We are nearly one-third of the way into the 2019 Nebraska Legislative Session. With bill hearings well under way, Appleseed staff, partners, and friends are maintaining a strong presence at the Capitol to advocate for a number of measures that would open doors to greater opportunity for Nebraskans. We’ll also be voicing our opposition to a few proposals that create… Read more →
State’s low participation in school breakfast means poorer outcomes for students, missed federal funding Despite a slight increase in participation, Nebraska still ranks near the bottom of the country in providing students in need with a nutritious breakfast at school according to the School Breakfast Scorecard, released annually by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). Each year, FRAC’s School… Read more →
Working hard and taking care of each other are foundational Nebraska values. Our state has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and one of the highest rates of parents participating in the workforce. Yet, many of our friends and families are struggling to get ahead despite their hard work. This is because our minimum wage and tipped… Read more →
In just a few days, a small group of dedicated school nutrition directors from Central Nebraska will be convening around a shared goal: getting more students to participate in school breakfast. Nebraska Appleseed will be hosting this group that we’re calling the Better Breakfast Partners. We know that hunger exists in Nebraska schools, even in communities with low levels of… Read more →
Full implementation of Medicaid expansion in Governor’s budget proposal will benefit Nebraska Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Rebecca Gould issued the following statement in response to Governor Ricketts’ State of the State address delivered Tuesday morning. “We are pleased the Governor’s budget upholds the will and priorities of the people of Nebraska by fully implementing Initiative 427, which expanded health care… Read more →
If you are one of the 166,000 people in Nebraska who receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or if you are considering applying for SNAP benefits, you may be wondering how the partial government shutdown may impact SNAP in Nebraska. Here are the important things for you to know: If you have a January recertification deadline,… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** November 8, 2018 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853, Ext. 119 Cell: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org Ahead of Veterans Day, Nebraska Advocates Urge Congress to Protect Food Assistance for Veterans Program helps nearly 1.4 million low-income veterans, including thousands in Nebraska LINCOLN — As the nation prepares to observe Veterans… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** September 18, 2018 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org State urged to increase outreach to seniors struggling with hunger Nebraska seniors who are eligible for food assistance participate in rates below the national average LINCOLN — With Congress needing to pass the 2018 Farm Bill… Read more →
The actions you’ve taken in 2018 have renewed the fight for a more-just society, building a Nebraska where everyone can have the justice and opportunity they need to get ahead. Health Care for Every Nebraskan You astounded us. Thousands of Nebraskans have contacted their elected officials, made office visits, signed petitions and taken other actions to protect access to… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** August 1, 2018 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org National Survey Finds 12 Percent of Nebraska Households Struggle to Afford Food New Data Underscores Need to Protect and Improve Federal Nutrition Programs LINCOLN — In every part of the United States, a large number of… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** June 21, 2018 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Cell: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org SNAP cuts in House Farm Bill will punish Nebraskans struggling with hunger Congressmen’s vote today will take food off the table for seniors, children, and those between jobs LINCOLN — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** June 13, 2018 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed\ Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Senate Farm Bill reaffirms important, bipartisan commitment to food assistance Bill protects SNAP, Nebraska Senators urged to oppose harmful amendments that would increase hunger LINCOLN — Wednesday, the Senate Agriculture Committee voted 20-1 to advance the Senate’s… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** June 6, 2018 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Summer Food sites ensure Nebraska kids don’t go hungry when school lets out Adequate meals in summer are essential to children’s health, learning retention LINCOLN — Thousands of children in Nebraska are food insecure and struggle to get… Read more →
Right now, Congress is considering the reauthorization of the Farm Bill. While the name may make one think of fields and agricultural equipment, the Farm Bill has a far-reaching impact on programs that ensure food security and fight poverty in the United States. Farm Bill Background The Farm Bill is a broad piece of legislation that addresses most federal… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** April 18, 2018 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org Nebraska organizations applaud passage of Predatory Lending Reform bill Law will be small step forward to curb abusive lending, but future reforms are also needed LINCOLN — Today Nebraska organizations applaud the Final Reading passage of payday lending reform… Read more →
Will you make a phone call today to protect the ability for tens of thousands of Nebraskans to put food on their table? Now is an important time for your Congressman to hear from you. Last week, the House Agriculture Committee proposed the 2018 Farm Bill, which put forward drastic cuts and harmful new restrictions to our country’s most-important food security program, the Supplemental… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** April 12, 2018 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Cell: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org SNAP cuts proposed in draft Farm Bill would hurt thousands of Nebraska families New restrictions on food assistance will take meals off the table, plunge more Nebraskans into poverty LINCOLN — The 2018 Farm Bill introduced today by the… Read more →
Midwest Dairy is pleased to offer School Nutrition Equipment Grants. The on-line grant application will be open from April 1-30. The purpose of the grant is to assist School Nutrition Directors in the purchase of equipment that will enhance the long-term implementation of their school meal programs with a preference to increasing school breakfasts served outside the cafeteria and after-school suppers. Nebraska… Read more →
With only a couple of weeks left in the 2018 Nebraska Legislative session, the days will start to get long. Starting last week, debate began to stretch into the evening, meaning the remaining days at the Capitol will end after the sun goes down. Here’s what we’ll be keeping an eye on for the rest of the session. Child… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** March 8, 2018 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org New Report: Tools available to help Nebraska Schools fight student hunger Data shows Nebraska lags in national school breakfast rankings, but some schools finding success fighting classroom hunger with innovative strategies LINCOLN — National data shows Nebraska falls behind… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** December 20, 2017 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org Nebraska Appleseed Statement on Congress’ tax bill Bill endangers investments in health care, education, and other essential public systems LINCOLN — Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Rebecca Gould issued the following statement in response to Congress passing… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** November 20, 2017 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Cell: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org This Thanksgiving, Nebraska organizations urge strengthening of programs that fight hunger SNAP cuts would deepen poverty for Nebraska children, families LINCOLN — With Nebraska’s food insecurity rate at nearly 12 percent, hundreds of thousands of Nebraska… Read more →
This is a guest post from Appleseed Health Care intern Suzie Cho. During the month of October, Nebraska Appleseed, in partnership with Safeway and the Albertsons Companies Foundation, hosted the Western Nebraska Better Breakfast Challenge to help schools jumpstart their breakfast programs and improve participation. The Challenge saw 12 elementary schools in Gering, Hemingford, Mitchell, Morrill, Paxton, and Scottsbluff compete… Read more →
Things are moving fast in Congress, and we’re asking you to take action today to protect important investments that help Nebraska’s children and hard-working families meet their needs and get ahead. Just like your household budget reflects what you think is important to spend money on, our national budget shows what we as a country believe is important — our… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** October 5, 2017 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Nebraska Appleseed Communications Director Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org New rule a good first step to protect Nebraskans against predatory lending CFPB rule makes progress, but Legislature still must pass true reform to end exploitative lending Today, a group of Nebraska advocacy organizations – Nebraska… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed is proud to recognize advocates who have made outstanding contributions to the fight for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans at the 2017 Good Apple Awards on October 19th in Omaha. The Jim Wolf Equal Justice Award recognizes a Nebraskan who has made significant contributions to justice for all throughout her career. The award is given in the… Read more →
In July, Appleseed was pleased to welcome our newest field organizer, Felipe Blanco. Felipe comes to Appleseed with a wealth of experience in public policy and will work in our Health Care and Economic Justice programs, connecting with people in communities all across the state on ways they can create positive change for themselves and their neighbors. “I am excited… Read more →
There are hundreds of thousands of Nebraska families that struggle with hunger, and food security programs are some of the most-effective ways to make sure that every Nebraskan – children, seniors, veterans, and other hard-working people – are able to get the food they need. Friday, a group of 10 Nebraska organizations sent a letter to Nebraska’s three House members… Read more →
Note: Part of fighting for positive change in our communities means getting to work with outstanding, like-minded volunteer partners who share our goal of expanding justice and opportunity in Nebraska. Periodically, we will feature individuals and organizations with whom we have been fortunate to work to build a brighter future in our state. This is a guest post by Appleseed… Read more →
Access to food is critical to the education and well-being of children in both Nebraska’s urban and rural communities. By using tools such as the summer foods programs to their maximum benefit, we can make sure our kids are healthy and hunger-free throughout the summer months. For some students from lower-income families, their school is sometimes the only place they… Read more →
The 2017 Nebraska Legislative Session came to an end last Tuesday, concluding a session that contained several setbacks for efforts to improve opportunities for hard-working, low-income families and children. Still, a few important advancements were made to improve access to justice and opportunity for more Nebraskans. Your support and hard work, combined with some outstanding leaders in the Legislature, helped… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** May 23, 2017 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Nebraska Appleseed Communications Director Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org President’s budget proposal a harsh attack on Nebraska families Drastic cuts will harm low-income families, children, seniors, Nebraskans with disabilities LINCOLN — Today, Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Rebecca Gould issued the following statement on the President’s… Read more →
It’s the week of budget debate. State Senators will begin debate on the Appropriations Committee’s recommended budget on Tuesday, and we’re urging the protection of important programs that help kids and hard-working families. No vote after debate on dangerous tax bill Friday morning, the Legislature spent three hours debating LB 461 but adjourned without taking a vote. This bill would… Read more →
La versión en español está abajo. ***For Immediate Release*** April 20, 2017 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org More than 200 Nebraska Schools Eligible for Community Eligibility Provision to Fight Hunger in the Classroom LINCOLN — Many more Nebraska schools will be eligible to serve more students free… Read more →
With a state budget shortfall of more than $1 billion, we have to look for every solution to protect Nebraska’s important public investments that make life better for everyone. Things like good schools, safe roads and highways, and programs that help hard-working families get ahead. But a dangerous tax plan will be up for debate on Friday in the Legislature… Read more →
This is a huge week for bills that have long-term impacts on Nebraska’s ability to fund important investments. We’re asking you to take action to protect investments in education, child welfare, and other big priorities for hard-working Nebraska families. Protect investments in the Good Life Friday, the Legislature is expected to debate a dangerous plan that gives a large tax… Read more →
For Immediate Release April 17, 2017 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed (402) 438-8853 (office) (402) 840-7289 (cell) jsheldon@neappleseed.org Schools vie to feed more students in Better Breakfast Challenge Contest will award cash prizes to western Nebraska schools that improve breakfast participation Elementary schools in more than a dozen communities in western Nebraska will have… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed is proud to be working with the Safeway Foundation to increase participation in school breakfast programs in western Nebraska. Nebraska has one of the lowest school breakfast participation rates in the nation, and we are working with partners to make improvements and provide incentives that encourage more schools to provide students with a healthy breakfast. The Western Nebraska… Read more →
Last week, the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) released its annual report on state participation in Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) nationwide. Nebraska rose in the rankings this year to 43rd out of 50 states and the District of Columbia (up from 47th in 2016) in eligible school districts taking up the option, but remained in 50th place for the… Read more →
This is an important week to make your voice heard to State Senators to improve opportunity for hard-working Nebraskans and oppose bills that would deprive people of their basic rights. Supporters urge Legislative Committee to Stop The Debt Trap Appleseed joined 20 supporters who testified in support of payday lending reform bill LB 194 (Sen. Tony Vargas) at a lengthy… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** February 21, 2017 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org New report reveals history of non-compliance with state law by payday lenders With long record of violations, state must implement reforms for lenders LINCOLN — A new report released today by Nebraska Appleseed reveals a history of… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** February 14, 2017 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org Nebraska continues to rank near bottom of U.S. in School Breakfast State’s low participation in school breakfast means poorer outcomes for students, missed federal funding Despite a slight increase in participation, Nebraska still ranks near the bottom of… Read more →
Every time there is a shortfall in our state budget, investments in hard-working Nebraskans are often the first to be cut. Nebraska is facing a budget shortfall of more than $1 billion. Despite this challenge, Governor Ricketts and members of the Legislature are proposing a big income tax cut that won’t do anything for our state’s middle-class and low-income families,… Read more →
In Nebraska, more than 97,000 children are food insecure. Offering school breakfast that is healthy and easy is one way Nebraskans can prioritize the health and learning of kids. According to the Food Research and Action Center, children who miss breakfast have lower math scores, repeat grades more often, are more likely to be absent and tardy, and have more… Read more →
