Local communities must have a say in the decisions being made that affect them. Our vote is our voice and we want all eligible Nebraska voters to participate in the electoral process and vote. This is why we strongly oppose the unnecessary voter restriction amendment introduced last month. A Voter Restriction Amendment has been introduced in Nebraska, placing significant hurdles… Read more →
Fair, nonpartisan, voting district maps are essential to our democracy. Public participation and transparency are an important part of holding elected officials accountable and ensuring our maps facilitate equal representation, by accounting for changes in census data. This is important: The final Congressional and Nebraska Legislature maps will affect how we are represented for the next 10 years! The next… Read more →
Celebrate and recognize the history of Juneteenth The impact of recognizing Juneteenth as the federal holiday with the passing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act cannot be understated. Yet many people don’t know the meaning and significance of Juneteenth. While it took two and a half years for word of the Emancipation Proclamation to reach Texas, it has taken… Read more →
2021 Legislative outcomes for Nebraska families, communities, and racial justices The Legislature wrapped up this year’s discussion and decisions on proposed bills in late May. Despite the obstacles brought by the pandemic, community members like you worked hard to make your voice heard to ensure we are building a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive Nebraska. Read below to find out what… Read more →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Energized. Proud. Inspired. This is what we envision when we see a strong democracy centered around community power. Together with partner organizations Unity in Action in South Sioux City, Centro Hispano in Columbus, Native Futures in Alliance, and Empowering Families in Scottsbluff, as well as local leaders from Lexington, Crete, and SOMOSgi in Grand Island — we contacted more than… Read more →
Over the course of the last several months, including yesterday, Nebraska has seen tremendous enthusiasm and engagement in the 2020 election. As of this morning, more than 73 percent of registered voters cast their vote. That means nearly 1 million voters engaged in the electoral process, with high voter turnout rates from Douglas to Scottsbluff Counties and every community in… Read more →
Last Thursday, the Legislature adjourned sine die. They will not officially return until the start of a new legislative session in January. The last few days were filled with farewells to term-limited senators and final votes on remaining bills on final reading. Appleseed saw a few of our priority bills pass last week, too, and those bills have since been… Read more →
This May, you have two great opportunities to support Appleseed and ensure no one in our communities is left behind amid COVID-19. First, we’re celebrating Omaha Gives on Wednesday, May 20. When you give, a generous supporter will match the first $5,000 donated, dollar-for-dollar. Schedule your gift here now through May 20 and DOUBLE your donation! A week later, we’re… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Thursday, June 27, 2019 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director Office: (402) 438-8853 Ext 119 Cell: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Ensuring all Nebraskans are counted and represented Supreme Court rules a citizenship question cannot go forward before a legally justifiable reason is presented. LINCOLN – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling questioning the administration’s justifications for adding… Read more →
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 →
As we look toward Thanksgiving, we feel deeply thankful for the many wonderful people across the state who worked hard to ensure local community members were ready to vote in this year’s elections! – knocking thousands of doors through rain and snow in a nonpartisan effort to share information about options for voting by mail, early in-person, and at the… Read more →
This week the Legislature will take a vote on passing the state budget while debating two items that will have a big impact on voting rights. Take Actions to protect voting rights Monday, the Legislature will vote whether or not to override the Governor’s veto of LB 75. Introduced by Sen. Justin Wayne, LB 75 would end the arbitrary two-year… Read more →
There’s one more hurdle to overcome to protect voting rights for thousands of Nebraskans. Thursday afternoon, Governor Ricketts vetoed LB 75, a bill that would end the arbitrary two-year waiting period for someone to vote after they complete a prison sentence or probation. Will you call or email your State Senator today? Urge them to vote to override the veto… Read more →
Nebraskans like you have a great chance today to stand up for voting rights. LB 75, introduced by State Sen. Justin Wayne, has passed two rounds of debate and will be up for a Final Reading vote on Monday. This bill would end the arbitrary two-year delay before Nebraskans are able to vote after completing a felony sentence or probation.… 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 from Appleseed… Read more →
Note: This is a guest post from Appleseed intern Lee Kreimer. As a 22-year-old college student, I can’t tell you how many times I have been informed of my naivety and my wishful thinking about the importance of voting. “It does nothing.” “My vote won’t matter anyway.” Or, my favorite response: “Why should I give my opinion about politics? The… Read more →
Today, the Nebraska Legislature voted down LB 111 – an unnecessary and harmful voter suppression bill that would have been a barrier to vote for many eligible Nebraska voters. This action will protect the right to vote for many of our friends and neighbors including people with low incomes, people who move frequently, college students, and people with disabilities. Please… 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 →
