Hello Friends and Neighbors,

We’ve reached day 80 of our 90-day legislative session, with the last day of normal legislative activity on June 2nd. After a few recess days, the session will wrap up on June 9th. These layover days are key in case a veto override is needed. Time will tell how much we can accomplish, but there are still some highly controversial bills likely to come up for debate.

One of these is LB316, which would effectively ban most consumable hemp products by reclassifying them as marijuana. Instead of creating reasonable regulations, this bill takes a heavy-handed approach that will harm Nebraskans who rely on hemp products for relief and wellness. This is overreach, plain and simple. It is currently on Select File. 

It’s hard to understand how LB530 is still advancing despite the overwhelming evidence against it. This bill would allow kids as young as 11 to be detained. Locking up fifth graders doesn’t improve public safety; it fails to address the root causes of the challenges these kids face. We should be investing in resources that help young people succeed, not criminalizing them at an age when they’re still developing and figuring out the world. The bill is on Select File.

Despite overwhelming public opposition, the Legislature advanced LB89 ("Sports & Spaces" anti-trans bill) to Final Reading with an attached amendment, narrowing its focus by removing the "spaces" sections (bathrooms, locker rooms, state agencies, and intramurals). Let’s be clear: there is no compromise when it comes to basic human rights and dignity. Discriminating against transgender Nebraskans remains fundamentally wrong. This bill is still harmful, unnecessary, and rooted in fear rather than fact, regardless of any amendment. You can view the full vote here to see which senators don't value their fellow Nebraskans' humanity. 

You may recall that I've previously introduced several bills to end the unjust lifetime ban on SNAP benefits for individuals with certain prior drug offenses throughout my time in the Legislature. This ban does not exist for any other type of crime, not even for murder. Ending this harmful policy has been a priority of mine since day one. My friend and colleague, Senator Rountree, has taken up this fight with LB319 this session. Yesterday, the bill was passed by the Legislature but then vetoed by Governor Pillen only hours later. It’s fundamentally wrong to make food, a basic human right, a bargaining chip based on past mistakes. LB319 aimed to ensure that Nebraskans who have served their time or are working to rebuild their lives have access to food; reducing recidivism, and giving people the tools they need to reintegrate. The veto is a setback, but we will keep fighting for a more just and humane system. As a reminder, 33 votes are needed to overturn a veto. 

When Nebraskans overwhelmingly approved medical cannabis in November, they sent a clear message: they want relief for patients who need it most. LB677 is at the center of that discussion, aiming to create a regulatory framework that respects the voters' will while ensuring safe and practical access. This bill is currently on General File. Despite 71% voter approval, Attorney General Mike Hilgers continues to oppose it by filing legal challenges over minor technicalities, arguing that the laws conflict with federal policy. His interference has delayed the implementation of the Medical Cannabis Commission and blocked necessary funding, delaying access for patients in need. While I support robust debate, my priority remains upholding the will of the voters and ensuring that Nebraskans who can benefit from medical cannabis have a safe, regulated path to access it.

This session, I’ve had some of the most frustrating conversations in the Education Committee about religious-themed bills that clearly disregard the constitutional separation of church and state. Senator Lippincott's LB550, which would allow students to be excused for off-site religious instruction, has been proposed to be included in the committee’s larger priority bill package (LB653 on General File). These packages are typically a collection of noncontroversial bills that improve the state’s education system. The challenge with this bill is that, while part of a broader deal to move the education package forward, it’s controversial enough to jeopardize progress on other important issues. Our committee’s goal is to create policies that support education and benefit all students and educators, without unnecessary division. I’m working to keep these discussions focused on meaningful support for our students and teachers, but we must ensure that one divisive bill doesn’t derail our progress. Our public schools should remain focused on education, not on promoting specific religious ideologies.

I saved the best news for last: LB258 (proposal to undermine the minimum wage ballot initiative) has been killed!! The bill needed 33 votes to pass, but with just 31 yes votes, 17 no's, and 1 excused, it will not advance. This victory is a testament to the power of Nebraskans' voices and the strength of our collective advocacy. Protecting fair wages is critical for working families, and I’m grateful to everyone who stood with us to defeat this harmful proposal.

