Steve Lathrop
Encyclopedia
Steve Lathrop is a member of the Nebraska Legislature
from Omaha, Nebraska
.
, Lathrop is the fifth of nine children born to David and Shirley Lathrop. He attended Holy Name Catholic Elementary School, and Archbishop Rummel High School in Omaha, which later became Roncalli Catholic High School. Lathrop graduated in 1975, and then attended Creighton University
to pursue that school's "three and three" Business/Law School degree program and graduated in 1979. He received his J.D.
in 1981, shortly thereafter entering private practice after law school.
He is the Chairman of the Business and Labor Committee, Chairman of the Developmental Disabilities Special Investigative Committee and Vice-chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He also serves on the Urban Affairs and Rules Committees as well as the Committee On Committees.
Senator Lathrop has worked on a variety of legislative issues during his years in the Unicameral. The following is a summary of some of his work.
During the 2007 legislative session, Senator Lathrop also supported Legislative Bill (LB) 367, a tax reduction package that was passed that made several changes to Nebraska’s tax structure, including the elimination of Nebraska’s estate tax and “marriage penalty
,” the creation of a property tax credit program, the elimination of the sales and use tax for construction labor and community based energy development projects, and increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit
.
In 2009, Senator Lathrop introduced and passed LB 561. LB 561 will allow public power districts to waive their right of eminent domain authority for certain wind energy projects which will allow those districts to reach agreements with private developers of wind farms. This reduces a major roadblock to the development of private wind farms. The bill also provided for an additional Nebraska-based business model for the development of wind energy projects. It is estimated that over one billion dollars of wind energy development will take place in the next few years due to the passage of LB 561.
In 2009, Senator Lathrop introduced LB 236 to begin to reduce the waiting list for individuals with a developmental disability. When the bill was introduced nearly 2000 Nebraskans were awaiting services, many for several years. A part of that bill was amended into the state budget bill by the Appropriations Committee and in the last few months of 2009 hundreds of Nebraskans began to receive much needed services.
LB 221 amended state law to restrict birth date information for children in certain court documents.
LB 674 strengthened identity theft law by prohibiting employers from using certain variations of an employee’s social security number and by adopting the Credit Report Protection Act. Under the Act, individuals are now allowed to place a security freeze on their credit reports.
In a follow-up bill to LB 674, LB 177 was introduced and passed to amend the security freeze law by removing the seven year sunset provision for credit freezes and reducing the cost to place a credit freeze from $15 to $3.
One of these difficult issues was found in LB 606 in 2008. Although he did not introduce this bill, Senator Lathrop has been recognized as a key negotiator in finding a compromise between the medical research community and pro-life groups. As a result, LB 606 was passed and effectively bans the practice of creating and destroying human embryos in the state of Nebraska. It also established a grant system to provide researchers with incentives to pursue new and more effective methods of performing this research.
Another problematic bill that Senator Lathrop assisted with was LB 573 in 2007. LB 573 eventually was passed to make adults who knowingly provide alcohol to a minor responsible for any injuries or damages to third parties caused by the negligence of the intoxicated minor.
Another bill that was before the Judiciary Committee in 2007 involved the issue of recreational liability. After much discussion and work, LB 564 was passed to place some
limits on the liability of political subdivisions (such as cities) that allow recreational activities on public land after a court ruling changed the previous protection. As result of the court ruling, many cities were concerned about their ability to operate various recreational activities, including skate parks. The passage of LB 564 alleviated those concerns.
There were also other justice-related bills that were introduced by Senator Lathrop and eventually passed, including LBs 179, 237, and 238.
LB 179 requires the electronic recording of interrogations in investigations of violent felonies. This practice insures more complete and accurate justice when dealing with our worst offenders.
LB 237 adopted the Interstate Compact for Juveniles and the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children. These Compacts are interstate agreements that provide for the uniform tracking, placement, and supervision of juveniles and children that move across state lines. This will apply when juveniles on probation move to another state or children who are in foster care or are awaiting adoption move to another state.
LB 238 created new criminal offenses for those who intentionally damage certain equipment or structures of public power suppliers. This bill was introduced in response to the recent increase in copper thefts that have contributed to numerous instances where criminals have broken into a power facility to steal wire or other materials.
Nebraska Legislature
The Nebraska Legislature is the supreme legislative body of the State of Nebraska, in the Great Plains region of the United States. The Legislature meets at the Nebraska State Capitol in the City of Lincoln, Lancaster County....
from Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
.
Biography
Born in Omaha, NebraskaOmaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, Lathrop is the fifth of nine children born to David and Shirley Lathrop. He attended Holy Name Catholic Elementary School, and Archbishop Rummel High School in Omaha, which later became Roncalli Catholic High School. Lathrop graduated in 1975, and then attended Creighton University
Creighton University
Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...
to pursue that school's "three and three" Business/Law School degree program and graduated in 1979. He received his J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in 1981, shortly thereafter entering private practice after law school.
Legislative history
Lathrop was elected in 2006 to represent Nebraska's 12th legislative district. Following an official recount in that election, ballots revealed Lathrop defeated Millard School Board member Jean Stothert by a margin of 14 votes (5,073 to 5,059).He is the Chairman of the Business and Labor Committee, Chairman of the Developmental Disabilities Special Investigative Committee and Vice-chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He also serves on the Urban Affairs and Rules Committees as well as the Committee On Committees.
Senator Lathrop has worked on a variety of legislative issues during his years in the Unicameral. The following is a summary of some of his work.