Last week marked the final day of bill introduction in the 2017 Nebraska Legislative session. Several bills we consider top priorities were introduced, and we’ll be testifying at several committee hearings this week. Health coverage for hard-working Nebraskans Last week, Sen. Adam Morfeld introduced LB 441, a bill that would allow nearly 100,000 uninsured Nebraskans with low incomes to get… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** January 23, 2017 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org New Report: Improving Student Protections in For-Profit Schools Nebraska can model other states in holding for-profit colleges accountable to students LINCOLN — Given the recent closures of several for-profit schools nationwide, now is the time to… Read more →
On January 4, the 2017 Nebraska Legislature began its 90-day session. Over the next few months, State Senators will consider many bills that will affect justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans including quality health insurance, economic opportunity, food security, voting rights, and the state’s nearly $1 billion budget shortfall. Each week, we will let you know about movement on our… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** December 22, 2016 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org New Report: Nebraska can improve job training for hard-working people Opportunities to invest in skills training would help families get ahead, boost economy LINCOLN — Helping hard-working families lift themselves out of poverty means making sure… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed helps offer technical assistance and financial support to eligible Nebraska schools that switch to breakfast in the classroom through the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom initiative. See if your school is eligible. This blog is part of a series highlighting the benefits of breakfast in the classroom and its effects on student outcomes. It’s been proven again… Read more →
Our community partners – Community Action of Nebraska and Center for Rural Affairs – would like to invite you talk about how to create an economic future for all Nebraskans and learn more about what’s at stake in the upcoming state Legislative session. Consider attending one of the upcoming community meetings: Monday, December 12 o 6 – 7 pm, Scottsbluff, Gering Public Library … Read more →
Nebraska schools just got a powerful new resource to better offer a healthy school breakfast to the kids who need it most. The Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom (PBIC) program recently launched in Nebraska. This consortium of national and local partners, including Nebraska Appleseed, can offer technical assistance as well as financial support to let schools make sure their… Read more →
Every day when we come to work at Nebraska Appleseed, we walk through a door that reads “Stand Up For Justice.” It’s our daily reminder that Appleseed was created to fight against the largest, most-formidable forms of systemic injustice in our state. The big problems that keep our poorest neighbors poor and put barriers right in the middle of the… Read more →
Across the U.S., low-income families that receive child care subsidies are more likely to be employed, maintain work for longer periods of time and increase their annual earnings and financial resources. It’s a tool that has proven to be an enormous success to help families get ahead. Unfortunately, investment in child care subsidies has been lagging nationwide. Funding for child… Read more →
This week, the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) released its national analysis of food hardship in the U.S. in a report titled “Food Hardship in America: Households with Children Especially Hard Hit.” The analysis, which used research from the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being survey, contains both national and state-level data on hunger. According to the survey, 15.9 percent of Nebraska households… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** September 15, 2016 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org New data: Over 12 percent of Nebraskans still live in poverty Census shows high rates of poverty for children, minority populations LINCOLN — The percentage of Nebraskans living in poverty was not sharply reduced in 2015… Read more →
Throughout our 20th Anniversary year in 2016, we are taking a look back at the influential people who helped Nebraska Appleseed grow into the advocacy organization we are today. These “Roots of Appleseed” helped shape our mission of fighting for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans. Read our prior entries in the Roots of Appleseed series: Milo Mumgaard Gretchen Obrist… Read more →
News and Events from Nebraska Appleseed – September 2016 Join us for the 2016 Good Apple Awards! Join us on Thursday, October 13, for the 2016 Good Apple Awards to honor folks who have made outstanding contributions to justice and opportunity for all in Nebraska! Livestock Exchange Building Ballroom 4920 S 30th St, Omaha, NE 6pm-8pm Click here to… Read more →
Appleseed is proud to welcome Eleanor Dollear as Appleseed’s Weitz Fellow for 2016-17. Eleanor will work with our Economic Justice & Health Care Access programs. The fellowship is supported by the Weitz Family Foundation of Omaha and places recent Carleton College graduates with non-profits in Lincoln and Omaha for one-year fellowships. Eleanor is originally from Chicago and graduated from Carleton… Read more →
Today’s Omaha World-Herald features a column from our Executive Director Becky Gould on the 20th anniversary of a big change Congress made to the way the U.S. fights poverty for our country’s poorest working families with children. Starting in 1996, the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) restructured one of the country’s most important public assistance programs. This anniversary, Becky writes, is… Read more →
Schools encouraged to fight classroom hunger with Community Eligibility as students return Hunger advocates urge eligible schools to ensure all students are getting healthy meals As Nebraska children head back to school this month, hunger advocates urged eligible Nebraska schools to begin using a proven tool to ensure students are getting the healthy meals they need to learn and grow.… Read more →
My year as a Weitz fellow has been a whirlwind. I didn’t expect Appleseed and Lincoln, NE to find it’s way so close to my heart in the same way that I didn’t expect to feel a “hot breeze” for the first time in my life. Seriously, who knew the wind could blow so hot from something other than an… Read more →
Payday lenders are often the last resort for many Nebraskans who have nowhere else to turn to get small loans to pay for an unexpected expense. But payday lenders have a long history of making loans that trap people in a cycle of debt through outrageously high interest rates and unreasonable repayment terms. On June 2 at a field hearing… Read more →
Payday lenders are often the last resort for many Nebraskans who have nowhere else to turn to get small loans they need to pay for an unexpected expense. But payday lenders have a long history of making bad loans that trap people in a cycle of debt with outrageously high interest rates and unreasonable repayment terms. Recently, the Consumer Financial… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** June 21, 2016 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Nebraska falls to 46th nationally in summer meals participation As number of summer food sites drop, more Nebraska children face hunger LINCOLN — Nebraska fell in the national rankings when it comes to ensuring children from low-income… Read more →
Last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced they will be proposing new rules to rein in some of the worst abuses of the payday loan industry. They’ll unveil the draft rules at a public field hearing on Thursday, June 2nd in Kansas City – and we’re taking a group from Nebraska to the event! Would you like to… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** April 28, 2016 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org More than 100 Nebraska Schools Eligible for Community Eligibility Provision to Fight Hunger in the Classroom LINCOLN — Recently, the Nebraska Department of Education released information showing 104 schools in Nebraska will be eligible to serve more free… Read more →
The 2016 Nebraska Legislative session ended with a flourish last week with two of Appleseed’s priority bills passing into law! It was a great end to the session. However, while there were some important policies advanced at the State Capitol, this session largely will be remembered as a session of missed opportunities to remove barriers for hard-working Nebraska families. Let’s… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** April 7, 2016 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org New report shows Nebraska lagging nationally in helping kids get meals at school Nebraska ranked nearly last in using Community Eligibility Provision Despite a significant nationwide increase in the number of high-poverty schools helping feed students with… Read more →
Note: Throughout our 20th Anniversary year in 2016, we will be taking a look back at the influential people who helped Nebraska Appleseed grow into the advocacy organization we are today. These “Roots of Appleseed” helped shape our mission of fighting for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans. The roots of Nebraska Appleseed were first planted in an unlikely… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** March 4, 2016 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Russ Reno Public Information Officer, DHHS Office: (402) 471-8287 Russ.Reno@nebraska.gov Proposed settlement will help Nebraska families eligible for food assistance Agreement would end lawsuit regarding delays in administering SNAP LINCOLN — An agreement recently was reached between the Nebraska… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** February 17, 2016 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org Nebraska ranked nearly last in U.S. in School Breakfast Participation State scores 49th in helping qualified kids start the day with a healthy meal at school LINCOLN — Nebraska ranked nearly last in the country… Read more →
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, at about 461% APR. These high-interest loans can trap families with low incomes in a cycle of debt. A new bill, LB 1036, has been introduced at the Nebraska Legislature to stop these unfair practices.… Read more →
We’re already a few weeks into the 2016 Nebraska Legislature session. Every day at the State Capitol, Appleseed will be fighting for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans by advocating for bills, meeting with State Senators, and organizing Nebraskans to make their voices heard on issues that affect thousands of people. We just wanted to take a second to… Read more →
Plan would return Nebraska tax dollars to the state for private health coverage for 77,000 uninsured Nebraskans Today, a bipartisan group of State Senators unveiled a new health coverage bill that would create a pathway to affordable health coverage desperately needed by 77,000 uninsured Nebraskans who currently cannot afford insurance. The plan, called the “Transitional Health Insurance Program,” or T-HIP,… Read more →
For most Nebraskans, winter weather is an accustomed inconvenience. But for Nebraskans with low incomes, cold temperatures can be financially devastating and physically hazardous. In 2006, Appleseed supported the creation of the “Cold Weather Rule” in Nebraska. According to this rule, low-income Nebraskans cannot have their natural gas shut off between November 1 and March 31 of any given year,… Read more →
For Immediate Release December 28, 2015 Contact, James Goddard Economic Justice Director, Nebraska Appleseed (402) 570-9462 (cell) jgoddard@neappleseed.org New report calls for study of Nebraska’s for-profit colleges High student debt, default rates, and limited performance measures warrant Legislative inquiry LINCOLN — A new report released today by Nebraska Appleseed reveals concerning outcomes for Nebraska’s for-profit colleges… Read more →
Education is the clearest pathway out of poverty. And in Nebraska, we have emphasized the importance of education in our Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) program. ADC is Nebraska’s cash assistance program for low-income families with children. Most people who participate in the ADC program must engage in a work activity every week. Under Nebraska’s ADC program, participants can choose… Read more →
The jobs of the future will require Nebraska’s workforce to have training and education beyond the high school level. By 2018, 64 percent of the available jobs in Nebraska will require a post-secondary education. Yet, nearly 10 percent of all Nebraskans ages 18 to 64 lack a high school degree or an equivalent and almost 25 percent of Nebraskans age… Read more →
For Immediate Release December 2, 2015 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed (402) 438-8853 (office) (402) 840-7289 (cell) jsheldon@neappleseed.org New report recommends increasing access to education programs in Nebraska prisons Increased access to education will reduce recidivism, lead to new job opportunities after incarceration LINCOLN — Education is essential not just for the individual who… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** September 17, 2015 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org New data: Over 227,000 Nebraskans lived in Poverty in 2014 Census shows poverty has not sharply fallen despite nation’s lowest unemployment rate LINCOLN — The percentage of Nebraskans living in poverty was slightly reduced in 2014 versus… Read more →
When Kait Madsen was looking for ways to get involved on her college campus during her first year at Loyola University in Chicago, she knew she wanted to help others find solutions to problems in their communities. “I’ve always been interested in human rights and making a difference,” she said. That interest sparked a passion for organizing, and led Kait… Read more →
Appleseed is very pleased to welcome Tori Ostenso as Appleseed’s Weitz Fellow working with our Economic Justice & Health Care Access programs. The fellowship is supported by the Weitz Family Foundation of Omaha and places recent Carleton College graduates with non-profits in Lincoln and Omaha for one-year fellowships. At Appleseed, Tori will be doing important work to fight poverty, increase… Read more →
In this September edition of “Appleseed in Action”: Tell Congress to fight child hunger Many Nebraska families report facing food hardship Newspaper series highlights need to expand Medicaid Local leaders attend grassroots leadership workshop Tickets now available for the 2015 Good Apple Awards Meet our 2015 Summer Law Clerks and Interns Tell Congress to reauthorize funding for child nutrition programs… Read more →
This June, the Nebraska Legislature increased the payment rate for Nebraska’s Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) program for the first time in nearly 30 years by passing LB 607. ADC is the state’s welfare-to-work program that includes cash assistance and employment activities for low-income families with children. This increased payment rate goes into effect today, and Appleseed has created this… Read more →
The new Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) allows eligible schools in districts with a high percentage of low-income families to receive funding to pay for free, healthy meals for all students regardless of the income of the students’ families. Appleseed recently spoke with two principals of Omaha elementary schools about their success with CEP — Stephanie Black, Principal at Martin Luther… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** August 21, 2015 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org Number of Nebraska families facing food hardship remains steady in 2015 Hunger data shows slight improvement, but too many Nebraskans still struggle to eat LINCOLN — New data released Thursday from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)… Read more →
In this August edition of “Appleseed in Action”: Celebrating Medicaid’s 50th birthday Improving access to children’s behavioral health treatment New Americans share their stories at World Refugee Day Introducing 2015 Good Apple Awards honorees Appleseed is hiring Fall interns Meet our 2015 Summer Law Clerks and Interns Celebrating Medicaid on its 50th Birthday One of the cornerstones of our American… Read more →
Note: Each year, Nebraska Appleseed is fortunate to work with a number of bright, talented law clerks and interns. This is one of a series of posts that feature Appleseed’s clerks and interns discussing their backgrounds and experiences. Economic Justice law clerk John Beutler is a critical advocate for justice, both on and off the sand volleyball court. Born and… Read more →
In this July edition of “Appleseed in Action”: Supreme Court upholds health coverage in King v. Burwell Legal victory to protect children’s rights to behavioral health treatments Tell Congress to support Child Nutrition bills Save the date for the 2015 Good Apple Awards Capitol Rally to Close the Coverage Gap Urban Abbey Events Meet our 2015 Clerks and Interns… Read more →
Today, we’re asking you to take action to fight child hunger in Nebraska and tell our members of Congress to support two key, bipartisan bills that will ensure thousands of Nebraska kids will get the food they need this summer. Call your Congressman and Nebraska’s U.S. Senators and urge them to support the Summer Meals Act of 2015 and the… Read more →
