Today the Unicameral convenes the first day of the second session of the 102nd Legislature. As the session begins, media reports have quoted a number of state lawmakers as saying that child welfare will be a top priority for this session.
Here are some of today’s headlines:
- “As session begins, child welfare a priority” – Lincoln Journal Star
- “Child welfare, job creation among legislative priorities” – Omaha World Herald
- “Child welfare, budget among issues facing legislature this year” – Nebraska Radio Network
And here are a few quotes from senators:
- “Child welfare is obviously the priority issue of the entire session,” said Speaker Mike Flood of Norfolk.
- Omaha Sen. Brad Ashford, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, proclaimed earlier that the 2012 session “will be the session of children” and that the “system must be reformed at its core.”
The fact that state leaders have prioritized the need to truly reform the state’s child welfare system is good news for children. It won’t be easy and lawmakers will face some big decisions. But we have a moment to finally create a system that meets the needs of children and families and, as the new session and the New Year begin, we are hopeful that Nebraska will accomplish this important task.