Budget and Taxes
Senator Lathrop supported fiscally responsible budget bills during the 2007 and 2009 legislative sessions. In the fall of 2009, a special session was convened to make adjustments to the budget due to decreases in state revenue. As a result, the Legislature passed a proposal that was supported by Senator Lathrop that will result in $337 million of budget savings during the next two years without raising taxes.During the 2007 legislative session, Senator Lathrop also supported Legislative Bill (LB) 367, a tax reduction package that was passed that made several changes to Nebraska’s tax structure, including the elimination of Nebraska’s estate tax and “marriage penalty
Marriage penalty
The marriage penalty in the United States refers to the higher taxes required from some married couples, where spouses are making approximately the same taxable income, filing one tax return than for the same two people filing two separate tax returns if they were unmarried...
,” the creation of a property tax credit program, the elimination of the sales and use tax for construction labor and community based energy development projects, and increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit
Earned income tax credit
The United States federal earned income tax credit or earned income credit is a refundable tax credit primarily for individuals and families who have low to moderate earned income. Greater tax credit is given to those who also have qualifying children...
.
Renewable Energy
Over the past couple of years, Senator Lathrop has worked to pass legislation to allow for increased development of wind energy in Nebraska. In 2008, Senator Lathrop assisted with the passage of LB 629, which created a rural Community-Based Energy Development (CBED) program to allow local property owners and communities to develop wind energy projects.In 2009, Senator Lathrop introduced and passed LB 561. LB 561 will allow public power districts to waive their right of eminent domain authority for certain wind energy projects which will allow those districts to reach agreements with private developers of wind farms. This reduces a major roadblock to the development of private wind farms. The bill also provided for an additional Nebraska-based business model for the development of wind energy projects. It is estimated that over one billion dollars of wind energy development will take place in the next few years due to the passage of LB 561.
Developmental Disabilities
In 2008, Senator Lathrop was appointed the Chair of the Developmental Disabilities Special Investigative Committee, which was given the responsibility to look more closely at the deteriorating conditions at the Beatrice State Developmental Center. Since that time, the Committee has done extensive work to gain a better understanding of the issues facing the facility and to provide additional oversight. The Committee has also reviewed community-based programs and the challenges facing the providers of services for individuals with a developmental disability who live in communities across Nebraska.In 2009, Senator Lathrop introduced LB 236 to begin to reduce the waiting list for individuals with a developmental disability. When the bill was introduced nearly 2000 Nebraskans were awaiting services, many for several years. A part of that bill was amended into the state budget bill by the Appropriations Committee and in the last few months of 2009 hundreds of Nebraskans began to receive much needed services.
Health care
During the 2008 legislative session, Senator Lathrop passed legislation that will save money on prescription drugs by establishing a Medicaid preferred drug list for the State of Nebraska and requiring the State to enter into a multistate purchasing pool for prescription drugs. The annual projected savings from this will be up to $2.1 million per year for the State of Nebraska.Identity Theft
Senator Lathrop has worked to provide additional protections for consumers from the threat of identity theft through the introduction and passage of three separate bills.LB 221 amended state law to restrict birth date information for children in certain court documents.
LB 674 strengthened identity theft law by prohibiting employers from using certain variations of an employee’s social security number and by adopting the Credit Report Protection Act. Under the Act, individuals are now allowed to place a security freeze on their credit reports.
In a follow-up bill to LB 674, LB 177 was introduced and passed to amend the security freeze law by removing the seven year sunset provision for credit freezes and reducing the cost to place a credit freeze from $15 to $3.
Justice
During the past three years, Senator Lathrop has introduced and passed legislation related to the juvenile justice and criminal justice systems. He has also served as a key member of the Judiciary Committee and has sought to find common ground on difficult issues facing the Committee.One of these difficult issues was found in LB 606 in 2008. Although he did not introduce this bill, Senator Lathrop has been recognized as a key negotiator in finding a compromise between the medical research community and pro-life groups. As a result, LB 606 was passed and effectively bans the practice of creating and destroying human embryos in the state of Nebraska. It also established a grant system to provide researchers with incentives to pursue new and more effective methods of performing this research.
Another problematic bill that Senator Lathrop assisted with was LB 573 in 2007. LB 573 eventually was passed to make adults who knowingly provide alcohol to a minor responsible for any injuries or damages to third parties caused by the negligence of the intoxicated minor.
Another bill that was before the Judiciary Committee in 2007 involved the issue of recreational liability. After much discussion and work, LB 564 was passed to place some
limits on the liability of political subdivisions (such as cities) that allow recreational activities on public land after a court ruling changed the previous protection. As result of the court ruling, many cities were concerned about their ability to operate various recreational activities, including skate parks. The passage of LB 564 alleviated those concerns.
There were also other justice-related bills that were introduced by Senator Lathrop and eventually passed, including LBs 179, 237, and 238.
LB 179 requires the electronic recording of interrogations in investigations of violent felonies. This practice insures more complete and accurate justice when dealing with our worst offenders.
LB 237 adopted the Interstate Compact for Juveniles and the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children. These Compacts are interstate agreements that provide for the uniform tracking, placement, and supervision of juveniles and children that move across state lines. This will apply when juveniles on probation move to another state or children who are in foster care or are awaiting adoption move to another state.
LB 238 created new criminal offenses for those who intentionally damage certain equipment or structures of public power suppliers. This bill was introduced in response to the recent increase in copper thefts that have contributed to numerous instances where criminals have broken into a power facility to steal wire or other materials.