Earlier this month, we kicked off a 25 Days of Action campaign to celebrate our 25th anniversary, with a daily action item for our supporters and partners to participate in. We are grateful for how many of you joined us and invited friends in taking action to get involved at the local, state, and federal levels on economic justice, children’s… Read more →
This week, the Governor signed the state’s biennial budget into law. As we noted last week, that means the remainder of the legislative session will be dedicated to senator, speaker, and committee priority bills. Appleseed priorities moving through the legislative process Here are a few pieces of legislation we are closely watching and hope to ultimately see passed into law. … Read more →
The budget was the primary focus of floor debate last week. Legislators will continue to move the budget through the process this week, along with priority bills. While we are two-thirds of the way through this session, there are still several Appleseed legislative priorities that are pending before the body. SNAP cliff effect bill up for debate today The Legislature… Read more →
Features from this month’s Nebraska Appleseed newsletter: Celebrating House passage of the Dream & Promise Act 25 Days of Action to celebrate Appleseed’s 25th Anniversary How the American Rescue Plan makes Health Care more Affordable Take Action: Together We Stand with Meatpacking Workers Your Story Matters: Share your experiences with SNAP Cliff Effect Join us for Volunteer Appreciation Week! COVID-19… Read more →
Today marks the second day of our 25 days of action, commemorating the 25th anniversary of Nebraska Appleseed. This week, there are two priority bills that you can support by reaching out to your state senator. Your voice can make a difference! SNAP cliff effect bill up for debate The Legislature could debate LB108, Senator John McCollister’s priority bill, as… Read more →
The importance of having steady access to quality, affordable health care coverage is clearer now more than ever. The pandemic has taken a devastating toll on Nebraskans, especially on our essential workers, communities of color, and those without health insurance coverage. Evidence shows that gaps in health insurance coverage can have deadly consequences, causing many to delay care and preventing… Read more →
The Legislature continues to discuss and advance legislation as all-day floor debate is underway for the rest of session. As a reminder, priority bills from senators and committees will be the focus of debate and you can view those finalized priorities here. A number of important issues have been designated as priorities by senators and we will keep you updated… Read more →
The Meatpacking Employees COVID-19 Protection Act (LB 241) passed out of committee and is on the way to floor debate. This is a big step in the legislative process thanks to the actions of workers, families, and communities across the state! But family members and neighbors who work in meatpacking still need your action. Nebraskans working in meat and poultry… Read more →
Today, the House took a significant step by passing the American Rescue Plan and providing urgent relief to millions of U.S. households. This legislation will now go to the President for his signature. The bill not only extends crucial support such as increased food assistance and unemployment benefits, but also temporarily expands other programs and benefits, having the potential to… Read more →
We have reached the end of all-day committee hearings for the session. There are only a few more hearings left this week before the legislature moves to the floor debate phase. We want to thank all of you who took the time to contribute to the hearing process by testifying or submitting testimony online to ensure that we are building… Read more →
We are nearly done with all-day hearings! Except for the Judiciary committee, which will wrap up hearings on Friday, March 12th, this will be the last week of all-day committee hearings. Priority bills from senators and committees will be known by March 11th. We are working hard to try to get a number of bills that would support Nebraska families… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** February 26th, 2021 Contact: Omaid Zabih Strategy Senior Director Nebraska Appleseed C: (605) 310-4060 ozabih@neappleseed.org Lawsuit Filed to Ensure Access to Benefits in the Medicaid Expansion Program Nebraska officials chose to enact an unlawful tiered benefits system, violating Initiative 427 LINCOLN, NE — On Thursday, February 25th, Nebraska Appleseed and the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) filed… Read more →
Each semester, Appleseed is fortunate to work with bright, talented, and dedicated interns and law clerks who are passionate about fighting for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans. We’re excited to have interns and clerks join our team from across the nation virtually! Meet the outstanding Nebraskans who dedicate their time to positive change in our communities. We’re also excited… Read more →
We are in the final weeks of all-day hearings. Every committee but Judiciary will wrap up hearings on Thursday, March 4th, while the Judiciary committee’s hearing schedule will end on Friday, March 12th. All-day floor debate begins the week of March 15th, focusing primarily on senators’ priority bills for the session. Learn more about Appleseed’s priority bills on our blog.… Read more →
2021 priority bills for Nebraska families, communities, and racial justice Each legislative session presents an opportunity to bring long-lasting positive change for our communities. Your voice is important in ensuring that we are building a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive Nebraska. Here is how you can safely advocate during hearings, and you can always call or email your senator to share… Read more →
We continued to testify on several bills during hearings last week, including those on paid leave, child care subsidies, and more equitable access for young adults in the Bridge to Independence program. As we noted last week, we are inching closer to the end of all-day hearings. Every committee but Judiciary will wrap up hearings on Thursday, March 4th, while… Read more →
Appleseed’s health care goals for 2021 Equity. Compassion. Quality. Affordability. Health care coverage is a vital part of enjoying a good quality of life. When every member in our community is healthy, our communities are healthy. The Affordable Care Act, which includes Medicaid expansion, is a great opportunity for thousands of Nebraskans to access quality, affordable health care. The work… Read more →
The Legislature continued its intense pace of hearings last week and Appleseed testified on a number of meaningful bills related to housing, child welfare, and immigration. Speaker Hilgers provided a snapshot of the next month, noting that all-day hearings for all committees except Judiciary will end on Thursday, March 4th. The Judiciary Committee will wrap up hearings on Friday, March… Read more →
Last week, Appleseed testified in support of a number of bills that will make positive impacts across our state. There are several more hearings up this week that Appleseed and others will be participating in too. All-day hearings will continue through at least the end of February and floor debate will resume once hearings wrap up. Your voice is vital… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** January 26, 2021 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 119 C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Nebraska Appleseed’s Molly McCleery Honored as Families USA’s Consumer Experience Health Advocate of the Year Lincoln, Nebraska – On Tuesday, January 26, Molly McCleery, Director of the Health Care Access Program at Nebraska Appleseed, was recognized as Families… Read more →
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday, and here at Nebraska Is Home, we like to think of this as a day on rather than a day off of work. It’s a day of service, reflection, and education, as we commit ourselves to fostering a welcoming Nebraska, where everyone feels they belong – no matter their background or country… Read more →
Today is Day 1 of the 2021 legislative session. Nebraska senators will start the year by introducing new bills on a number of issues, including legislation to address the stark inequities within our systems that have been further exposed during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Nebraska Appleseed Priorities for 2021 Together with you, we will be advocating for meaningful change… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Tuesday, January 5, 2021 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 119 C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Every Nebraskan must have equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of status Lincoln, NE – On Monday, Nebraska Governor Ricketts announced the state’s plan for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. In response to a reporter… Read more →
After months of negotiations, Congress has passed an emergency COVID-19 relief package that will provide urgently needed support to Nebraskans. While the passage of this long-awaited relief will provide direct payments, housing assistance, increased support for many families, and more, this bill still falls short of meeting the level of need in our Nebraska communities. Along with a large spending… Read more →
For many, the holiday season is a time filled with joy and shared with loved ones. It is a time when families come together and share gratitude and food. While gathering may look different this year, we should all be able to come home safely to our loved ones. But Nebraskans who process our food in meat and poultry plants… Read more →
