LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Prison reform advocates are asking Nebraska lawmakers to end mandatory minimum sentences for certain gun and drug crimes, saying the get-tough-on-crime approach has backfired.

Their comments on Wednesday came as Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha presented a bill to eliminate the minimums for mid-level felony charges.

Chambers says such laws were popular when they were approved, but now the state is dealing with overcrowded prisons.

ACLU of Nebraska lobbyist Alan Peterson says mandatory minimums would help ease prison crowding and give offenders an incentive to behave, because they could qualify right away for good-time credit on their sentences.

Representatives for Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert and the police department oppose the bill, arguing that it would undermine their efforts to clamp down on gun crimes and gang violence.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A watchdog group is criticizing emails that were sent to the personal accounts of Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and other top aides, discussing state business.

Jack Gould of Common Cause Nebraska says all such discussions should take place on state accounts. The emails were obtained by the Nebraska Democratic Party in response to a records request.

The emails were sent last month by Jessica Moenning, a private adviser whom Ricketts pays with his own money. One contained a copy of Ricketts’ State of the State speech; the other discussed a job opening.

Although the emails were released, the arrangement has drawn criticism from groups that say Moenning should be a state employee if she’s advising Ricketts.

Ricketts spokesman Taylor Gage says state employees should use state accounts to conduct business.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska lawmaker who voted to ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is trying to pull the proposal back into committee.

Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha asked the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee to reconsider the bill after it was sent to the floor on a 5-2 vote.

Krist says he had second thoughts Monday evening after another committee member made what he considered offensive remarks about the Catholic church. Krist says he also does not believe the language of an amendment to add a religious exception will be effective.

Krist says he will still work to help the bill advance, but he believes the committee needs more time for discussion. The committee needs five votes to reconsider its vote.