***For Immediate Release***
May 21, 2015
Contact, Jeff Sheldon
Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed
Office: (402) 438-8853
Mobile: (402) 840-7289
jsheldon@neappleseed.org
Appleseed praises Legislative votes on Final Reading Friday
Bills passing final vote will improve lives of Nebraska DREAMers, children, and working families
LINCOLN — Today, Nebraska Appleseed issued the following statements on bills that were passed on Final Reading by the Legislature on Thursday.
On LB 623: Driver’s licenses for DACA youth
“Today is a great day for our state’s future as talented young Nebraskans will now be able to contribute more fully to their communities. Nebraska has finally joined the rest of the nation in taking this positive step forward,” said Darcy Tromanhauser, Nebraska Appleseed Immigrants & Communities Director. “We thank the State Senators who have supported this bill throughout this session for their leadership, and also thank the wide array of business, faith, agriculture, youth, and community leaders who spoke up in favor of this bill. We urge Governor Ricketts to sign this bill quickly.”
LB 243 and LB 566: Addressing child welfare system
“Today’s votes in the Legislature on a number of child welfare bills are a culmination of hard work and will strengthen our child welfare system,” said Sarah Helvey, Nebraska Appleseed Child Welfare Director. “LB 566 will strengthen and clarify our state’s ICWA law to keep Native children in foster care connected to their culture. LB 243 will improve the Bridge to Independence program to allow youth who age out of foster care the best chance for a healthy start to adulthood. We thank the Legislature for their continued work to ensure a healthy future for Nebraska’s kids”
LB 81 and LB 607: Aid to hard-working families with children
“Passing LB 81 and LB 607 are important steps to help hard-working families get ahead,” said James Goddard, Nebraska Appleseed Economic Justice Director. “Ensuring working parents can provide for their children’s basic needs while ensuring they have access to affordable, quality child care is the right move for Nebraska’s working families. Thank you to the State Senators who worked hard to support these bills.”
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