***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… Read more →
Award recognizes schools, school board members, administrators who have fought child hunger in Omaha OMAHA — Thursday morning, ConAgra Foods Foundation, in partnership with community organizations that fight hunger and advocate for youth, recognized work to fight childhood hunger in Omaha schools by presenting six OPS schools with the Hunger Free School Award. At a celebratory breakfast meeting hosted at… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** May 15, 2015 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Appleseed Statement on Legislature’s vote on LB 599 Voting down bill is right choice for hard-working young Nebraskans LINCOLN — Friday, Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Rebecca Gould released the following statement on the Legislature’s vote not to pass… Read more →
We did it! Friday afternoon, the Legislature voted not to pass LB 599, a bill that would have cut the minimum wage for hard-working Nebraska high school workers. The bill needed 33 votes on Final Reading to become law, but received only 29 votes. Nebraskans believe all workers should be treated fairly regardless of their age, and this outcome will… Read more →
This is your last chance to stop a bill in the Legislature that would cut wages for Nebraska’s hard-working student employees. LB 599 could be on Final Reading tomorrow. Contact your State Senator NOW and urge them to vote “NO.” Last fall, Nebraskans overwhelmingly voted to raise our state’s minimum wage to $9 per hour, but LB 599 would allow… Read more →
With only 13 days left in the 2015 Nebraska Legislative session, time is winding down. Here’s your weekly Legislative Update. Compromise reached on bill to increase aid to working families It appears Nebraska’s poorest working families may get a measure of help via a compromise announced May 5 to slightly increase payments in the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC)… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** May 5, 2015 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Appleseed Statement on working families aid funding Compromise is first step to increase stability for working, low-income families LINCOLN — Today, Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Rebecca Gould issued the following statement on the announced compromise reached on adding aspects… Read more →
Last week was quite the week at the State Capitol. The Legislature gave first-round approval to the state budget and debated several of Appleseed’s priority bills. Governor vetoes bill that fights poverty for hard-working families On Thursday, April 29, Governor Ricketts vetoed LB 89, a bill that fights poverty for Nebraska’s poorest families. LB 89, which passed Final Reading… Read more →
We need you to take action today to stand up for Nebraska’s poorest families with children. This week, Governor Ricketts vetoed LB 89, a bill that would use existing funds to slightly increase Nebraska’s Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) benefit for the first time in nearly 30 years. Take Action! Contact your State Senator today! Urge them to stand up… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** May 1, 2015 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org More than 100 Nebraska Schools Eligible for New Tool to Reduce Hunger in the Classroom LINCOLN — Today, the Nebraska Department of Education announced 111 schools in Nebraska will be eligible to serve more free meals to students using… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** April 29, 2015 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Appleseed Statement on Governor’s Veto of LB 89 Governor’s uses first veto to harm state’s poorest Children and Families LINCOLN — Tonight, Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Rebecca Gould issued the following statement regarding the Governor’s veto of LB… Read more →
Several of Appleseed’s priority bills to help hard-working families and protect Nebraska children received great votes in the Legislature last week! Here is our legislative roundup from last week and what lies ahead this week. Working Families bill passes Final Reading LB 89 – This bill to raise the payment rate for the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) benefit… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** April 23, 2015 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Appleseed Statement on passage of LB 89 Legislature’s vote will strengthen Nebraska’s working families LINCOLN — Today, Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Becky Gould issued the following statement in support of the Legislature’s vote to pass LB… Read more →
Last fall, Nebraskans overwhelmingly voted to raise our state’s minimum wage to $9 per hour, but a new bill in the Legislature would strip that fair wage from hard-working young Nebraskans. LB 599 would allow employers to pay high school student workers less than other employees, which is in direct contrast to what Nebraskans voted for last November. The bill… Read more →
Two bills to help working families advanced to Final Reading last week, highlighting a busy week in the Legislature. Here is your Legislative Update for the week of April 20. Working families bills pass Select File It was a good start to last week when two bills to help hard-working families moved to Final Reading on Monday, April 13. LB… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** April 7, 2015 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org Survey Finds 12 Percent of Nebraska Households Struggle to Afford Food New Data Underscores Need to Protect and Improve Federal Nutrition Programs LINCOLN – One in 8 people – 12.8 percent of respondents – in Nebraska reported… Read more →
Today, ask our U.S. Representatives to make children’s health care a priority by supporting the bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives to extend funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). On Thursday, Congress will vote to extend funding for CHIP, a program that provides health coverage for over 55,000 Nebraska children. We’re asking you to act TODAY. Contact… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** March 16, 2015 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Report: Minority Working Families in Nebraska falling behind Latino Immigrants at Greatest Risk; Study Concludes State Can Address the Problem LINCOLN – A new study concludes that a sharp racial and ethnic divide has emerged within the world of low-income… Read more →
TONIGHT, is an important moment for you to take action and fight against a harmful tax bill that could damage our state’s budget for years to come. LB 357 calls for income tax cuts that mainly benefit Nebraskans with high incomes at the expense of slashing funding for our schools, roads, police, fire departments, and safe, vibrant communities – similar… Read more →
Last Wednesday, ProPublica and NPR launched a detailed and extensive series on the troubling trend of states reducing workers’ compensation benefits over the past 10 years. These reductions – drastic in some states – have left workers who were injured on the job without support for medical treatment and recovery to get back to work. In fact, the report states… Read more →
Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Report: More investment in Adult Basic Education would improve Nebraska workforce Hard-working Nebraskans need more skills to compete in changing economy LINCOLN — A new report released Monday shows Nebraska’s need to invest more in Adult Basic Education (ABE). The report, “Adult Education in… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** February 13, 2015 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org Report: Nebraska Lags Nationally in providing School Breakfast This week, the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) released its School Breakfast Scorecard, an annual report that analyzes each state’s participation in the School Breakfast Program. The report reveals Nebraska… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** February 6, 2015 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Nebraska Appleseed statement on LB 89 heard by HHS Committee Friday Bill would help Nebraska families to stay together while rewarding hard work Friday, Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Rebecca Gould issued the following statement in support of… Read more →
This is your weekly Nebraska Legislature update. Committee Hearings last week Appleseed testified on several bills during Legislature committee hearings last week. LB 12 – A bill to streamline the Medicaid process for eligible Nebraskans who enter and leave the criminal justice system. This bill will improve health care access while saving costs in the corrections system. Appleseed testified in… Read more →
LINCOLN — Today, Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Becky Gould issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s State of the State Address. “We couldn’t agree more with Governor Ricketts when he said Nebraska’s greatest resource is our people, and we echo his spirit of collaboration that we can make a stronger, better state when we work together,” Gould said.… Read more →
New research by two California economists recently highlighted that the United States is doing significantly worse now to protect low-income families from falling into deep poverty than in previous recessions. The research, cited in a new story from Bloomberg View, “Being Poor Is Getting Scarier in the U.S.,” shows the most recent recession that began in 2008 increased the number… Read more →
When kids and families experience tough times the last thing they need is uncertainty about where they will find their next meal. Yet approximately 30 percent of all Nebraska households applying for food assistance needlessly wait longer than a month for approval for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Because of the State of Nebraska’s troubled ACCESS Nebraska benefit processing… Read more →
For Immediate Release Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org Appleseed report offers solutions to increase stability for families and workforce Despite high workforce participation, many Nebraska families struggle to meet basic needs LINCOLN — Strong, productive workers and families are the backbone of Nebraska’s communities and our economy. Unfortunately, many… Read more →
Appleseed very enthusiastically supported a bill during the 2013 Nebraska Legislature session that created a pilot program to encourage Nebraska businesses to hire new employees and grow the state’s economy through wage subsidies. The bill, LB 368, introduced by State Senator Sue Crawford, was a win-win both for businesses looking to grow and hard-working Nebraskans who needed a chance to… Read more →
With the changing nature of the workforce, it’s getting more and more challenging to balance the demands of the jobs we need and the families we love. States around the country are starting to establish policies that promote more family-friendly workplaces, and both businesses and families are seeing the benefits. Please join us for a discussion featuring national expert Ellen… Read more →
October 1st, Appleseed was proud to welcome the newest member of our team when Eric Savaiano joined us as a Program Associate with our Health Care and Economic Justice programs. Eric comes to us from Nashville, Tenn., where he previously worked at an educational nonprofit called the PENCIL Foundation as a Family Resource Center Director at a large, diverse, public… Read more →
Last week, TalkPoverty.org released their state-by-state analysis of 2013 poverty data compiled last month by the U.S. Census. Using a variety of measures, the interactive analysis provides an in-depth look at how poverty impacts various communities across the United States, including each congressional district in Nebraska. Click here to find Nebraska’s poverty data. One of the most alarming statistics was… Read more →
You will have the chance to make your voice heard on raising the minimum wage in Nebraska. In the coming weeks, several public hearings have been scheduled on Initiative 425 to raise Nebraska’s minimum wage to $9.00 per hour. The public is invited to testify at each of these hearings, and we encourage you to show your support. Here is… Read more →
Error rates in food assistance programs nationwide continue to be at record lows according to an analysis from Stateline (a project of Pew Charitable Trusts). This impressive accuracy comes even as the number of Americans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) grew during the Great Recession, which began in 2007. Stateline’s study credited the reduction in error rate… Read more →
A new study released this week highlighted the often-overlooked fact that food insecurity is a problem faced by hundreds of thousands of our friends and neighbors here in Nebraska. The study, Hunger In America 2014, was produced by Feeding America, an anti-hunger organization that operates a nationwide series of food banks. It examines the number and demographics of people who… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Contact, Jeff Sheldon Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 Email: jsheldon@neappleseed.org Class-Action Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Nebraskans Eligible for Food Assistance Suit claims Nebraska DHHS unlawfully delays SNAP beyond legal time frames LINCOLN — Today, Nebraska Appleseed and the National Center for Law and Economic Justice filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of… Read more →
Note: Each year, Nebraska Appleseed is fortunate to work with a number of bright, talented law clerks and interns. This is one of a series of posts that feature Appleseed’s clerks and interns discussing their backgrounds and experiences. As befits all good fairy tales, for Nebraska Appleseed intern Haley Mead it started with a pair of shoes. “I’ve always been… Read more →
Note: Each year, Nebraska Appleseed is fortunate to work with a number of bright, talented law clerks and interns. This is one of a series of posts that feature Appleseed’s clerks and interns discussing their backgrounds and experiences. Nebraska Appleseed law clerk Leigh Ellis has always aspired to fight for social justice. Whether it was working at a grassroots organization… Read more →
Note: Each year, Nebraska Appleseed is fortunate to work with a number of bright, talented law clerks and interns. This is one of a series of posts that feature Appleseed’s clerks and interns discussing their backgrounds and experiences. “Change comes slowly, but with purpose. The issues of poverty, education, social justice, these are all enormous issues that need to be… Read more →
Note: Each year, Nebraska Appleseed is fortunate to work with a number of bright, talented law clerks and interns. This is one of a series of posts that feature Appleseed’s clerks and interns discussing their backgrounds and experiences. Business opens doors. Whether it’s investing in small businesses here in the U.S. or overseas, investing in people is what drives Nebraska Appleseed… Read more →
Measure to raise Minimum Wage to be voted on this fall pending signature verification On July 3, the good news didn’t come in small packages, but in stacks and stacks of large boxes, piled high in the rotunda of the State Capitol. The boxes contained petitions signed by nearly 135,000 Nebraskans from every corner of our state in support of… Read more →
Freedom, opportunity are hard-won concepts. You can help protect them for all. Each Fourth of July provides us with the opportunity to celebrate a uniquely American holiday. With family, friends, food, and fireworks, we raise up the strengths and ideals that create our American identity. We are a country built on the premise of freedom and opportunity, justice, hard work,… Read more →
Note: Each year, Nebraska Appleseed is fortunate to work with a number of bright, talented law clerks and interns. This is one of a series of posts that feature Appleseed’s clerks and interns discussing their backgrounds and experiences. Nebraska Appleseed intern Conner Kozisek, already had a good idea about his future plans from the time he was in Kindergarten.… Read more →
Nebraska Loves Public Schools is a special project from the Sherwood Foundation that has produced a number of short films on the state of our public schools. They have shot thousands of hours of footage and conducted more than 300 interviews with students, parents, teachers, and administrators. “I think if people knew the truth of what some of our kids… Read more →
In Nebraska, 14 farmers’ markets now accept payment in the form of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (formerly called ‘food stamps’). This increases low-income families’ access to fresh produce, locally-sourced dairy products, and even seeds and plants that produce food. This option also benefits local farmers, because the equipment needed to process SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards also allows… Read more →
NOTE: This is guest post from Appleseed intern Christina Guthmann, who has volunteered to gather petition signatures for the ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of working on the minimum wage ballot initiative with Appleseed. My first day on the job, I was trained on circulating by a state senator.… Read more →
In Nebraska we believe hard work should pay. We know Nebraskans work hard, but for many families in our state hard work isn’t being valued like it used to — a lot of people are being left behind. You can help us affirm the dignity of a hard day’s work, rebuild the middle class, and help families earn enough to… Read more →
