Last week was the final week of committee hearings in the 2014 Nebraska legislative session, which means the rest of the session will feature full days of floor debate starting today.
Appleseed’s priority bills will be up for debate over the next couple of weeks and we will be sending you notices at key moments to take action on important bills.
As constituents, your voices are essential for senators to hear. And taking action will only take a few moments. You can make a short phone call, write a brief email, or send a letter to your senator asking for them to support or oppose a bill.
Click here to find out how to contact your senator
Wellness In Nebraska
LB 887 – The “Wellness In Nebraska Act” (WIN) would provide health insurance to at least 54,000 Nebraskans. WIN utilizes private market insurance for coverage as well as existing programs and would bring billions of dollars back to our state.
Please call or write your state senator and tell them to support LB 887 so all Nebraskans can get access to affordable health care coverage. If this bill does not pass, we will leave tens of thousands of our family members, friends and neighbors without access to health care. That is not how we do things in Nebraska, especially when we have a solution in front of us.
Fact Sheet – LB 887 is a WIN for Nebraska
LB 887 Frequently Asked Questions
Raising the minimum wage to make sure hard work pays
LB 943 – This bill to raise Nebraska’s minimum wage to $9 per hour has been given a priority designation by its introducer, Sen. Jeremy Nordquist. The bill also contains an amendment which originally took the form of LB 947 to raise the minimum wage for people who make tips to 70 percent of the minimum wage for non-tip earners.
Read Appleseed’s fact sheet on why raising the minimum wage is important to strengthen working families.
Smooth implementation of Bridge To Independence for foster youth
LB 853 – This bill, introduced by Sen. Amanda McGill, would ensure a smoother implementation of the new Bridge To Independence program by adopting stakeholder recommendations when the program begins this year. Bridge To Independence was the program created by last year’s LB 216, which created a system of services and supports for young people who age out of Nebraska’s foster care system. Please ask your senator to support LB 853.
Support updated immigration laws
LR 399 – A bipartisan resolution urging the federal government to pass common-sense immigration reform. Contact your senator and urge them to support LR 399 because updated immigration laws that include a path to citizenship will keep families together, provide certainty for businesses, and make our communities stronger.
Oppose harmful tax policies
The Legislature will consider adjustments to our state’s tax structure through several bills. It is important our senators make our tax structure reflect the following principles:
- A progressive system that works for all Nebraskans.
- Allows our state to responsibly fund key investments like schools, strong communities, and effective anti-poverty programs that help thousands of Nebraskans.
- Sustains our cash reserve fund for stability during future economic downturns.
Nebraska already is a good place to do business with a high quality of life. Tell your senator to say no to income tax cuts that would risk that prosperity, drain our budget and only benefit a few Nebraskans.
Stay up to date on Appleseed’s issues
You can keep up with all the exciting happenings at the Legislature by following Appleseed online. Like our Facebook page and follow issues and legislative hearings in real-time on Appleseed’s Twitter feed
Plus, stop by our Appleseed Blog for opinion pieces, informative updates, and news stories, and visit our Vimeo page for videos of what we’re working on throughout 2014.
We will keep you updated on the latest bill introductions, hearings, and floor debate. And, we’ll let you know how you can take action to get involved and make your voice heard throughout the session!