Nebraskan will be able to place sports bets online under the bill heard by the Legislative Committee on Monday. And the state was able to return to all systems of winners who allocate votes for electoral colleges, under the proposal that advanced to full Congress for debate.
Currently, Nebraskans who want to bet on sports must go to casinos, other states, or illegal betting sites. Under the proposal by Senator Elliot Boster, they could bet online from anywhere in the state. Bostar said a survey by internet security company Geocomply during last football season showed demand for Nebraska’s online sports betting.
“There have been 3.9 million attempts to access regulated online sportsbooks from within Nebraska’s boundaries, and 92% have placed their bets on Iowa at 42,000 border crossings,” he said. Nebraska’s property tax is the highest in the country, and has a major impact on homeowners, farmers and small business owners. Directing revenues from online mobile sports betting to property tax credit funds may provide the necessary relief. ”
Bostar said sports betting will generate $32 million in annual revenue for the state. That amounts to about a sixth percent of property taxes that exceed $5 billion a year.
Among those supporting the proposal was Lance Morgan, CEO of Warhols Games, which runs casinos in Omaha and Lincoln. This proposal will require an online sports betting operation to partner with existing Nebraska casino operators. It was also supported by the Sports Betting Alliance, which includes sports betting companies Fanduel, Draft Kings, MGM, and fanatics.
Opposed to the proposal, Nateglass of the Nebraska Family Alliance said that gambling would hurt children and families by making it more accessible. And he tried to counter the argument that it makes sense for Nebraska to earn revenue from bets that were already taking place.
“It is said that what we do by not legalizing online sports betting is sending revenues across the river. “The clear and growing evidence suggests that this is not the case,” he said. Legalization will dramatically increase access, acceptance and advertising, promoting participation, loss and increased human suffering. ”
The committee also heard from enemies like Jacob Wolf.
Bostal’s proposal is in the form of amendments to the state constitution. In other words, if it is advanced by the committee and approved by Congress, it will be up to the voters to approve or disapprove the measure in next year’s general election.
Also on Monday, the Congressional Government, Military and Veterans Committee advanced its proposal to return Nebraska to all systems of winners who assign votes to the president for election colleges.
Currently, Nebraska is one of two states along with Maine, and does not give all election votes to winners across the state. Instead, the state gives two out of five votes to the person who receives the most votes in the entire state. The other three are given to those who win each of the three council districts. The Democratic presidential candidate has not won a statewide vote since 1964, but has won one vote in the Omaha District 2 in three of the last five elections.
Many Republicans and their office holders support a return to chasing winners, claiming that the current system is diluting Nebraska’s impact. Democrats are opposed to change and argue that the current system better reflects the will of voters.
Republican Gov. Jim Pillen praised the committee’s vote on Monday, calling it “great news for Nebraska.” However, the future of ideas remains uncertain. Officially, nonpartisan Congress has 33 registered Republicans, but to be precise, there is the number needed to overcome the filibuster against the bill. One of those Republicans, Sen. Dave Wardepper, voted to move the bill forward from the committee. But he said that doesn’t necessarily mean he will support it when the full Congress votes on the issue. In a later interview, WordKemper explained his thoughts:
“I know that’s an important issue for some people,” he said. “I think the way we vote now is legal. I think it’s important to hear everyone’s voices. I understand that we don’t do that in other countries, but I think that makes Nebraska unique. It brings a lot of candidates or their representatives to Nebraska. I think it’s important. We’re important here.”
Wordekemper said he prefers another measure that was advanced by the committee, but that would leave it to voters to determine the issue.
In another lawsuit Friday, lawmakers gave final approval to what the current legal interpretation is, and bills that will allow drivers from companies such as Uber, Lyft and Doordash to be considered independent contractors rather than employees. The 33-15 vote was almost strictly along the party line. WordKemper was voted by Sen. Jane Raybould, the only Republican to oppose it and the only Democrat to vote for it.
Details from Ichi-ken:
Senators receive budget warnings and pass multiple bills
Nebraska Senators propose changes to the vote initiative that passed
Senators advance bills on child care subsidies, rural hospitals and pharmacies
Advances in housing assistance for domestic violence survivors discussed by Lincoln East Beltway
School mobile phone restrictions have advanced and power of attorney will be heard
California-style prop tax restrictions have been proposed, and revenue estimates
Senators will consider the pay and term limit for the supervisor