For Immediate Release June 2, 2014 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Nebraska Participation Drops in Summer Food Program Fewer Nebraska kids served summer meals in 2013 LINCOLN — Participation in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) dropped in Nebraska in 2013 according to a nationwide survey released today. This means more… Read more →
The day after Mother’s Day, Vox published a sobering story that reflects how much more work the U.S. has to do to implement public policies that show we value mothers in their attempt to handle both career and household responsibilities. Vox: “If America really valued mothers, we wouldn’t treat them like this” The story points out how far the U.S.… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** May 1, 2014 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Nearly 100 Nebraska Schools Eligible to Participate in Free School Meals Today, the Nebraska Department of Education announced 94 schools in Nebraska will be eligible to serve more free meals to students using a powerful new tool known as… Read more →
Earlier this month, Nebraska was near the top of the national rankings in a dubious statistic. According to the AFL-CIO’s 2014 Executive PayWatch website a CEO of a Nebraska company was paid, on average, 170 times more than an average worker and an astounding 421 times that of someone making the state’s minimum wage. That is the highest disparity of any state in the country except… Read more →
A bill to raise Nebraska’s minimum wage to $9 per hour (LB 943) failed to pass in the Legislature this session, but its introducer, State Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, is hoping to take the issue straight to Nebraska voters. Yesterday, Sen. Nordquist told the Omaha World-Herald he is attempting to gather signatures for a ballot initiative to raise Nebraska’s minimum wage… Read more →
On Tuesday, the Nebraska Legislature voted down LB 943, a bill that would have raised Nebraska’s minimum wage to $9 per hour for hourly employees and increased the minimum wage for workers who earn tips to 70 percent of that standard minimum wage. Introduced by Sen. Nordquist, with the tipped minimum wage amendment from Sen. Lathrop, the bill received 20… Read more →
You have the chance today to speak up for thousands of hardworking Nebraskans by asking your state senator to support LB 943 to raise the minimum wage in our state. This bill will be debated by the Legislature either today or tomorrow, so please call or email your state senator’s office now and urge them to support LB 943. LB… Read more →
Working hard and taking care of our families are core Nebraska values. While Nebraskans place a significant value on hard work, the economy has changed in a way that has left too many Nebraska families behind. Our state consistently has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and one of the highest rates of parents in the labor… Read more →
A bill to raise Nebraska’s minimum wage to $9 per hour received a priority designation Thursday when its introducer, State senator Jeremy Nordquist, designated LB 943 his priority bill for this Legislative session. Appleseed is a strong supporter of this bill, which would help more hard-working Nebraskans make ends meet and be a step toward rebuilding our middle class. Read… Read more →
More than 26,000 low-income families in Nebraska are headed by working mothers according to the new report, “Low-Income Working Mothers and State Policy: Investing for a Better Economic Future.” The report, which was released today by the Working Poor Families Project and utilizes the latest data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, finds that Nebraska ranks 15th in the… Read more →
Today, Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Rebecca Gould release the following statement about LB 943, which was heard Monday by the Legislature’s Business and Labor Committee. “Hard work is a core value in Nebraska. Our state boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and one of the highest rates of parents participating in the workforce. But our economy… Read more →
Today, Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Rebecca Gould released the following statement on LB 943, LB 955, and LB 956, which were introduced in the Legislature and are aimed at protecting Nebraska’s working families. “Hard work is one of Nebraska’s foundational values, however, the economy has changed and left too many hard-working Nebraska families behind. LB 943, LB 955, and LB… Read more →
It is well-known in the science and children’s health communities that kids who receive enough to eat have all sorts of better outcomes than kids who go hungry. The latest example comes from Calhan Elementary School in Colorado, where the school noticed a series of big improvements after instituting a new Breakfast After the Bell program that makes sure every… Read more →
For Immediate Release December 19, 2013 LINCOLN — Today, the ACCESS Nebraska Working Group, a collection of advocates, community partners, and stakeholders, issued a statement of principles to be used as a guide to improve the troubled ACCESS Nebraska system. Yesterday, the Legislative Performance Audit Office released findings that highlighted severe flaws in the ACCESS Nebraska system. This statement of… Read more →
The true face of poverty and its damaging effects on real American families is on display in the eye-opening documentary “American Winter,” which tells the stories of several families in the Portland, Oregon, area as they deal with job losses, mounting bills, losing their homes, and the toll these challenges can take on a family. A synopsis from the film’s… Read more →
The Nebraska Tax Modernization Committee has finished up its series of public hearings and is now meeting to come up with recommendations for the future of our state’s tax system. We have one more way we would like our state senators to hear from you. Please consider signing this online petition started by Rebuild Nebraska telling our senators you believe… Read more →
At the end of this week, thousands of Nebraska families who receive food assistance will face even more uncertainty because of a nationwide reduction in payments from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. On November 1, there will be a nationwide reduction in payments from SNAP, formerly called ‘food stamps’, which helps about 180,000 Nebraskans – or 10 percent of our… Read more →
Since May, Appleseed has been partnering with Heart Ministry Center and a group of Omaha women who are fighting to break the cycle of generational poverty. A grant from the Women’s Fund of Omaha allowed us to provide these women with digital cameras to document the challenges they face on a daily basis. The result is a moving and enlightening… Read more →
Ever wonder what barriers Omaha women face in breaking the cycle of generational poverty? Please join us for the opening of Valiant Voices: Portraits of Strength, Friday, October 25th at 12:00 p.m., at the First Floor Rotunda of the Capitol. This photo project, supported by the Women’s Fund of Omaha and in partnership with the Heart Ministry Center, showcases the… Read more →
This week, you have a great chance to have your say in the discussion about the future of Nebraska’s tax system. The Legislature’s Tax Modernization Committee will hold its final public hearings in Omaha and Lincoln this week, and they want to hear from you! Thursday, October 17 – Omaha – Metro Community College, South Omaha Campus, 27th and Q… Read more →
Tonight, you’re invited for a first look at the new exhibit “Valiant Voices: Portraits of Strength” at the First Friday art walk in Omaha’s historic Benson neighborhood. “Valiant Voices” is a special photo project that cuts through the clutter and stereotypes of what you think you might know about what it means to live an everyday struggle with poverty. This… Read more →
As you likely know by now, Congress has not been able to come to an agreement to continue to fund many activities and programs. That means on Tuesday, the federal government was shut down. Although many public benefits programs will be able to keep operating because they currently are able to access funding from the prior year, an extended shutdown… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed Statement on Passage of House “Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act” LINCOLN — Today, Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Rebecca Gould released the following statement on the House of Representatives’ “Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act,” (H.R. 3102) passed by the House on Thursday. “SNAP helps Nebraskans feed their families when they face hard times. The bill approved in… Read more →
No Nebraskan should have to go hungry. But, this week the House of Representatives will introduce a bill that would slash $40 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps), which helps nearly 180,000 people in Nebraska – a large proportion of them children – get enough to eat. We are urging you to call your congressman… Read more →
In the 1970’s the United States had nearly wiped out hunger in our country. So, why are almost 50 million Americans struggling with hunger today? Why are more than 23.5 million kids and teenagers overweight or obese? What triggers and connects these trends? Come to a free showing of “A Place at the Table” and join a community conversation about… Read more →
Our state’s tax system affects every Nebraska family, and changes in tax policy can have big implications especially to families that make low incomes. To make sure our tax system is fair for our state’s lowest-earning families, Appleseed is keeping a close eye on the discussion about possible changes to Nebraska’s tax system made by the Legislature’s Tax Modernization Committee.… Read more →
Last week, we told you about newly released data that shows 1 in 7 Nebraska households struggle with hunger, while at the same time, the House of Representatives will introduce a bill this month that will slash $40 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps thousands of working families and children in Nebraska get enough to eat.… Read more →
According to new data released Wednesday, 1 in 7 Nebraska households struggle against hunger. The statistics, compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service, show 13.4 percent of Nebraska households struggled with hunger on average in the years 2010-2012 according to the USDA’s annual report on food insecurity. More than 48.9 million Americans lived in households that… Read more →
Hunger impacts many of our friends and neighbors here in Nebraska. According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 13.3 percent of households in our state are food insecure. This population includes working families, children, senior citizens, disabled individuals, and even low-income veterans. Thankfully, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides a vital support for 180,000 Nebraskans struggling to… Read more →
Last week, Nebraska took a major step forward in supporting the educational needs of adults making low incomes. With LB 240 now in effect, all parents in the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) Program can meet their full work requirement by participating in GED, English as a Second Language, or Adult Basic Education programs. In the past, restrictions around age… Read more →
Today, OpenSky Policy Institute, a nonpartisan Nebraska organization dedicated to fiscal research and analysis, released results of a new study on what a large cut in the state’s income tax could mean for our state’s economy. The results indicate Nebraska would send a large chunk of revenue out of state if it implemented a risky tax structure that recently has… Read more →
Note: Each year, Nebraska Appleseed is fortunate to work with a number of bright, talented law clerks and interns. This is one of a series of posts that feature Appleseed’s clerks and interns discussing their backgrounds and experiences. Name: Emily Johnson Hometown: Victorville, California Position: Economic Justice Intern About Me: “I go school at Hastings College, I’m a senior this… Read more →
A critical debate is underway in Nebraska about our current tax system. The Legislature created the Nebraska Tax Modernization Committee to examine these issues. This group, composed of 14 state senators, will hold meetings the rest of the year to decide what, if any, changes need to be made to our state’s tax structure. As part of that process, the… Read more →
Note: Each summer, Nebraska Appleseed is fortunate to work with a number of bright, talented law clerks and interns. This is one of a series of posts that feature Appleseed’s clerks and interns discussing their backgrounds and experiences. Name: Makayla Haussler Position: Intern Hometown: Lincoln, Neb. (Junior-to-be at Lincoln Southwest High School) About me: “I’m about to be a junior… Read more →
In response to the passage of the House’s version of the Farm Bill, Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Rebecca Gould, issued the following statement: “It is unfortunate that today the House passed a Farm Bill that did not include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provisions. This raises serious concerns about the future of SNAP, which is a critical support for… Read more →
Note: Each summer, Nebraska Appleseed is fortunate to work with a number of bright, talented law clerks and interns. This is one of a series of posts that feature Appleseed’s clerks and interns discussing their backgrounds and experiences. Name: Victoria Rosenboom Position: Fellow Hometown: Ashland, Nebraska About Victoria: Victoria is a senior at Nebraska Wesleyan University, studying political science and… Read more →
SNAP is at risk – We need your help! No Nebraskan should go hungry. However, nearly 14 percent of Nebraskans were food insecure in 2012. This means about 250,000 people in our state struggled to get enough to eat, including 80,000 children who received SNAP benefits. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a vital support to these Nebraskans who… Read more →
A recent Women’s Fund research report “How Are Women Doing in Omaha?” highlighted several concerning statistics about women in poverty here in Nebraska. The report found women are more likely to have incomes below the Federal Poverty Level and African-American women were four times as likely as Caucasian women to live in poverty. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of Omaha families… Read more →
Note: Thousands of children in Nebraska are food insecure and struggle to get enough to eat in the summer months when they are out of school. Summer Food Service Program sites across the state do amazing work helping feed kids each year to make sure they don’t go hungry. This is the conclusion of our blog series during “National Summer… Read more →
On Monday, June 10, the U.S. Senate passed its Farm Bill by a vote of 66-27. The Senate bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation setting many of our nation’s farm and food policies, includes a huge cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Specifically, the Senate bill cuts $4.1 billion from SNAP over ten years by eliminating “Heat and… Read more →
Note: Thousands of children in Nebraska are food insecure and struggle to get enough to eat in the summer months when they are out of school. Summer Food Service Program sites across the state do amazing work helping feed kids each year to make sure they don’t go hungry. During “National Summer Food Service Program Week,” we will feature several… Read more →
When the school year ends, many hungry children lose access to the school breakfasts and lunches they receive during the school year. Meals provided through the Summer Food Service Program play an important role in making sure these children have access to nutritious food once the school year ends. This program is federally reimbursed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture… Read more →
Note: Thousands of children in Nebraska are food insecure and struggle to get enough to eat in the summer months when they are out of school. Summer Food Service Program sites across the state do amazing work helping feed kids each year to make sure they don’t go hungry. During “National Summer Food Service Program Week,” we will feature several… Read more →
Note: Thousands of children in Nebraska are food insecure and struggle to get enough to eat in the summer months when they are out of school. Summer Food Service Program sites across the state do amazing work helping feed kids each year to make sure they don’t go hungry. During “National Summer Food Service Program Week,” we will feature several… Read more →
Making sure Nebraska’s children have enough to eat all year round is one of the biggest responsibilities we have as a community. Many people are surprised to learn 42 percent of Nebraska children access the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program. However, many kids can’t access these meals in the summer when they’re not in school, and many families that… Read more →
Right now, the U.S. Congress is making important decisions about funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Funding for SNAP is included in the Farm Bill, a comprehensive piece of federal legislation authorizing and regulating funding for most federal farm and food policies. Congress reauthorizes the Farm Bill every five years. Last week, the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture… Read more →
