Ricketts reacts as call for Unicameral session falls

LINCOLN - Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts issued a statement about stopping vaccine mandates after the state Legislature fell short of the 33 vote threshold needed to call a special session.

Ricketts thanked the 28 state senators who supported the special session.

Ricketts: “Sadly, not enough members of the Legislature signed onto the effort – there needs to be five more votes to break a filibuster.  Right now, there are Nebraskans who are losing their jobs over vaccine mandates.  Until more senators step up, these people who are hurting won’t get the help they need. “

Supporting the special session were:

 

• Sen. Joni Albrecht,
• Sen. John Arch,
• Sen. Bruce Bostelman,
• Sen. Tom Brandt,
• Sen. Tom Brewer,
• Sen. Tom Briese,
• Sen. Robert Clements,
• Sen. Myron Dorn,
• Sen. Steve Erdman,
• Sen. Mike Flood,
• Sen. Curt Friesen,
• Sen. Suzanne Geist,
• Sen. Tim Gragert,
• Sen. Mike Groene,
• Sen. Steve Halloran,
• Sen. Ben Hansen,
• Sen. Mike Hilgers,
• Sen. Dan Hughes,
• Sen. Brett Lindstrom,
• Sen. Lou Ann Linehan,
• Sen. John S. Lowe,
• Sen. Mike McDonnell,
• Sen. Mike Moser,
• Sen. Dave Murman,
• Sen. Rich Pahls,
• Sen. Rita Sanders,
• Sen. Julie Slama,
• Sen. Matt Williams

The governor did not say how senators can stop the vaccine mandate, but referenced a letter from the secretary of state's office that special session will not be held.

 

CHI Health requires employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. A press release issued Aug. 12 says employees must be vaccinated by Nov. 1.

Bryan Health in Lincoln said Monday it lost 10 employees over the vaccine mandate. Of 5,552 employees, five resigned rather than get vaccinated. Five others were terminated for not complying.

Nebraska Medicine reported that 97 percent of its employees are vaccinated. Madonna Rehabilitation reports 93 percent.

On Friday, Gov. Ricketts issued an executive order barring state agencies from enforcing the vaccine mandate. The order does not cover hospital employees.