The state is wiling to set aside $25-100mil to reimburse wealthy donors for giving to private schools but won’t spend $300,000 to help feed 150,000 NE children. Rejecting $18mil in federal funds just means that states other than NE will benefit from our federal tax dollars.
Gov. Jim Pillen’s administration decides not to participate in a new summer child nutrition program worth $18 million to Nebraska kids.
From
@cgonzalez_NE
This is utterly unacceptable. For him to target a colleague in such a vile way, with callous disregard for the trauma experienced by survivors of sexual assault, is evidence of his complete lack of moral character.
Reading a graphic depiction of a rape scene, Sen. Steve Halloran interjected Sen. Cavanaugh's name (I don't believe he specified which one) several times for some reason.
Cavanaugh, through tears, responded that women in the
#neleg
have experienced sexual violence.
Should taxpayers subsidize private schools? The success of the recent ballot initiative indicates Nebraskans want to have a say in Nov. These 33 senators, however, think THEIR voices are more important than OURS. Why would a senator want to silence their own constituents?
By 2027, families with an adjusted gross income of $45,350 will pay the same state income tax rate (3.99%) as a billionaire in the state of Nebraska. The Gov. is correct in saying that Nebraskans have been over-taxed- he’s just wrong about which Nebraskans have been over-taxed.
It’s been a surreal 24 hours. With almost no advance notice, my brother Jim, for whom I’m a legal guardian, was blessed with a kidney donation yesterday afternoon. The transplant surgery went well and he is recovering nicely.
The vote on 1402 wasn’t about taxpayer funded private school scholarships. It was about Nebraskans’ constitutional right to referendum. Don’t be fooled into thinking these senators are listening to you. They voted to silence you.
It’s the site-based Summer Food Service Program that is inadequate, reaching only 2% of eligible kids. With S-EBT we can serve far more kids. The most pressing need is food, not socialization or nutrition education. Just food, and we can help them get it.
Addressing food insecurity is critical, but S-EBT—a federal program leftover from the COVID-19 pandemic—is not adequate to meet the needs of hungry kids in Nebraska. They deserve better.
Read my column:
“Protecting our children” should include protecting the water they drink from environmental contaminants. 85% of Nebraskans receive their drinking water from groundwater.
New
@flatwaterfreep
: 16 hog farms tied to Gov. Jim Pillen’s company have tested for nitrate at levels at least 5 times above the safe drinking water limit.
Experts say some of this nitrate, linked to cancer & other risks, is flowing into our groundwater.
The site-based Summer Food Service Program only serves 2% of eligible NE children, ranking us 50th in participation. If the goal is to feed kids, the Summer EBT program has far greater reach. Kids can’t always get to a meal site, but they can get to the kitchen table.
I loved being a teacher. I resigned when we started our family. I’m also a guardian for my older brother with IDD. Being home allowed me more flexibility to help care for him too. I love my family, and I’m proud of my choices. I know how hard teachers and caretakers work.
I became a public school teacher and special educator because I believe in the value of educating all students. Private schools would have rejected my brother, Jim, who has intellectual disabilities. I support public funds for public schools.
Individual school districts with their locally elected school boards make decisions based on their local needs and circumstances. That’s how “local control” works. The Governor doesn’t get to dictate how the districts utilize their funds.
Gov. Pillen disappointed that despite major influx in state aid to K-12 schools, property taxes statewide still rose by $85 million.
From
@paulhammelNE
I’m concerned about these cuts at a time when DHHS is eliminating the waitlist for DD services and transitioning to a new delivery model. Dir. Tony Green said last week there are not enough service coordinators. Families had many concerns about training and staffing.
The initial list of state positions to be cut under Gov. Jim Pillen's executive order is 18 pages long and includes 362 positions with the Department of Health and Human Services.
Sen. Murman doesn’t trust Nebraska voters to choose their own representatives for the State Board of Education. He’d prefer to impose more executive control over the board by having the governor select at least two members.
Any change to election procedure that results in higher cost - such as increased staff working longer hours- will create an additional burden on taxpayers since elections are funded using local property tax revenue. via
@NE_Examiner
The same group that wrote Gov. Pillen's executive order also opposes expanded childcare, paid family leave, and equal pay for equal work. Should Nebraskans expect more executive orders along those lines?
Language in Nebraska's new executive order called the "Women's Bill of Rights" comes from conservative political advocacy groups.
@AlexWhitneyTV
#Nebraska
It is families and faith communities who are responsible for religious education, not public school districts. Instruction occurs outside school hours, as it should.
In two weeks, 22 of Omaha's gun ordinances will be considered null and void due to the passage of LB77. It's important to know what public safety protections are being taken away. You can read them here-
@MrFishoftheseas
Presidential campaigns don’t need to spend as much time or money in non-competitive states. Look how much attention Nebraska currently gets for its one competitive electoral vote.
Nebraskans, we need your help. Some county election offices are still looking for poll workers for the May 14th primary election.
Serve your community, and help your neighbors vote. Contact your county election office for more information.
Voters choose their elected officials - not the other way around. The system of having lawmakers draw district boundaries around constituencies they prefer is self-serving. It should be done by an independent, nonpartisan group.
@OWHnews
@stoddardOWH
Is there a schedule of the future town halls so that the public can plan to attend? Evening events are likely to be better attended.