Education is one of the best paths out of poverty. Indeed, literacy, GED credentials, and other basic education skills are absolutely essential for economic independence. The Nebraska Legislature made strides towards making education more accessible by passing a bill that helps improve educational opportunities for low-income families. LB 240, a bill sponsored by Senator John Harms, allows low-income parents over… Read more →
Every Nebraska child should be safe while their parents are working, so affordable, quality child care is vital to allow our state’s families to be strong. You have a chance today to take action to strengthen working Nebraska families. Please call your senator and ask them to support LB 507, “The Step Up to Child Care Act.” Each year about… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed invites you to attend our upcoming webinar regarding supportive services for students in Nebraska, Extra Credit: A Guide to Resources for Non-Traditional, Parenting, and Low-Income Learners on Thursday May 2 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. James Goddard, director of Appleseed’s Economic Justice and Health Care Access programs will give you the information you need to help students… Read more →
When the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) started the initiative called ACCESS Nebraska, the goal was to modernize service delivery in public programs by moving to a system with increased reliance on technology and fewer personal caseworkers. But, since its creation, clients have experienced many problems with the new system, including lost documents, long call wait times, and… Read more →
Recently, the Food Research Research and Action Center (FRAC) released a new report examining the national percentage of households facing a food hardship – not having enough money to buy the food they or their families need. According to the report ”Food Hardship in America 2012” Nebraska has a food hardship rate of 13.8 percent. Although this is better than… Read more →
The great work ethic of Nebraska’s labor force is one of the most important drivers of our economy. LB 368, introduced by Senator Sue Crawford, would create opportunities for Nebraska businesses to hire new employees and grow the state’s economy through wage subsidies. “LB 368 creates a subsidized employment pilot program that creates new job opportunities for low-income Nebraskans and… Read more →
Affordable child care is vital to allow families to work and to keep children safe. In Nebraska, the Child Care Subsidy Program provides assistance to low-income families that are working their way toward independence by helping cover the costs of childcare. Unfortunately, Nebraska ranks at the bottom of the country in income eligibility for the Child Care Subsidy Program, creating… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed is pleased to announce it has received a new grant from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) to support its anti-hunger work. FRAC is a lead advocacy organization working to end hunger in America through stronger public policies. These new funds will support Appleseed’s work to raise awareness about the extent of hunger and poverty in our… Read more →
Yesterday, Appleseed joined dozens of testifiers from around the state – farmers and business leaders, college students and faith groups, health care administrators and advocates – in opposing the regressive tax plan laid out in LB 405. In a hearing that went for nine-and-a-half hours, Nebraskans from all over the state waited well into the night to tell the Revenue… Read more →
We oppose LB 405 because it would result in a regressive tax structure that puts that good life at risk. By depleting a significant portion of revenue for the state, this proposal reverses the investments we have made for generations in the very things that make Nebraska strong – great public education, safe communities, and healthy families. We recognize the… Read more →
Monday, Nebraska Appleseed staff testified in front of the Legislature’s Business and Labor Committee on several bills aimed at encouraging honest employment practices and protecting hardworking Nebraskans. Darcy Tromanhauser, Director of the Immigrant Integration and Community Participation Program, testified in support of LB 560 which seeks to prevent wage theft in Nebraska and ensure that a day’s work equals a… Read more →
A new Nebraska Appleseed report shows how Nebraska’s working families are strengthened by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). “Policies That Work: How the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Can Help Working Families,” provides an overview of the challenges many working Nebraska families face to pay for their basic needs, and illustrates how policy change to allow greater access to SNAP… Read more →
Despite more families holding jobs, the ranks of the working poor are increasing according to a new report from the Working Poor Families Project. The report, “Low-Income Working Families: The Growing Economic Gap,” shows nearly one-third of the nation’s working families are paid wages so low they struggle to meet their basic needs. Indeed, according to the report, 32 percent… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Becky Gould issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s State of the State Address today. “This morning, Governor Heineman laid out his priorities for the next year in his State of the State Address. We agree that the State of Nebraska is strong and a great place to live. Because of this, we are… Read more →
This is part of a series looking back on Nebraska Appleseed’s work in 2012. Protecting right to treatment for young children with developmental disabilities In May, Nebraska Appleseed filed a lawsuit on behalf of two children with developmental disabilities who were denied Medicaid coverage of medical treatments despite the treatments being deemed medically necessary by their doctors. Read the petition… Read more →
Getting a degree is one of the best long-term pathways out of poverty for low income families. Degree completion is also important to colleges and universities, especially important now as more non-traditional students are seeking post-secondary education. Research shows that access to public assistance programs, such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, can help keep students in school… Read more →
We know that hard work is one of the values Nebraskans take the most pride in. But, how do we match up the Nebraskans who want to go to work with well-paying jobs that can help them succeed? 60 Minutes recently ran a story on what is called “the skills gap.” According to the story, there are more than 3 million open… Read more →
Last week, we talked about the coverage gap that about 78,000 Nebraskans would fall into if the Legislature chooses not to implement the new Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. These are Nebraskans that don’t qualify for the current Medicaid program, but don’t make enough to be able to get tax credits to buy health insurance through the Exchange.… Read more →
As we get ready for Thanksgiving this week and our thoughts are turning to the upcoming holiday season, summer seems far away. But it’s not too soon to imagine great possibilities for summer feeding programs for our kids, thanks to new funding from the Nebraska Department of Education Nutrition Services Division. Many people are surprised to discover that 42 percent… Read more →
Economic security for Nebraska families is key to making our state great. But, despite working hard, too many Nebraska families struggle. A new assessment from Nebraska Appleseed released today examines how Nebraska stacks up in key economic indicators for working families. The Nebraska Opportunity Scorecard measures economic security, economic mobility, and economic opportunity in the state compared to the rest… Read more →
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act this summer was unexpected in that it made one important provision of the law – the ACA’s new Medicaid program – optional for states. This means if Nebraska decides not to implement the Medicaid program, it could create a coverage gap that leaves tens of thousands of Nebraskans without any… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed does a lot of work to encourage more educational opportunities for people with lower incomes because we believe education is the best ladder for people to climb out of poverty. Better education means better, higher-paying jobs that can support families and allow hard-working Nebraskans to be self-sufficient. By 2018, 66 percent of all jobs in Nebraska will require… Read more →
The great work ethic of Nebraska’s labor force is one of the most important drivers of our economy. Nebraskans work hard, and our businesses – especially small businesses – count on that hard work for success and economic growth. At the same time, Nebraska’s working people need new opportunities to earn family supporting wages. That’s why Nebraska Appleseed testified Thursday… Read more →
At a time when the highest-paying occupations and fastest-growing fields in Nebraska all require some type of academic credential or training, job-seeking adults with limited educational backgrounds are often at a disadvantage. Fortunately, parents in the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) program have the right to take part in meaningful work activities that help them reach their goals – including… Read more →
Tuesday, the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee held an interim study on the progress made by ACCESS Nebraska, the state’s new public benefit delivery system. ACCESS Nebraska was designed to modernize the public benefits system and improve efficiency, but there have been many problems that have occurred as a result of the transition. At the hearing, several Nebraskans testified… Read more →
In this October edition of “Appleseed in Action”: Affordable Care Act community forums in Omaha & Lincoln Nebraska Student Organizing Conference: Oct. 20-21 Meet our law clerks! Nebraska’s emerging public interest leaders More than 325 people celebrate at the Good Apple Awards Stand Up For Justice: A Poster Show Benefiting Nebraska Appleseed Affordable Care Act community forums in Omaha… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed recognized several courageous Nebraskans Thursday night whose work has contributed to the fight for justice and opportunity for all at the 2012 Good Apple Awards. More than 300 people attended the Good Apple Awards at the Omaha Livestock Exchange Building ballroom. Thursday’s event was the fourth such awards celebration for Nebraska Appleseed and drew its largest crowd ever.… Read more →
The U.S. Census Bureau recently released a study regarding poverty nationwide and in Nebraska. What does this data tell us about how we are faring as a state? Five key points become clear: 1. Nebraska’s poverty levels are not improving: The number of people nationwide living in poverty remained essentially unchanged from a year ago, but slightly more Nebraskans are… Read more →
Appleseed’s annual Good Apple Awards is less than one week away and Appleseed is excited to highlight our final honoree. The Milo Mumgaard Emerging Leader Award, named after Nebraska Appleseed’s founding executive director, recognizes young, emerging leaders who have a vision for the best of what Nebraska can be and, through initiative, hard work, and dedication, are pushing to make… Read more →
This is one of a series of posts from Appleseed’s summer law clerks discussing their experiences at Nebraska Appleseed I was born and raised in Nebraska and lived there until I left for law school, so many of the problems and issues facing Nebraska are very close to my heart. My experience working at Nebraska Appleseed was absolutely amazing and… Read more →
This is one of a series of posts from Appleseed’s summer law clerks discussing their experiences at Nebraska Appleseed Over the course of the summer, I was able to assist the Nebraska Appleseed office attorneys in a number of areas. The main project I worked on over the summer dealt with child welfare litigation. My office brought a class-action suit against… Read more →
In just two weeks, Appleseed will celebrate Nebraskans who stand up for justice and opportunity for all at the 2012 Good Apple Awards Make your reservations today. Individual tickets are $50. Young professionals tickets are $35. Tickets for students, seniors, and fixed-income are $20. 100% of your purchase directly supports Appleseed’s efforts fighting for justice and opportunity for all. Join… Read more →
In just two weeks Appleseed will host the Good Apple Awards on October 4 in Omaha. We wrote recently about some of our honorees including Senator Kathy Campbell and the Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Act Coalition. This year, Appleseed is proud to present our Roots of Justice Award to a trio of Omaha community leaders who work together to build multi-ethnic alliances to help protect the voting… Read more →
Throughout the year, Nebraska Appleseed is fortunate to work with exceptionally bright young advocates through our intern and law clerk program. These students provide valuable support sharing their energy, creativity, and passion for social advocacy. This summer, Appleseed was fortunate to have eight public interest-minded law students clerk in our office: three from the University of Nebraska College of Law,… Read more →
In this September edition of “Appleseed in Action”: New data on poverty in America UNMC report reveals Medicaid expansion would cover 90,000 uninsured Deferred Action Forum: a new opportunity for DREAMers Appleseed files petition for hearing on meatpacking worker health & safety Join us at the Good Apple Awards on October 4 New data on poverty in America On Wednesday,… Read more →
On Wednesday, the U.S. Census Bureau released its latest poverty, income, and health care statistics. The data indicate that while the number of Americans living in poverty has stabilized from increases since the start of the economic recession, more must be done to help the millions of Americans still suffering under the crushing weight of poverty. According to the Census… Read more →
Jessica Bartholow is one of the brightest and most hard working anti-poverty advocates out there, and I’m proud to know her. She shares her story, and her questions for President Obama and Governor Romney regarding how they would ensure economic security in this article from “The Nation.” Jessica is a testament to the idea that smart investments in our people,… Read more →
As we discussed last week, Nebraska and every state is facing devastating cuts to important programs beginning January 1, 2013. That is, unless Congress replaces these cuts with a different approach. Recently we encouraged our Congressional delegation to replace these across-the-board cuts with a balanced approach to deficit reduction, one that would include significant new revenues. We are not alone… Read more →
In the discussions about how to fix our broken health care system, much has been made on how much it would cost the state to take up the Affordable Care Act’s new Medicaid guidelines. But an editorial in today’s Lincoln Journal Star shines a light on the huge cost of uncompensated care that hospitals and insurance companies pass on to… Read more →
Yesterday, a guest column appeared in the Lincoln Journal Star written by James C. Roumell titled “What I built – with government help.” Mr. Roumell is, by the classical definition, a self-made man. He grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Detroit. He went to college. He started a small business that has grown into a very successful financial asset… Read more →
Today, the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Center for Health Policy released a report examining the potential economic impact the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) new Medicaid program would have on Nebraska. The results paint a clear picture that the state would receive significant returns on an investment made in the good health and well-being of its citizens through this new… Read more →
Nebraska and all the states will face devastating cuts to their federal funding beginning January 1, 2013, if no action is taken by Congress to address the automatic cuts required by the Budget Control Act. The Budget Control Act required a committee to come to a deal regarding budget cuts to make for deficit reduction. Unfortunately, the committee did not… Read more →
A few months ago the Nebraska Legislature passed Legislative Bill 599 (LB599), which restores coverage of prenatal care to all unborn children, regardless of the immigration status of the mother. The law went into effect on July 19, so women can start applying for and receiving coverage for prenatal care services as long as they meet certain Medicaid requirements. There… Read more →
The Lincoln Journal Star discussed ACCESSNebraska in a staff editorial that ran in Wednesday’s paper. Nebraska Appleseed joins the Journal Star in calling for greater efficiency and accountability in providing these essential services that so many of our lowest-income Nebraskans depend on. Read more →
We have some exciting news to share: Appleseed is going to the Maha Music Festival on August 11! Each year, the nonprofit and volunteer-led Maha Music Festival in Omaha brings the community together around great local and national music. As Maha puts it, “It’s about being in Omaha and loving every second of it. In the plainest sense, Maha is… Read more →
