So, the world is on fire, the state budget deficit remains in the hundreds of millions of dollars, prices are increasing on everything from gas and groceries to rent and health care, the job market is abysmal with more than a quarter of unemployed people out of work for six months or longer, and lawmakers are still trying to push their anti-trans agenda while continuing to ignore what voters have already clearly spoken on (and by that I mean Nebraskans have voted against public funding for private schools THREE TIMES NOW). Oof. Can you hear the frustration from there?! Because this isn’t the government working for us. Let’s get into it.
Debate on this biennium’s budget adjustments reached the floor last week with an estimated $125 to $140 million gap still to fill. As second round debate continues this week, we are specifically watching LB 1071, which previously included anti-diversity language that would keep the legislature from being unable to appropriately fund anything that promotes gender, anti-racism or social justice efforts but now includes $3.5 million in public dollars for private education; and LB 1072, which includes hundreds of pages that equal to large cuts in funding to services Nebraskans need like housing and health care access.
These are one-time cuts to make the current budget work, not a sustainable solution to create the good life for all Nebraskans. Did you know that if we eliminated the gender wage gap in Nebraska, our state’s current deficit would be reduced by 60%?! Add that to the growing list of frustrating solutions lawmakers fail to acknowledge.
This is your reminder that the most important thing you can do is contact your senator directly to ask them to support or oppose bills that you care about.
BILL UPDATES
✅ LB 739, introduced by Sen. Victor Rountree, has been placed on General File. The bill reduces the cost of the name change process, which can be helpful to survivors leaving an abusive situation.
✅ LB 753, introduced by Sen. Rountree, would ensure military protection orders are recognized and enforced in Nebraska. This bill has also been placed on General File.
While neither of these bills were prioritized, they didn’t have any opposition during the committee hearings so are potential candidates to be placed on a consent agenda. Speaker John Arch recently announced plans to schedule a few consent calendars this session, which would allow non-controversial, non-prioritized bills that advanced from committees without opposition to still pass. Contact Senator Rountree to ask him to request that LB 739 and LB 753 be put on consent agenda.
✅ LB 878, the bill to require paid maternity leave for state employees, has been placed on General File and is on the agenda today! Introduced and prioritized by Sen. Dunixi Guereca, this bill would meet the needs of new parents who need paid time off to care for their growing families without missing a paycheck.
✅ LB 966, introduced by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh and prioritized by Sen. Megan Hunt, adopts the Hunger-Free Schools Act to ensure more school children in our state have access to free breakfasts and lunch. This bill is now on General File and waiting to be scheduled for debate.
✅ LB 1131, introduced by Sen. Elliot Bostar and added to a package of bills (now LB 901) from the Revenue Committee, passed first round debate. This bill would terminate some tax exemptions for data centers and repurpose those funds to support domestic violence survivors.
✅ LB 1181, introduced by Senator Carolyn Bosn and designated as a Speaker Priority, expands the definition of “homicide victim” to include extended family and others close to the victim, allowing for their notification of bond modification in domestic violence cases. Additionally, it ensures their right to read victim impact statements aloud at sentencing hearings. This bill has advanced to Select File, or second round debate.
❌ LB 926 was voted out of committee and is now on General File. Introduced by Sen. Bob Anderson and receiving only opposition testimony at this hearing, the bill would remove extreme hardship assistance for low-income programs at a time when Nebraskans need more support.
As always, stay connected with us and we’ll let you know when action is needed to protect and advance gender equity in Nebraska!