Andrew Ozaki

Lincoln

Lincoln Bureau Chief at KETV-TV (Omaha, NE)

KETV Capitol Bureau chief, UN-L and Lincoln High Link grad.

Articles

First ever Medical Cannabis Commission meeting set for June 9

2 weeks ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

The new commission that will regulate voter-approved medical cannabis is set to have its first meeting June 9. Gov. Jim Pillen said he's working on appointing the fifth member of that panel. That person will also serve as a Nebraska Liquor Control Commissioner. According to Initiative 438, which was passed by nearly 68% of voters, the new commission has until July 1 to set up rules and regulations for cultivating, processing, distribution and sales of medical cannabis.
Gov. Pillen praises lawmakers on budget other measures in session

2 weeks ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

Nebraska lawmakers are heading home. They adjourned their 90-day Legislative session one day early after passing the final three bills of the session. Senators got word early that Gov. Jim Pillen would not issue any more vetoes this session. In his address to lawmakers, Pillen praised senators for passing a balanced, historically conservative budget package.
'Someone who denies the legitimacy of medical cannabis': Lawmakers confirm Cannabis Commission appointees

2 weeks ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

Nebraska lawmakers confirm Gov. Jim Pillen's two appointees to the new Medical Marijuana Commission. That's a huge piece in allowing the board — which also includes the members of the Liquor Control Commission — to begin writing rules and regulations for the manufacturing, distribution and dispensing of medical marijuana. That's the directive approved by voters.
Nebraska senator introduces, withdraws amendment to voter-approved minimum wage law

2 weeks ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

In Lincoln, lawmakers thwart a third attempt to limit the voter-approved minimum wage law. Legislative Bill 258 would replace cost-of-living increases for minimum wage beginning in 2027 with a fixed 1.75% increase and set up a youth minimum wage. The measure failed to pass a week ago on final reading. An attempt to merge it into Legislative Bill 415, the earned paid sick leave bill, on Wednesday was also unsuccessful. So the sponsor, state Sen.
'This is about public health, human dignity': Lawmakers fail to override governor's veto on bed bug bill

3 weeks ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

Nebraska lawmakers failed to override Gov. Jim Pillen's veto of a bill that would have held the Omaha Housing Authority more accountable for its bed bug infestations. Legislative Bill 287 passed with 34 votes on final reading, but today, it could only muster 24 of the 30 votes it needed. LB 287's sponsor, state Sen. Terrell McKinney, was clearly disappointed.
Time running out for unicameral to consider high-priority bills

3 weeks ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

Five days — that's all that is left for lawmakers in this Legislative session. There are still a number of big issues to be voted on. Senators designated 106 priority bills, not including the budget bills that had to be passed. So far, 39 of those priority measures have been sent to the governor's desk. Two have been vetoed. There are 18 priority bills on final reading and 19 on second round. Last week, Speaker of the Legislature state Sen.
'Just need a good adult': More foster parents needed in Nebraska

3 weeks ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

There's a call for more foster care parents as Nebraska sees a growing number of neglected and abused children, especially teenagers, needing homes. Cedars Youth Services said that they had referrals for 400 foster care kids needing placements in April. "Three-hundred-fifty of those kids were referred the prior month," said Cedars CEO and President Jim Blue. "It's the kids that there are no homes for that come back every month, which causes our heart so much pain," Blue said.
Nebraska lawmakers give failed minimum wage bill second chance

3 weeks ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

A bill to change the voter-approved minimum wage law gets a do-over. Lawmakers dug deep into the rule book and voted to give Legislative Bill 258 a second chance at final reading. Last week, it failed because freshman state Senator Tony Sorrentino missed the vote. "This entire thing that we're doing is a farce, right? They think this entire process that we're going through is giving people a second bite at the apple because they messed up," state Sen. George Dungan said.
Nebraska bill to restore prison and child welfare watchdog powers advances

4 weeks ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

A bill aimed to return the 'investigative bite' to the Legislature's watchdog agencies receives first round approval. Legislative Bill 298 advanced on a 39-3 vote. Speaker John Arch said the compromise measure addresses an Attorney General's opinion two years ago that cast doubt on powers of the inspector generals of child welfare and corrections. "This entire two-year process has been threading the needle. This bill is never going to be perfect. In everybody's eyes.
'Why we're entertaining a massive tax increase': Nebraska lawmakers look at package to reduce property taxes

1 month ago | ketv.com | Andrew Ozaki

Nebraska lawmakers are trying to make one last attempt to provide property tax relief this session. Senators are considering a package that would generate $100 million by removing sales tax exemptions on 18 goods and services and raising taxes on nicotine products. They have just nine days remaining before they adjourn sine die. "I just want everybody in Nebraska to know that next year, property taxes, based on the average for the last several years, will be going up $283 million," state Sen.