close call.“Now, polling conducted by both parties largely shows Harris matching, or coming a few points short of, Biden’s 2020 margins across competitive House districts,” Covey wrote.The NRCC has taken note. During his interview on the “Ruthless Podcast,” Hudson compared Harris becoming the Democrats’ new choice for president as a “bloodless coup,” and said the enthusiasm she’s sparked is a cause for concern for Republicans. Democratic delegates nominated Harris, in accordance with party rules, to run for the Oval Office after Biden dropped out in late July.“A lot of people, even Democrats, you know, just weren’t comfortable voting for Joe Biden. With Kamala on the ticket, we saw a surge in Democrats coming home and having the enthusiasm,” Hudson said.Hudson said he also worries about Democrats’ fundraising numbers.“The one thing that keeps you awake at night is the Democrat money. It’s flooding,” Hudson said. “The second quarter this year I was able to raise the most money we’ve ever raised as a committee, and the Democrats raised $7 million more. I mean, it’s just, they just keep coming. It’s like the Terminator.”“But we don’t have to match them dollar for dollar,” Hudson said. “We’ve just got to make sure we’ve got the resources we need. And so we’ve just got to keep our pace.”The DCCC announced Friday it raised $22.3 million in August, bringing its total for this election cycle to $250.6 million.<h2>Senate map tilts toward GOP</h2>Republicans are inching closer and closer to flipping the Senate red during this year’s elections, thanks to a map that favors GOP incumbents and puts Democrats on the defensive in several states.West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is widely expected to win his bid for the upper chamber, bringing Republicans up to 50 seats, as long as they hang on in Florida, Nebraska and Texas.But Democrats will need to secure wins in several challenging states, including Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — and break the 50-50 tie through a Democratic presidency — if they want to remain the majority party.That many Democratic wins seems increasingly unlikely, though not entirely out of the realm of possibility.Montana, where Sen. Jon Tester is looking to secure reelection against GOP challenger Tim Sheehy, has been moved from a “toss-up” state to leaning toward Republicans by three respected analysis organizations in the last few weeks.The Cook Political Report wrote in its ratings change earlier this month that several “public polls have shown Sheehy opening up a small, but consistent lead.”“Democrats push back that their polling still shows Tester within the margin of error of the race, and that those are exactly the type of close races he’s won before,” their assessment said. “Tester, however, has never run on a presidential ballot in a polarized environment of this kind before — and even with his stumbles, Sheehy is still the strongest, best financed candidate he’s ever faced.”Republicans winning Montana’s Senate seat could give them a firm, though narrow, 51-seat Senate majority.<h2>Florida, Texas, Nebraska</h2>That, however, would require the Republican incumbents in states like Florida and Texas — where it’s not clear if evolving trends against Republicans will continue — to secure their reelection wins.And it would mean holding off a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/03/fischer-and-osborn-hint-at-tight-race-as-both-tout-union-endorsements/" target="_blank">wild card independent candidate&nbsp;</a>in the Cornhusker state.The Cook Political Report says it’s “worth keeping an eye on a unique situation developing in Nebraska, where independent candidate Dan Osborn is challenging Republican Sen. Deb Fischer.”CPR also noted in its analysis that Democrats’ best pick-up opportunities, which could rebalance the scales a bit, are Florida and Texas.“Today, the Lone Star State looks like the better option because of the strengths and fundraising of Democrats’ challenger there, Rep. Colin Allred,” CPR wrote.If Democrats do hold onto 50 seats, through whatever combination of wins and losses shakes out on election night, majority control would depend on whichever candidate wins the presidential contest.Given the close nature of several Senate races, it is entirely possible control of that chamber isn’t known until after recounts take place in the swing states.Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Gary Peters, D-Mich., said during a Christian Science Monitor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?538456-1/christian-science-monitor-breakfast-senator-gary-peters" target="_blank">breakfast</a>&nbsp;this week that he’s known all along Democratic candidates will be in “very right races.”“In a nutshell, I’m optimistic,” Peters said. “I believe we’re going to hold the majority. I feel good about where we are. We’re basically where I thought we would be after Labor Day in really tight races. None of this is a surprise to us. Now we just have to run our playbook, be focused, be disciplined.”The National Republican Senatorial Committee, led this cycle by Montana Sen. Steve Daines, is confident the GOP will pick up the Senate majority following November’s elections.The group highlighted a Washington Post poll this week showing a tie between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and GOP candidate Dave McCormick in the Pennsylvania Senate race.NRSC Spokesman Philip Letsou sent out a written statement after the poll’s release that Casey is in the “race for his life…because Pennsylvania voters know Casey’s lockstep support for Kamala Harris and her inflationary, anti-fracking agenda will devastate their economy. Pennsylvanians have had enough of liberal, career politicians like Casey and Harris.”<h2>No change in filibuster in sight</h2>The GOP acquisition of a handful of seats would still require the next Republican leader to constantly broker deals with Democrats, since the chamber is widely expected to retain the legislative filibuster.That rule requires at least 60 senators vote to advance legislation toward final passage and is the main reason the chamber rarely takes up partisan bills.A Republican sweep of the House, Senate and White House for unified government would give them the chance to pass certain types of legislation through the fast-track budget reconciliation process they used to approve the 2017 tax law.How wide their majorities are in each chamber will determine how much they can do within such a bill, given Republicans will still have centrist members, like Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski and Maine’s Susan Collins, balancing the party against more far-right policy goals.