Things are starting to pick up at the State Capitol with several bills that Appleseed is following having hearings this week.
Take Action to fight unfair banking practices
All Nebraska families should have access to credit, but Nebraska law currently lets payday lenders charge some of the highest interest rates in the nation. LB 1036 (Sen. Kathy Campbell) would limit unreasonably high interest rates and fees charged by payday lenders and strengthen transparency requirements.
This bill will be heard by the Business and Labor Committee on Tuesday, February 9. We urge you to contact your State Senator and tell them to support LB 1036 to protect the rights of Nebraska borrowers. Click here to send a message to your State Senator.
Recent Hearings
LB 701 (Sen. Heath Mello) – Reauthorizes education to be used as one of the work activities required to participate in the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) cash assistance program. This would allow Nebraskans to continue meeting their basic needs while learning new skills to get better jobs. We testified in support of this bill at an HHS Committee hearing on January 28.
LB 752 (Sen. Sue Crawford) – Would create the Adult Career Pathways Task Force to make recommendations that connect Adult Education programs with high-demand jobs in order to better train Nebraska workers to have the skills needed to fill the demands of our workforce. We testified in support of this bill at an Education Committee hearing on January 25.
Upcoming Hearings this week
LB 850 (Sen. Sue Crawford) – A bill that would allow Nebraska workers to contribute to a fund that would cover paid family leave from their jobs in order to care for a loved one. Hearing: Business and Labor Committee, Monday, February 1.
LB 866 (Sen. Kate Bolz) – A bill that would establish a Transition to Adult Living Success Program for young people “aging out” of the juvenile justice system. Hearing: Health and Human Services Committee, Wednesday, February 3.
Take Action on Transitional Health Insurance Program
We believe the hearing for LB 1032 – the Transitional Health Insurance Program Act – will be sometime in the next few weeks. Please contact your State Senator and ask them to support this bill that will help 77,000 Nebraskans with low incomes finally afford the health insurance they need.
Questions about the T-HIP Act LB 1032? Join us for a free Telephone Town Hall on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. to have your questions answered. Click here to Register
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.
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 2016.
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!