On this Labor Day, thank you to the hardworking Nebraskans that make our communities strong! Thank you to the labor organizations that work on behalf of all American workers to ensure fair wages, good benefits, and safe working conditions.
A really well-written article about how to connect with impact to your Nebraska State Senator. I was thankful for the opportunity to be interviewed for the article and hope folks find it helpful.
#TeamBlood
@Beav_fan_in_NE
@DTNeeley
I don’t see it that way. I see the split as more representative of the voters. There are still 2 electoral votes awarded to the statewide winner.
The
#NEleg
must get back to focusing on real issues like childcare, workforce and tax reform.
These attacks on healthcare are distractions meant to sow division.
Nebraskans won’t be fooled. (2/2)
Tonight Husker Volleyball stands to make history not only for the highest-attended women’s event within the NCAA but for the largest attendance at a women’s sporting event period. There is no place like Nebraska! GBR!
It is not lost on us that our family’s joy is another family’s heartbreak. We are grateful to the donor and their family for this gift that will bless my brother for years to come. We are so appreciative of his medical care team and all the people who helped make this possible.
75% of NE’s gun deaths in 2019 were suicides. Contrary to what many believe, suicide attempts are often impulsive and unplanned. This is why safe storage of firearms is so important. That lock gives our loved ones the extra minutes needed for that impulse to pass.
This is what happens when lawmakers play doctor. Confusion, arbitrary requirements, unnecessary barriers, increased burden on the system. From the same folks who say they support limited government!
@sadie_luck
@LindaInChicago
Not at all - Let's allow the people to decide. Nebraskans want to vote on this issue. The majority will tell us what they want, just like they did with Voter ID.
Faced with a pivotal session, we will continue to champion our Unicameral’s nonpartisan tradition. Nebraskans want a
#NELeg
where robust debate, fairness, and public good triumph over partisanship. Keep people and principles first.
#KeepItNonpartisan
#Unicam
#PeopleOverParty
Thank you for all the thoughts, prayers, and support for my brother and our family. Omaha has always been our home, and we are so fortunate to have so many amazing friends and neighbors.
@SheriShuler
Thank you for the kind words. I’m a strong supporter of public schools and I respect Nebraskans’ constitutional right to referendum. Please visit my website at to learn more and find out how you can get involved.
@midwestjm402
@OttemanAnnette
@amkalkowski
Current state law allocates $25-100m and would serve far more impoverished students. The same senators who supported that bill last year, voted yesterday to repeal it and replace it with far less funding. Why would they do that if they believe in the merit of the policy?
In Millard, parents are valued partners in education. Millard School Board member Mike Pate did an outstanding job testifying at the legislative hearing about the many ways Millard Public Schools invites parental involvement in our schools. via
@owhnews
This is a good move for Nebraska. When I returned from college in Ohio, NE wouldn't recognize my Ohio teaching certificate even though the certification process was more rigorous in Ohio. Re-certifying took time and almost prevented me from getting a job that year.
Omaha city officials, including the police chief, opposed LB77, fearing the "one size fits all" approach would threaten both police and public safety in Omaha.
Thank you to everyone sharing their views. This is an important discussion and one that requires your voice. What is fair, equitable, and necessary in terms of taxation? It’s your money. Reach out to your representatives so they know where you stand.
@amkalkowski
Thank you for the support. I’m a strong supporter of public schools and I respect Nebraskans’ constitutional right to referendum. Please visit my website at to learn more and find out how you can get involved.
@bburket21
If the majority of Nebraskans support these taxpayer funded scholarships, why don’t these senators want them to vote on it? Why don’t they want their own constituents to have their voices heard?
I'm concerned that more and more folks will find themselves without adequate medical care as a result of this type of legislation. I'm confident that Nebraska's healthcare providers are committed to caring for their patients under all circumstances.
Instead of appropriating $25-100 million for tax credits to wealthy private school donors, we could invest in more expansive, quality early childhood education. via
@owhnews
Free people read freely. We don’t need the government to tell us what to read and what not to read. We can determine that for ourselves and our families. via
@owhnews
@GinBurger
@corwin_quinton
@NebPubMediaNews
Have you seen a schedule for future town halls? This is one of several planned. It would be nice for the public to know when and where the Gov plans to speak.
@dlk245
I guess she’s forgotten that the Voter ID ballot initiative cost twice as much..or maybe she’s not worried about that because it was funded primarily by Gov. Ricketts’ mother.
@toottootchoo
Why should NE’s federal income tax dollars go to feed kids in other states when 13% of our own kids are hungry? Why should we help struggling families afford private school tuition but not basic necessities like food?
@MrFishoftheseas
@wesjensen86
Not because they disagree with me, but because they troll me, threaten me, and say rude things. I respect healthy debate and think reasoned, respectful discussion should inform decision making. I’m always open and respectful towards folks with different opinions.
New @ FFP: Who’s buying NE? A new FFP investigation shows that corporations, out-of-state investment groups, famous billionaires & a powerful church are gobbling up Nebraska farmland. Together, they’re spending a fortune – and changing the state’s future.
@JROLLROCK
@wesjensen86
Is it not hateful to call someone a nutcase? Or to accuse them of being the most vicious, violent, hateful creature on the planet? Maybe take a minute to self-reflect. You can disagree with my politics all day long, but I am not vicious, violent, or hateful.