Healthy communities are the backbone to a healthy Nebraska. That's why we're supporting bills that cover food, safety nets for young adults and health care reform.
For a quick primer on how to use this guide and other issues we're working on, check out our 2012 Bill Roundup. If you can't make it to bill hearings, you can watch online. Just click the hearing room number in the list next to the video.
LB 507--"Help Young Adults Excel" SUPPORT
Sen. Harms's bill will expand opportunities for young participants in the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) Program to pursue a High School Diploma or GED.
Status: Has been advanced to Final Reading which means one last vote and on to the Governor!
Action: Thank Senator Harms for helping give young Nebraskans opportunities to succeed
Other Groups: Nebraska Appleseed
LB 712--“Your Birth, Your Way” SUPPORT
Right now, Nebraska is one of two states that do not allow Certified Nurse Midwives to attend homebirths. Physicians are allowed to attend homebirths, but most do not want to. Nebraska women deserve safe options to have our babies the way we choose.
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee, Hearing February 22nd
Action: Contact the HHS Commitee, tell them Nebraskans deserve to choose how they give birth. Come to Capitol Room 1510 on February 22nd at 1:30pm to testify.
Other Groups: Nebraska Friends of Midwives
LB 753--“Pop Is Not Food” SUPPORT
Senator Avery’s bill would revoke the free ride sugary drinks have gotten in our state. Right now pop and energy drinks are exempt from sales tax because they’re considered food. Taxing pop like we do alcoholic drinks would bring in $11 million that Avery would divert to preventing obesity in Nebraska.
Status: Referred to Revenue Committee, Hearing February 22nd
Action: Contact the Revenue Committee in advance and let them know you support revoking pop’s free ride. Come to Capitol Room 1524 on February 22nd at 1:30pm to testify.
LB 842--"Keep ADC Opportunies Open" SUPPORT
This bill introduced by Sen. Harms will extend opportunities for Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) Program participants to pursue an Associate's Degree. Right now, the current opportunites are going to sunset, and we want to see them continue.
Status: Hearing was February 15th. Harms has made this his priority bill.
Action: Contact members of the HHS Committee to let them know you support extending opportunites for ADC participants to get an Associate's Degree
Other Groups: Nebraska Appleseed
LB 850--"Grow Our Rural Communities" SUPPORT
Senators Galen Hadley, Kate Sullivan, Tyson Larson and Lydia Brasch introduced legislation that would provide an incentive to individuals moving from outside of Nebraska to counties, primarily rural, that have been affected by population decline. This bill, LB 850, would provide such individuals with an income tax credit of $1,500 per year if they establish residence in one of these counties after having lived outside of Nebraska for five years.
Status: Hearing was January 27th
Action: Contact members of the Revenue Committee and ask that they advance the bill to grow our rural communities
Other Groups: Nebraska Renaissance
