Census bill vetoed

A bill intended to increase Nebraska’s participation in the 2020 U.S. census was vetoed by Gov. Pete Ricketts June 4.

LB436, introduced by Sen. Matt Hansen of Lincoln, granted the Nebraska State Data Center program the authority to form a commission that could have solicited private funds to carry out its duties.

Lawmakers passed the bill on a 38-4 vote May 31 – the last day of the 2019 session.

In his veto message, Ricketts said the bill was unnecessary because numerous cities across Nebraska are forming their own complete count committees. He added that LB436 also, “gives inappropriate authority to a single program within the University system to create a statewide Complete County Committee without any guidance, duties or goals from the state.”