LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska state senator is vowing to launch a statewide ballot drive to lower property taxes if lawmakers don’t address the issue next year.

Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard discussed his plans Tuesday at the end of this year’s legislative session. Lawmakers adjourned without passing any major property tax proposals.

Property taxes are levied by local governments, but farm and ranching groups have lobbied senators for funding that would offset what property owners have to pay.

Erdman says he’ll introduce a constitutional amendment in next year’s session, and if that fails, he’ll commence a petition drive to place it on the November 2018 ballot.

Sen. Curt Friesen of Henderson says he had high hopes for this year’s session but now believes a ballot drive is the only solution.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Legislature’s longtime sergeant-at-arms is retiring after a 58-year career in public service.

Lawmakers on Tuesday recognized Ron Witkowski for his work in state government.

Witkowski began his career as an assistant sergeant-at-arms in 1997, and was first elected sergeant-at-arms in January 2004. He previously worked for the Nebraska State Patrol for 37 years and served in the Marine Corps.

Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer says the Capitol is now a “better and safer place” because of Witkowski’s service. Lawmakers voted 45-0 to approve a resolution honoring his work.

Staffers for the sergeant-at-arms help maintain order in the legislative chamber. They’re commonly known as “red coats” for the red jackets they wear on the job.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith says cuts to farm subsidies and other rural programs outlined in President Donald Trump’s budget proposal will likely be “perceived as unfair cuts” by constituents and Congress.

Smith, a Republican who represents Nebraska’s vast, rural 3rd District, said Tuesday in a telephone news conference that he has concerns regarding the proposed $38 billion in farm subsidy cuts over 10 years. Smith said “this is not the first time there have been budget assaults” on agriculture spending, but notes that the proposal comes at a time when the ag economy is struggling.

Smith serves on the powerful tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee.

Smith said the Trump budget is only a proposal and that he doesn’t believe Congress has an appetite for severe ag cuts.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — A Kearney woman who attacked two people and a dog that later died has been sentenced to four years in prison.

26-year-old Desiree Deherrera was sentenced last week in Buffalo County District Court. She was convicted of strangulation, making terroristic threats, animal cruelty and assault.

Police say officers were called to a Kearney home in February for a fight involving two women and a man. Arriving officers were met by a man who said Deherrera was killing his dog.

Police found Deherrera on top of a German shepherd mix surrounded by blood. Police say she had stabbed the dog several times and attacked the man when he tried to stop her.

The dog had to be euthanized.

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — A former Scottsbluff vehicle dealership employee has pleaded guilty to embezzling while working there.

Court documents say 58-year-old Terry Weddle is scheduled to be sentenced July 3.

The documents say the owner of Fremont Motor told police that Weddle had written and signed unauthorized checks from July 2014 through December 2016. They totaled more than $113,000.

 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s prison director has told inmates that pornographic material won’t be allowed beginning in January.

The ban will include publications or items that advocate or are likely to incite violent or illegal activity and any material that threatens “the safety, security or good order” of a prison.

Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes’ May 11 letter to the inmates says possession of such materials after Jan. 8 could lead to inmate misconduct reports.

Frakes said in a statement Monday that reform “requires us to look at the system, how it operates, and determine where positive changes could be implemented to create a safer, more re-entry-focused environment.”

The eight months’ notice gives inmates time to decide on renewals or ordering new publications.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln middle school has pulled its yearbooks to remove a memorial honoring a deceased student, citing district policy violations.

Irving Middle School Principal Jason Shanahan notified district officials about the yearbook Friday after talking with other middle school principals who had been dealing with student deaths. Shanahan says he previously approved the yearbook with the two-page memorial for 13-year-old Taylor Miller but later learned a yearbook memorial goes against district guidelines.

The decision is the latest in a recent string of student memorial prohibitions in the area. The incidents have resulted in angered parents speaking out on social media.

Taylor died in November after being hit by a car. The memorial in the yearbook had included her name, her graduation year and a Winnie the Pooh quote.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An inmate already serving 36 to 61 years for an Omaha murder and other crimes has been given three more years in prison for punching a guard.

Online court records say 25-year-old Adrian Garcia was sentenced Monday in Lancaster County District Court. He’d pleaded no contest to assaulting an officer after prosecutors lowered the charge.

Prosecutors say Garcia punched the guard on March 9 last year at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln, where he’s been serving time for killing the 2009 slaying and other convictions.