Please let me begin by sharing updates from last week.
On Monday, we presented opposition testimony to LB 698, a bill that would overturn portions of the paid sick leave ballot initiative that received 75% of voter support in November. We asked you to submit online comments and you delivered (294 letters of opposition compared to nine letters of support)! This engagement continued through the end of the week into the hearing for LB 89. The only bill on the agenda, opposition testimony outweighed supporters five to one carrying the hearing until almost midnight. As we heard from so many, the bill does nothing to advance women’s rights and puts more people in danger.
Even beyond the strong showing from Nebraskans, the way we all showed up to care for each other and be in community was symbolic of the way we will continue to engage in policy advocacy work—always together, strongly rooted in our values and fiercely fighting for everyone to thrive. If you missed your opportunity to submit comments on either bill, voice your opposition directly to the respective committees (Business and Labor for LB 698 and Government, Military and Veterans Affairs for LB 89) and share your own reasons why these bills should not advance the bills out of their respective committees.
Right now, Senators are debating in the morning bills that have moved out of Committee and hearings on introduced legislation continue in the afternoon. Keep checking our website and the legislative calendar for updates.
KEY UPCOMING HEARINGS
A reminder that online comments can be submitted up until 8:00 am (CST) the day of the hearing to be considered as part of the official record. Click on the linked bill number below and then find the box that reads, “Submit Comments Online” to add your testimony.
Anti-abortion lawmakers will stop at nothing to continue to push care out of reach for Nebraskans. We OPPOSE LB 512 (Sen. Rick Holdcroft) that would increase barriers to abortion care by adding unnecessary steps for patients while also adding criminal penalties for doctors. The bill will be heard by the Health and Human Services Committee.
Several bills will be heard by the Judiciary Committee starting at 1:30 pm in Room 1525.
- SUPPORT LB 17 (Sen. John Cavanaugh) to prohibit certain landlord rental fees, such as capping late fees and limiting returned check fees.
- SUPPORT LB 267 (Sen. Victor Rountree) to increase protections for domestic violence survivors in housing by providing for the removal of an occupant who commits domestic violence and requires landlord to change locks for safety.
- SUPPORT LB 469 (Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh) to require all eviction notices to include important information about resources for tenants.
View our housing justice fact sheet (Spanish) to learn more about the intersection between gender equity and access to safe, affordable housing.
We will be in front of several committees on this day sharing testimony. The bills we are focused on include:
- SUPPORT LB 68 (Sen. Jane Raybould) would provide insurance and Medicaid coverage for birth control including up to 12-month supply as prescribed by a health care provider. This bill will be heard by the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee.
- SUPPORT LR7CA (Sen. Myron Dorn), a constitutional amendment that would increase legislative salaries to $30,000 annually. We support this pay increase that would make it possible for more people to consider running for office. The resolution will be heard by the Executive Board.
- OPPOSE LB 258 (Sen. Raybould) that seeks to limit the minimum wage increase passed by voters and create a sub-minimum wage for young people. The bill will be heard by the Business and Labor Committee.
If you made it this far through the blog, if you showed up recently at the Capitol, if you submitted any number of online comments—THANK YOU. Your voice, engagement and support ensure that we can continue to create the communities we want. Continue to stay engaged, and please reach out if you have any questions.
We keep moving forward, together. ❤️