Voice your support for access to food for all Nebraskans

Senators and committees continue to designate their legislative priorities, which are due by February 22nd. We’re excited to see several Appleseed priorities make it on the list, including LB 121 (Senator Megan Hunt), which aims to eliminate Nebraska’s counterproductive ban on SNAP benefits for people with certain drug felony convictions after they reenter their communities. A priority designation means that a bill will have time on the floor during session, so stay tuned for updates on how you can voice your support for LB121!

In case you missed it: read all about Appleseed’s 2022 legislative priorities on our blog.

This week’s hearings

Yesterday, we testified in support of LB 935, introduced by Senator Eliot Bostar, which gives Nebraska counties the authority to adopt ordinances to raise their county minimum wage above the state’s minimum wage. Additionally, we supported LB 1028, introduced by Senator Megan Hunt, which strengthens the existing protections that guarantee tipped workers earn at least the state minimum wage by bolstering transparency and accountability requirements.

Last week’s highlights

Young people leaving foster care are better set for success when given access, knowledge, control of their own money, and the opportunity to build a strong financial foundation for when they leave care. That’s why testified in support of LB 1113, introduced by Senator Terrell McKinney, which creates a pilot program to provide targeted transfers of funds to youth who age out of the Bridge to Independence program in order to continue to support these young people.

We also testified in support of LB857, introduced by Senator Jen Day, which streamlines access to Medicaid programs for kids in communities across Nebraska by creating an “express lane” for eligibility. LB857 will reduce barriers to getting kids covered by automatically enrolling and renewing eligible children who are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Medicaid or CHIP health coverage.

To end the week, we testified in support of two bills, both introduced by Senator Matt Hansen:

• AM1737 to LB446: This amendment would require the state to apply for federal emergency rental assistance funds, a much-needed support that would help Nebraskans still facing the stark impacts of the pandemic. Thanks to your advocacy efforts, 58 letters in support were submitted to the committee!
• LB1222: This legislation changes provisions in the Mobile Home Landlord and Tenant Act to expand the rights of mobile home tenants in communities across Nebraska.

Stay up to date on Appleseed’s issues

We had another eventful week at the Capitol, and ran into our friends from Latino Center of the Midlands, Omaha Together, and the Coalition for a Strong Nebraska!

You can keep up with all the happenings at the Legislature by following Appleseed online. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Don’t miss out on our live updates on legislative hearings on Twitter. Stop by our blog for opinion pieces, informative updates, and news stories.

We’ll let you know how you can take action to get involved and make your voice heard throughout the session!

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