Tonight, Governor Ricketts vetoed LB108, a bill that makes changes to Nebraska’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to make it easier for participating Nebraskans to take raises or find better paying jobs and not lose all food benefits.
Nebraska Appleseed’s Economic Justice Program Manager for Food and Nutrition Access, Eric Savaiano, issued the following statement in response:
“At a time when Nebraskans are still struggling to feed themselves and their children amidst the economic fallout of COVID-19, it makes no sense to veto a bill that would make it easier for families to earn more money and step down SNAP benefits more proportionally. LB108 is completely paid for by existing funds and would have no impact on our state budget. It has a built-in sunset that targets the relief to current needs. Nebraska’s Legislature now has a chance to overturn this veto and make this important, common-sense bill into law. Once passed, it will have a huge impact on food insecurity and self-sufficiency in our state and we encourage all Nebraskans to contact their senators and urge them to overturn this veto.”
The bill, introduced and prioritized by Senator John McCollister, addresses this problem by raising the program’s gross income eligibility from 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $2,300 per month for a family of three) to 165% (about $3000 per month for a family of three). The bill would be completely paid for by American Rescue Fund Act dollars and the federal government, and would sunset on September 30, 2023.