Judging by the letters sent to The World-Herald’s Public Pulse, a bill that proposed cognitive testing for drivers 80 and older raised more than a few blood pressure readings in Nebraska. Read our coverage of the public hearing on LB 351 here.

Those opposed to the bill will be glad to know it’s not going anywhere this session. During the hearing, Scottsbluff Sen. John Harms said he would support an interim study on the measure. While a study resolution has not yet been introduced, Sen. Annette Dubas, chairwoman of the Transporation and Telecommunications Committee, said recently that’s probably where the bill is headed.

When to stop driving is one of those thorny issues with which lawmakers often struggle. On one hand, the traffic safety issue clearly enters the realm of public policy. On the other hand, the ability to drive is closely tied to a person’s independence and most of us like to think we’ll know when it’s time to hang up the keys.

Those opposed to the bill were louder than supporters. But with each story we published, I was contacted by readers who hoped the bill would gain traction. They told of older loved ones unwilling to stop driving when they were no longer capable. In one case, a reader (unwilling to be identified) said his 80-year-old-plus mother even refused to stop after being warned by a police officer. Not long after, she caused an injury accident.

Some suggeted all drivers, regardless of age, should undergo cognitive tests. Others say the decision should be made by a driver’s doc. Maybe so.

But whether a solution can be found by requiring tests at the office of the DMV or the family MD will have wait for another session.

While public testimony against a bill doesn’t immediately sway a sponsoring senator every day, Tuesday was one of those days in the Judiciary Committee.

The hearing involved LB 520, a bill that would allow registered land surveyors to step onto private property — without the landowner’s permission — to carry out their professional duties. It was introduced by Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial.

While several surveyors testified in support, the bill touched a nerve with private property advocates. Opponents kept coming up to the mic, telling committee members how the measure represented an affront to the rights of citizens to control who enters — or doesn’t enter — their land. At the conclusion of a litany of opposition, Christensen, a Judiciary Committee member, made a brief closing statment on his proposal.

“I will motion to kill the bill myself in exec,” he said, referring to executive session, the closed-door discussions committee members have to decide the fates of bills assigned to them.

His announcement triggered applause from opponents.

“Normally, we don’t allow applause or emotional outbursts,” said Sen. Brad Ashford, the committee chairman.

“But today, we’ll make an exception,” he added with a smile, realizing his warning came a little late.

Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus frequently does practical math in public hearings and floor debates to back up his policy positions.

He did it again Monday as the Legislature debated a bill intended to bring more uniformity to the fees governmental agencies charge to provide open records to the public. Our story about the debate is here. As proposed, Legislative Bill 363 would have required records custodians to charge no fees for the first six hours of staff time spent responding to a request.

Several rural senators objected to the six-hour free pass, arguing it could put a financial burden on budget-strapped (and staff-strapped) county offices.

Schumacher, who supports the bill, put a pencil to paper and came up with the following calculation:

So much for a sleepy news cycle on President’s Day.

Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns woke everyone up with his surprise announcement that he won’t seek re-election in 2014. Of course, that set tongues to wagging and Twitterers to tweeting with lots speculation about the impact on Nebraska’s political landscape.

This much we know for sure:

• Gov. Dave Heineman said  he will think about running for Johanns’ seat. Here’s what he told The World-Herald’s political reporter, Robynn Tysver. If he does get in, it at least raises the question about whether he might leave the mansion early to focus on a campaign.
• State Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont officially announced Monday he’s running as a GOP candidate for governor.
• University of Nebraska Regent Tim Clare of Lincoln said Monday he’s not going to run for governor.  The Republican was considered a strong contender, in part, because of his friendship with Heineman.

And for some maybes:

• Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg, a Republican, recently cracked open the door to a gubernatorial bid. As a past candidate for Senate, you can’t rule out the possibility that he’ll give that race a look, too.
• Other GOP names bandied about: Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley, Omaha businessman Pete Ricketts, Omaha Sen. Beau McCoy, former Bayard Sen. Phil Erdmann.
• What about Lavon Heidemann, appointed as Lieutenant Governor just last week? The governor said he would only appoint someone for the job who wasn’t interested in running for governor, so as to not unfairly handicap the race so close to the election. What if the governor leaves early to run for Senate? Are all bets — and political agreements — off?
• Republican Attorney General Jon Bruning said in January he’s happy with his current job. But a lot has changed since then. Most think he’s thinking about it.
• Some Democratic names bandied about: Former NU Regent Chuck Hassebrook and Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop are said to be giving the race serious consideration. Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler (a former state senator) and Sen. Annette Dubas of Fullerton also are mentioned.

Americans for Prosperity-Nebraska, one of the few groups backing Gov. Dave Heineman’s tax overhaul proposal, invited Nebraska citizens to a State Capitol rally to show support for the idea of eliminating state income taxes. The Tea Party-style group promoted the event with radio advertisements and news releases.

One line in the radio ad stood out. It promised lunch would be provided to rally participants. Brad Stevens, AFP’s state director, said the group made the offer to acknowledge those who showed up for an outdoor rally on a chilly February day. The menu consisted of box lunches from Jimmy Johns.

Now, political rallies are common on the west and north steps of the Capitol, especially during the legislative session. Organizers giving away food are not so common.

Still, the offer didn’t appear to boost turnout. About 30 people showed up, not counting members of the media, and there were plenty of sandwiches to go around. Maybe Nebraskans were wary of the offer after hearing the old adage about free lunches.

Members of a Civil War reactors group from Lincoln commemorated Abraham Lincoln’s birthday Tuesday at the statue of the president at the State Capitol.

In the foreground are, at left, Gage Stermensky and, at right, Marc Witkovski.