The temperature hasn’t been the only thing heating up in Nebraska the past few weeks. The debate on whether Nebraska will take the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion – and expand health care coverage to at least 50,000 uninsured Nebraskans – has been heating up as well. In spite of the heat, Appleseed has been out and about in the… Read more →
Milo Mumgaard is the founder and former Executive Director of Nebraska Appleseed. Peter Edelman recently wrote an on-point opinion piece in The New York Times on the challenge of ending poverty. This article is sobering stuff with the release of the annual poverty figures coming out next month, which will show the highest percentage of Americans living in poverty since… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed has been watching carefully the implementation of ACCESS Nebraska, our state’s new way of managing public assistance programs like food stamps and Medicaid. Some of you may be wondering: how is it going? This article from the Omaha World Herald provides an update on ACCESS Nebraska from multiple perspectives: “Nebraska’s Food Stamp Errors Carry High Cost” In summary,… Read more →
Last month, former Nebraska Appleseed intern Hung Vo, a current student at Lincoln High School, had a blog post published in HuffPost Teen, a teen-focused offshoot of The Huffington Post. Hung took a look at the other side of the popular 2006 movie The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith – a classic rags-to-riches story of a man who lifted… Read more →
Nebraska advocates urge expanding health care coverage under Affordable Care Act Today, representatives of several Nebraska organizations, including Nebraska Appleseed came together in support of the opportunity under the Affordable Care Act to increase access to health care coverage. The ACA creates a new program that will provide coverage to persons under the age of 65 who have incomes below… Read more →
54% of Nebraska’s uninsured population with incomes below 138% of the federal poverty level could gain access to health insurance through an expanded Medicaid program. Read more →
“The salvation of the state is watchfulness in the citizen.” These words are engraved over the entrance to Nebraska’s state capitol. They have added meaning here in Nebraska, the only state in the nation with a Unicameral Legislature. Today, a new report from the OpenSky Policy Institute, “Looking for Clarity: An Overview of Nebraska Budget and Tax Policy” was released.… Read more →
Here’s a great opportunity to learn more about engaging in advocacy on issues you care about from the great folks at the Center for Rural Affairs. We have a few spots left – RSVP today. You can help us spread the word by forwarding this email to friends, family and neighbors who might be interested. Grassroots Advocacy Training –… Read more →
In this edition of “Appleseed in Action”: Health Reform: Quality, affordable and constitutional health care for all; Arizona’s SB1070: Socially toxic and unconstitutional; Lilly Ledbetter in Omaha: One Woman’s Battle for Justice; You’re Welcome in Omaha!; Take Action: Opportunity for DREAMers Read more →
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps), is frequently referred to as the nation’s first line of defense against hunger. Since the beginning of the program, SNAP has helped millions of Americans avoid hunger and malnutrition, especially children, the elderly, and people with disabilities (for a historical perspective on SNAP, watch “Food Stamps Make America Stronger”).… Read more →
It is not easy to find a job that will pay sufficient wage to support a family. Indeed, in today’s economy, education and skills are needed by all – young and old. That is just part of what I learned last week in Chicago at the Working Poor Families Project (WPFP) training, where advocates from all over the country gathered… Read more →
During the school year, thousands of Nebraska children benefit from the National School Lunch Free and Reduced Price Meals program. This program assures that low-income kids have access to nutritious meals in schools so that they can learn and grow. Unfortunately, hunger rates increase in the summer, especially for kids. In Nebraska, we reach just one in ten kids who… Read more →
The end of the 2012 Nebraska legislative session finished with a flurry of activity on prenatal care, child welfare, and a number of Appleseed’s priority bills passing. You can read about these successes and other recent efforts in the latest edition of our bi-annual newsletter “At the Core.” Download a printable copy of “At the Core” Inside you can read… Read more →
All Nebraska children should have the support they need to be healthy and productive as they grow up. Early behavioral health services are proven to be most effective for children, save money, and are required by Medicaid under federal law. On Friday, Nebraska Appleseed, with our partners at the National Health Law Program (NHeLP), filed a class action lawsuit against… Read more →
Today, Nebraska Appleseed and the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) filed a class action lawsuit in Lancaster County District Court against two officers of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on behalf of two children who have been denied necessary behavioral health treatment recommended by their doctors. The suit challenges an HHS Medicaid policy that excludes certain… Read more →
Save the Date! Nebraska Appleseed’s 2012 Good Apple Awards Thursday, October 4, 2012 Livestock Exchange Building Ballroom 4920 S. 30th Street Omaha, NE Cocktails & hors d’oeuvres: 6pm Program & ceremony: 7pm honoring Senator Kathy Campbell Jim Wolf Equal Justice Award This year, Appleseed is proud to recognize Senator Kathy Campbell with the Jim Wolf Equal Justice Award for her… Read more →
Yesterday was a great day for Nebraska’s children. The Legislature voted 30-16 to override the Governor’s veto of LB 599 and restore Nebraska’s decades-long policy of providing prenatal care and prioritizing the health of Nebraska children. Thank you for calling and emailing throughout this debate. Being engaged in this process truly made a huge difference! We also must thank the 30 senators… Read more →
This was a very good week at the Legislature for children in Nebraska and several of the other issues we have prioritized at Nebraska Appleseed. The bill to restore prenatal care, LB 599, passed its final round vote and was presented to the Governor yesterday. And several of Appleseed’s priority bills became law this week. Here is a quick recap:… Read more →
VIGIL TO RESTORE PRENATAL CARE TODAY: Wednesday, April 11, 5pm Help ensure that all Nebraska babies have the chance at a healthy start in life. Join us! Wednesday, April 11 5pm-6pm State Capitol, Lincoln (West side of the capitol building – at the statue of Lincoln – 14th Street & Lincoln Mall.) The effort to restore prenatal care is… Read more →
Hunger Free Heartland Anti-Hunger Summit Join Hunger Free Heartland and partners to talk about what is being done to end childhood hunger here in in the metro area (Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie counties) and across Nebraska. View: “Hunger Hits Home”, a new documentary from Share Our Strength. Learn from advocates and local legislators what you can do to affect change and make a difference! See more… Read more →
The Nebraska Legislature is on the verge of passing LB 599, a bill to restore prenatal care to all low-income children. For decades the State of Nebraska maintained the wise and fiscally smart health policy to provide prenatal health coverage and ensured that all children had a chance at having a healthy start to life. Our state’s investment in prenatal… Read more →
There has been a good deal of activity at the Legislature on Appleseed’s priority issues since the last update. Here is a quick summary: “Green Lights” In the Capitol’s legislative chamber, there is a large sign listing each Senator’s name. When a Senator votes in favor of a bill, a light next to their name turns bright green. “Green Lights”… Read more →
Here at Nebraska Appleseed, we have heard a lot about ACCESS Nebraska, the new system for managing Health and Human Services programs using on-line applications and call centers instead of caseworkers. We’ve heard from intake callers, folks who participated in listening sessions this fall, and people who testified at the interim study hearing and bill hearing. The case for action… Read more →
Every five years, Congress reauthorizes the Farm Bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation that includes, among other items, SNAP/Food Stamps. This year, the Farm Bill is up for reauthorization. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senators Nelson and Johanns are key players in the Farm Bill reauthorization effort. As Farm Bill deliberations heat up, we need to demonstrate… Read more →
THURSDAY, March 22, 2012 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Douglas County Election Commissioner’s Office 225 N. 115th Street & Davenport, Omaha The Douglas County Election Commission has announced it will close almost half of the longtime polling places in Omaha which will have a disproportionate effect on North and South Omaha, the elderly, the disabled, and people who do not have… Read more →
The “Kids Crusin’ Kitchen” mobile summer food truck visited the Nebraska State Capitol today to draw attention to childhood hunger problems and solutions. The truck, operated by the Food Bank for the Heartland, The Salvation Army, and Hunger Free Heartland, serves meals to children in low-income communities during the summer. “One in six children in Nebraska struggles with hunger,” explains… Read more →
It’s March Madness. If your office is anything like Nebraska Appleseed’s, the intense water cooler conversations have begun. Competition can bring out the best in us. It can push us to stretch our boundaries, find new ways to get things done, and do our best. It’s time for Nebraska to educate and innovate to compete. LB 1079 is currently under… Read more →
On Monday, the Nebraska Legislature voted 36-0 to approve LB 842 on general file. The bill will ensure that Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) recipients can continue to pursue an Associates Degree for up to 36 months to meet their work requirements under the program. The policy prior to 2009 only allowed ADC recipients to pursue an Associates Degree for… Read more →
Nearly one in five Americans and one in seven Nebraskans had difficulty affording food in the last year according to a report, “Food Hardship in America 2011,” released by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). “It’s concerning that food hardship continues to increase in our state, as does participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Free and… Read more →
My name is Brian Schnieder, and I’m part of the ambassador family for the March of Dimes in Omaha, Nebraska. Seven years ago, my son Jackson was born prior to twenty-five weeks. My wife had a medical condition that was undetected until she was further along in her pregnancy. He was born weighing one pound, one ounce, and was small… Read more →
This is the inaugural edition of Nebraska Appleseed’s Legislative Update, our regular look at the Unicameral’s work on issues impacting working families, immigrant Nebraskans and the communities where they live, children in foster care, access to health care, voting rights, and more. We are sending you this edition because you have already subscribed or we hope you will after reading this update.… Read more →
There is a great editorial this morning from the Lincoln Journal Star calling for the restoration of prenatal care coverage and the passage of LB 599. The editorial notes the irrefutable moral and fiscal reasons for restoring coverage and, we believe, rightly notes that it is time to debate this issue. It is time that voters understood who would not… Read more →
The Aid to Dependent Children program provides critical support to very low-income families and has the goal of helping families achieve economic security as quickly as possible. A key part of the program is that all adults must participate in a work activity for at least 30 hours a week. Currently, parents participating in Nebraska’s ADC program may pursue an… Read more →
Nebraskans have a strong work ethic, and our labor force is one of our most important economic strengths. Nebraska businesses, especially small businesses, rely on our workers to help create economic growth and success. LB 1136 would utilize existing funds to provide employers opportunities to bring on additional employees with time-limited wage subsidies to help their businesses grow. It would… Read more →
Legislation passed by the Nebraska Unicameral in 2009 is opening the doors to higher education for low-income parents, according to a report released today by the Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest entitled “Choosing Education.” The report indicates that 13.3% of Nebraska’s cash welfare caseload is currently engaged in education that could lead to an Associates Degree, thanks in… Read more →
The state’s child welfare system is in great need of reform. A vital piece of ensuring reform is effective is to prevent children from entering the system unnecessarily. LB 1063 is intended to address gaps in Medicaid services for children, which needlessly push children into the system to obtain the mental health services they need. Indeed, LB 1063 makes certain the Medicaid program plays its… Read more →
It all began when Trisha Thompson landed an internship here at Nebraska Appleseed. “I started interning on the intake line at Appleseed last summer and pretty much fell in love with it,” said Trisha. After graduating with her B.S. in psychology from Peru State College, Trisha is happy to be officially on board at Appleseed serving as our new Intake… Read more →
We fully support LB 1079 and believe it will both build opportunity and effectively leverage resources for positive impact. Improving the education and skills of our current workers is essential to our future workforce competitiveness. Nebraska faces a skills gap in the future and working families are a part of the solution. [DDET LB 1079 Testimony] My name is Kate… Read more →
The 2012 Legislative session is off to a fast and furious start. We are already a third of the way through this short (60 day) session and Nebraska Appleseed is working on more bills than ever before. We’d like to highlight some of the key issues we are working on in our programs and give you an opportunity to get… Read more →
On February 1, the Health and Human Services Committee held a hearing on LB 1041 and LB 1016. Both of these bills are intended to address problems with the ACCESS Nebraska system. Appleseed supports both of these bills. LB 1041 would streamline HHS systems to make them more efficient and effective for everyone. LB 1016 would provide resources to community… Read more →
LB 1090 will help children access the food they need in the summertime to learn and grow. Providing access to healthy, nutritious foods is important for children’s health. The Summer Food Service Program provides federally funded meals to sites at nonprofit organizations, schools, and other locations to reach hungry children in the summer when free and reduced price meals are… Read more →
On Monday, Nebraska Appleseed’s Executive Director testified at the Appropriations Committee in response to the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services’ appropriation request. Appleseed believes that DHHS’s budget must invest in and protect low-income children and families’ needs. [DDET Appleseed Testimony] Senator Lavon Heidemann Chair, Appropriations Committee State Capitol, Room 1004 Lincoln, NE 68509 Re: Agency 25, Department of… Read more →
Denying the Credit to Some American Children Doesn’t Make Sense By Marshall Fitz , Sarah Jane Glynn of The Center for American Progress As the February deadline for Congress to extend the payroll tax holiday through 2012 approaches, members of Congress continue to come up with inhumane and counterproductive ways to offset the loss of tax revenue. Rather than look to the wealthiest citizens… Read more →
Yesterday, Nebraska Appleseed’s Executive Director Becky Gould testified at the Nebraska Legislature’s Revenue Committee in opposition to LB970. The bill would cut state income taxes and corporate taxes in Nebraska. The bill would significantly decrease revenue to the state’s general fund and hinder the state’s ability to invest in the future – a strong child welfare system serving vulnerable children and… Read more →
“I’m here … because I think that voting rights are the basis of our democracy. When I see voting rights come under attack I feel personally attacked and my heart goes out to people this bill will affect,” said Claire Hillan when asked why she gathered with over 70 other Nebraskans at the State Capitol Wednesday to lobby state senators… Read more →
“Waiting for Midnight” has nothing to do with Cinderella. Instead, NBC’s Rock Center recently drew attention to a different kind of “mad dash.” Hungry families across America are waiting for midnight at the first of the month when funds under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) become available. With our country’s current economic woes, more… Read more →
The holidays are a time of year when our thoughts turn to people who are struggling in our communities. It’s a time of year when we are not only thinking of the needs of our friends and neighbors, but also of the reasons behind their difficulties, and hoping for a year ahead with new possibilities and opportunities for family success.… Read more →