Best,

Meg

Legislative Progress Report

This legislative session, I've been working hard to advance practical, people-focused policies that address real challenges facing Nebraskans. It’s been an uphill battle at times, but I’m thrilled to share that we’ve reached some important milestones.

LB32: Candidate Protections - NACO Address Update

• PASSED!!! (sent to the Governor's desk to be signed into law)
• This idea was brought to me by a local Omahan, and updates Nebraska’s campaign disclaimer laws to allow candidates to use a P.O. Box instead of their home address on political ads. This practical change balances transparency with the need to protect candidates in today’s political climate.

LB274: Child Care Center Liability Insurance Enforcement

• PASSED!!! (sent to the Governor's desk to be signed into law)
• Amended into Senator Quick's LB257 
• Currently, proof of liability insurance is only required to be presented during the initial licensure. There is no requirement to maintain that insurance afterward. This became tragically clear when a constituent’s child suffered a severe injury at a licensed daycare that had let its liability insurance lapse, leaving the family without coverage for medical expenses.
• LB274 ensures that liability insurance is continuously maintained by requiring proof during unannounced inspections and allowing providers three business days to submit proof if it’s missing. This simple, no-cost reform will help protect both families and child care providers by ensuring consistent coverage.

LB275: Protections for Foster Youth's Social Security Benefits 

• Final Reading 
• The Appropriations Bill ("A-Bill") to allocate money for this bill is on Select File.
• This bill is the result of years of work, starting with an interim study back in 2021 when we first looked into this practice. We discovered that most states, including Nebraska, were using foster kids’ Social Security money to reimburse themselves for care costs. With LB275, we’re making sure that these vulnerable youth get the support they deserve.

LB34: Year-round Daylight Saving Time

• Final Reading
• Sen. Murman's LB302 to eliminate DST is also on Final Reading. 
• Reminder: When two conflicting bills are passed, the LAST bill to be passed will be the one sent to the Governor for his approval. 
• As a co-sponsor of Sen. Murman's bill, I brought this bill, not an attempt to impose a singular solution, but rather an opportunity to address the all-too-common frustration with changing the clocks twice a year.

LB507: Closing a Gap in School District Transportation

• General File
• Included in the Education Committee package LB653
• Ensures that school districts continue to provide transportation for students with disabilities who have Individual Education Plans (IEPs), even if the child is temporarily placed outside the district, like in foster care or a residential facility.
• Some districts, particularly in the Omaha metro area, have refused transportation in these cases, citing geographic boundaries. This bill clarifies that a district’s obligation doesn’t change due to temporary placements.

LB506: Landlord and Tenant Radon Awareness Act

• In the Judiciary Committee 
• Amended into Senator DeBoer's priority bill LB235 (she previously championed radon-related protections for homeowners)
• Protects tenants from unknown radon exposure by requiring landlords to provide a standardized radon disclosure form to prospective tenants and disclose any known elevated radon levels. It aligns testing standards for tenants and landlords, and allows tenants to terminate the lease without penalty if a landlord fails to disclose a known radon issue. The bill does not mandate radon mitigation, only disclosure.

Budget Update

Balancing the Books or Borrowing from the Future?

When we began this session, we faced a projected $432 million shortfall, a daunting figure that has since grown. Throughout the months of debate and negotiation, we've relied on cash fund sweeps, borrowing from the state’s rainy day fund, and unsustainable cuts to critical services to close the gap. While it technically balances the books, it does so in a way that jeopardizes our state’s future. These short-sighted, one-time fixes are not sound financial planning, they’re a recipe for long-term instability that puts Nebraska families at risk.

This budget is a patchwork of temporary solutions that merely delay a financial crisis. While we managed to scrape together a positive balance, it was done largely through temporary fixes like sweeping cash from essential programs like workforce housing and domestic violence services, and keeping spending growth at historic lows. These choices don’t address the root of our budget problem; they just kick the can down the road, leaving a projected $110 million deficit hanging over the next budget cycle. Worse yet, these moves weaken the very systems that support our communities when they need them most.

