This week’s wimp shut families out of a legislative hearing about child welfare happening today at 1pm.  Senator Tim Gay, head of the Health and Human Services committee, has only scheduled five speakers to testify about an interim study on privatizing the state’s child welfare system.

While we respect the need to hear from the top brass on an interim study, it’s not a reason to shut out families.  Policy isn’t just about turning studies and data into good legislation.  You attack any problem with one eye closed when you don’t have personal context to ground the numbers.

Gay hasn’t commented on his decision, but his staff has said families can still submit written testimony.  It’s short shrift for Nebraska families who have already been exploited by a poor system.