Confronting Food Insecurity in Our Communities Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mariana Chilton, Center for Hunger-Free Communities FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, STUDENTS, STAFF AND FACULTY November 16, 2011 5 PM—7:30 PM Henzlik Hall, Room 124, University of Nebraska-Lincoln city campus Millions of Americans experience hunger and food insecurity on a daily basis. Hunger has long-term impacts on child and human… Read more →
Last night the Senate considered taking action that would limit states’ flexibility in serving struggling families during difficult times and would cut food assistance to 19,000 Nebraska families. Thankfully, this bad amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations bill was voted down on a 41-58 vote. The amendment, proposed by Senator Sessions, would have eliminated state flexibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance… Read more →
This summer, I met up with Omaha graphic designer Justin Kemerling of The Match Factory to discuss an idea for an Appleseed art exhibit. We’ve worked with Justin on a number of Appleseed projects – most recently our Voices from Fremont poster exhibit chronicling how residents witnessed a sense of division, hostility, and suspicion in Fremont since the town passed a restrictive immigration ordinance in 2010. Justin’s work… Read more →
I talked with a group of working parents at the Center for People in Need this week. The hot topic there, as in the rest of the nation, was JOBS. The good folks I spoke with talked about daily schedules shuttling kids, trying to study, and working long hours. They talked about the need for education and job training that… Read more →
Do the new census figures reflecting that one child in five in Nebraska struggles with poverty worry you? Have you followed recent child welfare system developments with concern? Do you think that access to prenatal care should be available to all who need it to protect the health of mothers and babies? The newspaper headlines in our state have been… Read more →
Last week, the U.S. Census Bureau released new data about the economic well-being of our nation and our state. Here are five facts you should know about poverty in Nebraska: More than one in five children (18.2%) in Nebraska experienced poverty in 2010. This is 3% higher than 2009. Minorities in Nebraska experience poverty at a disproportionate rate compared to… Read more →
My time working as a summer law clerk at Nebraska Appleseed flew by. I was excited to work for an organization motivated by the values of justice and opportunity. By the end of the summer, I had a deeper understanding of both the challenges advocates face when addressing systematic inequality, as well as the creative strategies organizations like Appleseed use… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed is honored to announce that Karen X. Gómez & Maria Dávila of Columbus, Nebraska, will be one of the inaugural recipients of the Roots of Justice Award. Karen and Maria truly embody the vision of this award. Unsung grassroots heroes, these two are quietly working to build important nonprofit infrastructure in rural Nebraska and to do their part to create strong,… Read more →
It has become cliche to talk about the children as our future. It is more likely to conjure up a 1980s ballad rather than the obvious truism that underlies the statement. But John Cavanaugh and Building Bright Futures (BBF) have recognized the basic truth that if we create or leave in place barriers to a good and productive future for… Read more →
In 1996, Nebraska Appleseed’s founder Milo Mumgaard developed a vision for a public interest law firm that could take on the toughest issues facing low-income and marginalized Nebraskans. He started small with a one person operation run out of his basement and through hard work, dedication and skill, grew the organization to twelve staff in eleven years. Part of the… Read more →
Have you ever wondered about whether or not you or your clients qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps)? Is your organization a Community Based Partner for ACCESS Nebraska, the new on-line public benefits application, and you are looking for tools and resources? If so, Nebraska Appleseed’s new Guide to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Outreach in… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed is excited to announce that Pastor Janet Goodman-Banks of Lincoln will receive the inaugural Roots of Justice Award. Janet, a nurse and former coal miner, has been one of Appleseed’s strongest community allies in the historic push for comprehensive health reform. Janet’s story of being diagnosed with stage II breast cancer and struggling with her health insurer to… Read more →
Earlier this spring, a number of us at Appleseed got to talking about how fortunate we’ve been these past fifteen years to work alongside so many great community volunteers who push for a more just and equitable Nebraska. Many of our best community education and legislative efforts have succeeded in concert with grassroots volunteers all across our state – expanding… Read more →
We all know that a lower income means more struggles for families. Families with greater economic resources are not only able to better provide important inputs into their children’s development such as nutritious meals, safe neighborhoods, and higher-quality educations, but higher incomes have also been shown to improve parent’s psychological well-being and parental interactions with children. However, public perceptions remain… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed joined organizations from across the state Tuesday to urge the President and Nebraska’s federal representatives in Washington to develop a budget that reflects Nebraska values. In a Statement of Principles, Nebraska organizations called on the President and Congress to address the federal deficit while also protecting vulnerable Americans and economic security. It is important that we are speaking… Read more →
Economists at Harvard and MIT recently examined the question of whether the expansion of Medicaid coverage under new health reform laws will translate into medical care that people need. The outcome? The results were encouraging, providing evidence that Medicaid does indeed make a very positive impact on the lives of recipients. Medicaid, a federal-state program for low-income and severely disabled… Read more →
Important discussions have been happening this summer as members of Congress debate how to balance the federal budget and address the national deficit. Many of the deficit reduction proposals would severely affect Nebraska’s most vulnerable populations and have a negative impact on our state’s economy. Several proposals being considered would reduce the deficit by implementing deep spending cuts in public… Read more →
I remember the feeling of satisfaction I had when I hammered a nail into the wall of my first “real” office and hung up my diploma – a feeling of satisfaction and pride. A feeling that my hard work had finally materialized into something concrete that I could hang on a wall. Across the state, hardworking Nebraska families have that… Read more →
In April 2011, the Legislature passed LB 465. This new law changes eligibility for some public benefit programs for certain lawful permanent residents. A lawful permanent resident (LPR) is an immigrant with a green card, who is legally admitted to the U.S. to live and work on a permanent basis. Below is a Q&A to help you understand who is… Read more →
Opportunity is a value that is deeply woven into American culture. Opportunities to get an education, to earn a living, and to make a life for your self and your family are essential to developing “The American Dream” in our nation and in our state. It’s what the Low Income Economic Opportunity Program is all about: building a Nebraska where… Read more →
There are incredible children in my life. My little friends draw me pictures of reindeer and teach me how to do pirouettes. They remind me about what really matters – things like friends, family, good teachers, and afterschool snacks. The kids in my life don’t know what an appropriation is or what the term revenue forecast means. They do know… Read more →
At Appleseed we have long worked on programs that help people work. Often called “work supports,” these are the things in our lives that make it possible for us to go to work and maintain our jobs. One clear example is child care. Having a safe place for our children to go while we work – whether that is a… Read more →
At the capitol, in the legislative chamber, there is a large sign listing each Senator’s name. When a Senator votes in favor of a bill, a light next to their name turns bright green. Yesterday, those lights turned green in overwhelming favor of LB 543, legislation to address hunger in our state. The bill passed the second round vote and… Read more →
Today, Nebraska Appleseed celebrates its 15-year anniversary! Fifteen years ago, our founders incorporated Nebraska Appleseed with the mission that, like Johnny Appleseed, we would “sow the seeds of justice” across the Great Plains – advocating fairness, opportunity, and equal justice for all people. These core values continue to drive our staff, interns, volunteers and supporters to address systemic problems at… Read more →
In good times and in bad, families and communities remain priorities for Nebraska. The economic downturn has had an impact on state budgets and on family budgets, and our state leaders are facing difficult choices in the 2011 legislative session. In spite of this challenge, several bills that are positive for families are gaining momentum. These bills help our government… Read more →
A small business of her own. A chance to coach sports. A college degree. These are just a few of the American Dreams of Nebraskans profiled in “Opportunity: Points of View” a new photography exhibit supported by Nebraska Appleseed. The exhibit reflects the stories of hardworking Nebraskans who have overcome life obstacles, ranging from a young Mom in Ogallala to… Read more →
$16.39 per hour. That’s what it takes to “make ends meet” for a single parent with a preschooler in Omaha. It’s $15.38 in Lincoln, and $11.66 in Scottsbluff. These numbers are just a few examples of the wages needed by families in Nebraska based on the newly released “Self-Sufficiency Standard for Nebraska 2010” released by Nebraska Appleseed. “The Self-Sufficiency Standard… Read more →
This week, the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 was signed into law. The bill is a win for children’s health and well-being in Nebraska and nationwide. Watching the bill become a law in a signing ceremony that was (appropriately) held at Harriet Tubman Elementary School, I was proud of the work that Nebraskans and Nebraska Appleseed did to… Read more →
Jobs: they’re what’s on everyone’s mind as we work to build economic recovery. What job opportunities are available in Nebraska? What jobs are “good jobs”? What jobs have growth potential? What jobs pay wages that support families? Our “Nebraska Appleseed’s Top Jobs for Families in 2010: Jobs that Contribute to Economic Recovery and Family Success“ report is intended to contribute… Read more →
In 44% of low-income Nebraska families, neither parent has any post-secondary education. In 2018, 66% of jobs in Nebraska will require post-secondary education. There is a skills gap in our state: too many folks lack high school and post-secondary credentials, and too many jobs require them. This is a problem for workers now, and for our overall economy in the… Read more →
Best practices for addressing state budget shortfalls have been identified by a group of ten nonprofit organizations today in a report entitled “Smart Choices in Hard Times: Best Practices for State Budgets.” “When budgets are tight, families are counting on smart budget choices that protect what matters most. We have to look at the budget as a whole so that… Read more →
It’s a new month: October. Fall is officially here bringing with it crisp cool weather and Halloween. But for many Nebraska families, the turn of the calendar page means much more. Public benefits programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) and Aid to Dependent Children (cash welfare) “kick in” at midnight on the first day of… Read more →
In spite of poverty rates that show Nebraska faring better than the rest of the nation, data show thousands more Nebraskans are low-income, according to a report released by the U.S. Census Bureau, “Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009“. One in ten Nebraskans (9.9%) faced poverty in 2009. This is equal to the rate of… Read more →
September is Hunger Action Month and the momentum is building to address childhood hunger in Nebraska and Nationwide. Our vision of assuring that all kids have the food they need to grow, learn, and succeed is within reach. As a nation, we are turning our eyes towards the goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015. As a state, we are… Read more →
My name is Robbie McEwen, and I have been a law clerk at Nebraska Appleseed for the last nine months. I have had the opportunity to work with every attorney in the office, and to work on many different issues. I can tell you honestly that every assignment that I have worked on has involved an interesting area of the… Read more →
While working as a summer law clerk at Nebraska Appleseed I have had the opportunity to be exposed to a wide range of public interest issues, as well as a number of strategies for addressing those issues. Every situation is unique, requiring creative thinking and hard work to reach the best solutions. For example, certain complex legal problems necessitate combing… Read more →
I came to Nebraska Appleseed knowing that many of the policies I would advocate would be under attack. I was right, and the common complaints were all present. If a benefits program wasn’t too expensive, it was creating incentives for illegal activity. It is easy for groups to attract support simply by shouting others down, but the quiet, untiring work… Read more →
I could not have asked for a better summer clerkship experience. I feel extremely fortunate to have had a clerkship where I could both sharpen the skills I learned during the first year of law school and serve the needs of others. This summer, I worked in Appleseed’s Low Income Economic Opportunity Program. Through the research I was able to… Read more →
Ever since I decided to go to law school I have been interested in public interest law. So, when I began searching for a job to keep me busy between my 1L and 2L years of law school, I was excited to come across Nebraska Appleseed. While I wanted to work in an area of law that I was interested… Read more →
Each summer, Nebraska Appleseed’s law clerk program attracts some of the best and brightest public interest minded law students from Nebraska and across the country. This summer was no exception. We were fortunate to have eight students: three from the University of Nebraska College of Law, three from Creighton University Law School, one from the University of Iowa College of… Read more →
The calendar has clicked over to August. The scramble to soak up the last days of summer and begin preparing for going back to school begins. At Nebraska Appleseed, our Low Income Economic Opportunity Program is also thinking about school for low-income families. Nebraska Appleseed has long recognized that education is one of the surest pathways out of poverty for… Read more →
Last week Appleseed won a lawsuit in the Nebraska Supreme Court which restored Medicaid benefits to hundreds of low-income parents unlawfully dropped from the program by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In the suit, Davio v. HHS, 280 Neb 263 (2010), class members challenged HHS’ policy of terminating a person’s Medicaid benefits as the result of… Read more →
Nebraska is at a crossroads. The choices we make today about building and supporting our workforce will impact quality of life in our state for years to come. According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, Nebraska ranks 7th in the nation for future need for workers with post-secondary education, yet only 36% of our workers have… Read more →
Ahh, summertime. For me, summertime in Nebraska brings back memories of swimming lessons, playing with kittens, and eating picnics of sandwiches, peaches and popsicles on our front porch. Unfortunately, for too many kids in Nebraska, summertime is a time of hunger, rather than one of carefree days and picnic meals. According to a new report, “Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation:… Read more →
Nebraska’s budget should reflect Nebraska’s priorities. This seems like a simple statement, but really, it says quite a lot. It says that Nebraska values of family and community should drive our budget choices, it says that our shared resources should be directed at strengthening our families and workers, and it says that we should invest in opportunities that allow people… Read more →
Last week Appleseed testified on a major shift in Nebraska’s Medicaid program. The state is moving to a “full-risk” managed care program in ten counties contiguous to Omaha and Lincoln on August 1. For over a year Appleseed has been expressing serious reservations about this change. (You can read our testimony here) The fundamental orientation of full-risk managed care is… Read more →