We’re borrowing from the future to solve today’s problems, and that’s not sustainable. We’re undermining our ability to respond to economic downturns, and we’re gambling with the financial stability of our state. While some may celebrate a so-called balanced budget, the reality is that we’ve hollowed out vital services to achieve it. This is not responsible governance; it’s reckless fiscal policy that disregards the well-being of our people. To learn more about the state budget and in-depth info, I encourage you to engage with OpenSky or the Legislative Fiscal Office's reports and resources. 

I refuse to support a budget that leaves Nebraskans behind. As your senator, I will continue to push back against these harmful proposals and advocate for a budget that truly balances our finances without sacrificing the needs of our communities. There’s still work to do as we await the Governor’s final decision and potential line-item vetoes. We must do better, and I will keep fighting to make sure we do.

Let’s be real: the people trying to ban books, punish trans kids, and force you into their definition of “morality” aren’t taking a break, and neither can we. This session, we’re pushing for a Nebraska that values people over politics.

If that vision reflects your values, I’m asking you to back it up, not just with your vote, but with your support. We’re not just holding the line, we’re trying to move it. And I need your help to keep going.

District 8 Events

Benson Neighborhood Assoc. Meeting 

• Held on the last Monday in June, August, and October
• 7pm at Benson Baptist Church (6319 Maple St.) 

Dundee-Memorial Park Assoc. Meeting 

• Brownell Talbot School (400 N. Happy Hollow Blvd.) at 7 p.m.
• Held quarterly on the 2nd Monday of the month

Joslyn Castle Neighborhood Assoc. Meeting

• Held monthly on the 2nd Monday
• Social time 6:30pm, Meeting from 7-8pm at Cali Commons (40th & California St.)

Benson First Friday

• First Friday of the month in Benson Creative District from 5pm-2am
• View a map of participating locations here
• Enjoy a night filled with art, live performances/music, local vendors, food, & community.

Benson Community Center Open Skate

• Free Youth Open Skate: Every Thurs.-Sat. 3-8 p.m., skateboards & helmets provided (waiver required)
• Adult Open Skate: Every Sunday 3-8 p.m.
• Also host several different classes/camps

AV Memorial Park Walk 

• Saturday, May 24th from 10am-12pm
• A.V. Sorensen Branch, Omaha Public Library

2025 GPTC Benson Variety Show

• May 28th at 7pm (Free) at Benson Theatre
• Variety show of local and national artists during the Great Plains Theatre Commons New Play Festival - drag, comedy, dance, music, and more!

Dundee Day

• Aug. 23rd at 50th and Underwood Streets
• Family-friendly street festival celebrates and highlights the Dundee neighborhood with a parade, 5k run, art and craft vendors, book sale, pancake breakfast, food trucks, live music, live art drawing, and beer garden.

Our Office in the News

WOWT - Nebraska lawmakers to hold public forums on medical marijuana

Yahoo Finance MoneyWise - Omaha stationary shop hit with $1K tariff bill — owner supports US manufacturing, but it's still ‘frustrating’

KETV - Bill that would cap annual increase on Nebraska minimum wage advances to final reading

Unicacmeral Update - Political ad disclaimer change clears first round

Queerty - GOP mayor in deep red state loses re-election after closing campaign with unhinged anti-trans attacks

Unicameral Update - Marriage and family therapist reciprocity, child care liability bill passed

Nebraska Examiner - Pillen vetoes bill ending Nebraska lifetime SNAP ban for certain drug convictions

Connect with Me

• Please follow me on Facebook, X, YouTube, or Instagram to stay up to date with my latest activities.
• I invite you to visit my office (room 2102) in Lincoln at the Nebraska State Capitol. Call my office to coordinate. (402) 471-2722
• You can watch the Legislature live on NET TV or find NET's live stream here.