In March the Governor and the Department of Health and Human Services decided to stop a decades old policy of providing prenatal care to all low-income women and over 1,600 women and unborn children lost access to prenatal care. A simple administrative fix is still available to remedy this change and Appleseed and others will continue to push for a… Read more →
For many years, Nebraska Appleseed has worked to protect access to health care for low-income families in our state. We continued to strive towards this goal recently in the Nebraska Supreme Court, by representing a class of over 400 low-income families that had lost Medicaid health care coverage. In the case of Davio v. Nebraska Department of Health and Human… Read more →
“I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as if they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.” – Helen Keller This quotation has hung on… Read more →
What does the economic downturn and emerging recovery mean to Nebraskans? Specifically, what does it mean to our friends and neighbors, the folks we sit next to at church or PTA meetings at the high school track meet? Over the past few years, we’ve heard multiple answers to those questions. We hear that times are getting better and that times… Read more →
I’ve been fortunate this week to participate in meetings with Jay Connor, Executive Director of the Collaboratory for Community Support. This organization is dedicated to helping communities break down silos and work together towards positive outcomes. He uses a quotation from movie director Frances Ford Coppola to discuss the need for collaboration in community initiatives. When asked what the difference… Read more →
Education is one of the clearest pathways out of poverty. Nebraska Appleseed has been repeating this statement nearly since our inception, and our work has paid off: Nebraska welfare recipients are able to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree full time, and recently, our state expanded the time frame that recipients can pursue an Associate’s Degree from 12 months to 36 months.… Read more →
I was recently asked by my law school alma mater (University of Nebraska College of Law) to reflect on my choice to pursue public interest law in Nebraska and how law school had prepared me for that task. As I wrote out my answers, I realized how lucky I was to stumble upon Nebraska Appleseed almost nine years ago. I… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed has been a long time advocate for working families. In particular, we are supportive of programs that are responsive to family needs in difficult economic times. Unemployment Insurance is one such program, and last week Nebraska’s State Senators gave first round approval to a bill (LB 1020) that would make it even stronger. Unemployment Insurance is paid into… Read more →
For many years, Nebraska’s Medicaid program covered prenatal care for the unborn children of pregnant women, regardless of a woman’s immigration status. But, on March 1, many unborn children of pregnant women lost prenatal care covered by Medicaid. Since this changed happened there seems to be confusion about what services Medicaid will continue to cover. At Nebraska Appleseed, we are… Read more →
Yesterday, the efforts to restore prenatal care to all low-income women in Nebraska in this legislative session came to an end.  The Legislature passed an amendment that may help a handful of women access prenatal care who were cut off on March 1st and are victims of domestic violence. We are obviously glad to see critical prenatal care restored to… Read more →
Today we have a “guest blogger†Alessia Satterfield, a fantastic University of Nebraska-Lincoln Student Intern at Nebraska Appleseed. Take a look to see Nebraska Appleseed from an Intern’s perspective! When I stepped through the doors of Nebraska Appleseed I had no idea what to expect. I had done my research and had perused the website in order be as knowledgeable… Read more →
It was quite a week for health care. (Please keep reading for important info on a sign on letter for prenatal care.) First, on Tuesday, President Obama signed the health insurance reform legislation into law. Last night, the final amendments to that legislation were passed by the House, completing the long and arduous process of passing this legislation. It is… Read more →
Nebraska workers and Nebraska Appleseed have cause to celebrate as the legislature has passed a bill, LB 961, that works for working people in our state. LB 961, introduced by Senator Council, will make it easier for job training programs in rural and high poverty areas to access economic development funds through the Job Training Cash Fund. LB 961 makes… Read more →
Sad news today. LB 1110, Senator Campbell’s bill to restore prenatal care coverage, was “bracketed” today by unanimous consent. This means that, while the bill is technically still alive, it won’t come up on the floor this session and is essentially dead. Unfortunately, politics prevailed over good policy and there weren’t enough votes to pass the bill. Here is the… Read more →
Nearly another whole week has gone by for over 1,500 women and children cut off from prenatal care. Thankfully, there were a few bright spots this week in the effort to pass LB 1110. The Omaha World Herald came out with a very strong editorial in support of LB 1110. Other press stories made clear that the majority if calls… Read more →
I am blogging today from Washington, D.C.  I am attending the Food Research and Action Center’s Annual Anti-Hunger Policy conference and visiting our federal delegation. There is a real movement here surrounding President Obama’s goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015. This would mean that by the time our current class of sixth grade students graduates from High School child… Read more →
Monday, March 1st was not a good day for Nebraska. On Monday, over 1,500 women and their unborn children lost their access to prenatal care. For decades Nebraska has been a state that prioritized the health of the mothers and babies in this state. On Monday, the Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services decided that wasn’t important… Read more →
Increasingly, the economic downturn is leading Americans, and Nebraskans, to access public benefits programs such as Child Care Assistance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In fact, the New York Times ran a recent story about “the new poor†entitled “Millions of Unemployed Face Years without Jobsâ€. The story chronicles the experiences of folks who never imagined they would… Read more →
Last week, we launched our Economic Opportunity Campaign, which is a values based policy agenda to build opportunity in the state.  The Campaign puts forth a vision where programs and policies change the odds for working Nebraskans. The vision includes job training, adult education, child care assistance, and access to health care. In that spirit, we are celebrating five fantastic… Read more →
For years Nebraska has had a common sense, compassionate, and fiscally sound policy of providing prenatal care to low-income mothers regardless of immigration status. But now, over 1,000 pregnant women face the terrifying prospect of losing their coverage for prenatal care as of March 1st. One of the worst parts of this? The coverage could easily be continued at a… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed has used the tag line “Core Values, Common Ground, Equal Justice” for a long time. We look to these central principles in a variety of ways about a variety of issues. Last Thursday, our own Becky Gould testified regarding ACCESS Nebraska – our state’s on-line application system for public benefits programs. And, in many ways, the Nebraska Appleseed… Read more →
For many of us, the holidays bring great feasts – traditions ranging from turkey and gravy to oyster stew to Mom’s infamous Christmas cookies. For many of us, they also make our thoughts turn to those who are not able to celebrate the holidays in the same way. In the weeks surrounding the holidays, hunger has made local, state, and… Read more →
Think for a minute: Who do you know that lost a job in 2009?  Chances are that you can think of someone. I can think of many: The wife of an old friend, a caller to Nebraska Appleseed’s Intake line, a parent I know at a local school…Job loss has been difficult for many families this year.  Nebraska has a… Read more →
This Thursday, December 3, the Obama Administration will hold a Summit on Jobs and Economic growth. The summit will bring together business leaders and financial experts to talk about ideas for expanding the economy and creating jobs. This is an important step in moving forward the national conversation about jobs. Across the nation, this is the worst economic crisis since… Read more →
I love Thanksgiving. My Dad (my favorite farmer) cooks for us, and this year, I have not one but two beautiful nieces to giggle with at the table.  This is what valuing family means to me. I am grateful for a good meal, for family, and even for the baby drool and stuffing that will inevitably end up on my… Read more →
Last week, I was lucky enough to sit in on an adult education class in a small Nebraska community. The first assignment was to write a simple letter to a friend. Many of the students were attending the class in order to learn English. In an attempt to see what the class might be like for the students, I took… Read more →
Did you know that in issuing regulations on lobbying, the Internal Revenue Service has stated that public charities “may lobby freely†so long as lobbying is within specified limits? Last week, I had the pleasure of sharing that message at the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) Annual Summit http://www.nonprofitam.org/ The Summit was a great event, with fantastic attendance and… Read more →
Last week I attended a town hall meeting hosted by the State Senators representing Lincoln and Lancaster County about the current budget shortfall and the upcoming special session of the State Legislature to address the gap. I was genuinely touched by the number of Nebraskans speaking out on behalf of low income families. Person after person stood up to speak… Read more →
The impending budget shortfall in the state will force Nebraskans to make some very tough and clear decisions about our priorities. Senator Nordquist and members of the Appropriations Committee have created a new way for you to express your priorities to them as they work on these difficult budget cuts. They want to hear from you. Please go to www.nebraskabudget.com… Read more →
Brain drain, a high proportion of low-wage jobs, and the current economic downturn all negatively impact the well-being of Nebraska’s families, communities, and economy. At the same time, our workforce is one of the most dedicated in the nation and, in spite of recent increases, our unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the nation. So what do we… Read more →
In the past few months you might have heard about Legislative Bill 403 (LB 403), which went into effect on October 1, 2009. LB 403 was passed by the Nebraska Unicameral in March, 2009. LB 403 has two distinct parts. First, LB 403 requires state agencies and political subdivisions to verify the lawful presence of applicants for “public benefits.†Second,… Read more →
September is Hunger Awareness Month. As a part of this nationwide effort to draw attention to the issue of hunger in America, Nebraska Appleseed is releasing a report tomorrow entitled “Ending Childhood Hunger in Nebraska: Strategies for Improving and Maximizing Child Nutrition Programs.†The report shares the unsettling finding that one in seven children in Nebraska is food insecure, meaning… Read more →
In these times of economic struggle, it’s tempting to focus only on the difficulties facing our state and our families. While the Low Income Self Sufficiency Program will continue to address issues ranging from unemployment to increased poverty rates, this week, we’re taking a hiatus from the problematic to bring you some good news. And, in fact, there’s plenty of… Read more →
One in ten Nebraskans currently lives in poverty according to new Census data released last week. One in ten…One in ten folks driving down I-80 on your commute to work this morning…One in ten parents at your PTA meeting…One in ten people attending your church service on Sunday… The truth is that the recession is taking a toll on our… Read more →
What is “The Good Lifeâ€? We Nebraskans love to talk about it, but I don’t often hear people define it. Think about it for a minute – what does “The Good Life†mean to you? This term means different things to different people, but generally, it refers to a high quality of life that involves healthy people, safe communities, and… Read more →
Today many children across the state don new backpacks, sharpen their pencils, and begin the giddy walk to the first day of school. Thinking about the first day of a new school year always makes me remember the nervous feeling I would have in my stomach on the first day, accompanied by a series of questions running through my mind:… Read more →
[kaltura-widget wid=”o1s82qbvqo” width=”400″ height=”365″ style=”margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 5px;” addpermission=”” editpermission=”” align=”right” /]Recently, I attended a great event entitled “Tools for Education” at an organization that is doing excellent work in Nebraska, the Center for People in Need. In addition to sharing backpacks and notebooks to prepare kids for the upcoming school year, the Center for People in Need gave folks… Read more →
In recent months, the economic downturn has strengthened the value that Nebraskans place on a hard day’s work. Now, more than ever, we recognize and appreciate the opportunity to earn a living to support our families. This is, in part, why we can celebrate the recent minimum wage increase from $6.55 to $7.25 which will provide a much-needed boost for… Read more →
Opportunity is a crucial word for Nebraska Appleseed. It is central to our mission for the Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Program. Part of our fundamental purpose is to grow the vision of opportunity for all in Nebraska and to work towards opening the doors to basic needs, education, and job opportunity in our state. This summer, we asked folk s across the… Read more →
In the next few months, it will be my job to tell people about a recent Nebraska Appleseed “win.” This year, Nebraska Appleseed, along with Senator Harms from Scottsbluff and numerous advocates and supporters, worked to pass LB 458, legislation that allows families that participate in the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) program to pursue an education for 36 months.… Read more →
Nebraska newspapers recently reported that our state has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation at 4.4%. Certainly, this is a positive sign for Nebraska’s economy – and it’s good that we are not seeing the record breaking unemployment rates of over 10% in Nevada, Oregon, Michigan, and California. However, in our role as an advocates for low-income Nebraskans, it’s… Read more →
What does a good public assistance program look like? From the Appleseed point of view, basic principles would apply: Folks would have all the information they need to make good decisions, clients would have opportunities for choice and self-determination, and all people would be treated with dignity and respect. Our legal and public policy reform efforts continually work to create this vision… Read more →
Visionary. Strategic. Innovative. These are a few of the words I would use to describe the folks that attended our Town Hall meeting in Scottsbluff, Nebraska http://www.wehavejobs.net/ last week. Scottsbluff may be considered a small community by some, but the leaders I spoke with had big ideas for their community and for the state. The meeting addressed three major issues:… Read more →
One in ten Nebraska adults does not have a High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Startling, isn’t it? In our evolving, knowledge-based, technology-driving economy, the lack of basic skills is a real barrier – not only for workers in need of jobs that pay family supporting wages, but also for employers in need of skilled workers. In spite… Read more →
This apparently simple question is deceptively complicated. Families everywhere grapple with “the dinner question” on a daily basis. What’s in the fridge? When is Mom getting home from work? Can the vegetable hating seven-year-old be convinced to eat something with tomato sauce? And, increasingly, is there enough money in the checking account to stop at the store? Dinner. In a… Read more →
Summertime in Nebraska brings with it some pretty wonderful things: corn on the cob, road trips down I-80 to lakes and campgrounds, and baby farm animals getting big enough to run and play. I don’t care if talking about how much I love this wholesome Nebraska summertime stuff makes me sound like your Grandma. The Heartland in June is a… Read more →
Just over six months ago, Nebraska voters, by a smaller margin than was anticipated, passed a constitutional amendment to prohibit laws and policies that help those who have traditionally and to this date, been denied equal access to a wide range of opportunities. As part of that debate, and recently at the national level with the nomination of Judge Sotomayor,… Read more →
The next time you are at a t-ball game, or a parade, or at the local pool, take a good look around. One in four working families in Nebraska is low-income, meaning that they have difficulty meeting their basic needs and struggle to get ahead. Maybe it’s the high school janitor, whose kid plays third base. Maybe it’s your neighbor,… Read more →
