Hello Friends and Neighbors, 

Things are picking up quickly as we move deeper into this legislative session. Bill debate will officially begin on Wednesday, January 29th, and hearings have already started and will continue until March 28th. This year, I’m excited to share that I’m serving on a new committee for the first time—the Education Committee, alongside my continued role on the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee. 

Given all the emails I have received on this issue, I want to highlight that the winner-take-all proposals will be heard in the Government Committee on January 30th. You can submit comments online here (LB3 + LR24CA) or come testify in person. If you want your comments to be included in the official record, be sure to submit them by 8 am the day of the hearing! If you’re looking to track bills and stay up to date with what’s happening, sign up for the Legislature's Bill Tracker to get daily notifications on the activity of up to 15 bills you're interested in. I encourage you to remain engaged as ever—this session is critical. There are new senators who need to hear directly from Nebraskans like you. Whether it’s through testifying, attending rallies, writing letters to the editor, or connecting with local nonprofits, your voice makes all the difference.  

Last week the rules debate wrapped up and we’ve officially adopted our permanent rules—a process that was quicker than in recent years, but not without some concerns. Of the two dozen proposals introduced, only two (and one amendment) were passed by the body.

1. One change allows for gubernatorial appointees to be grouped together for consideration, instead of debating them individually. While this might save time, it raises concerns about transparency. I worry it could make it harder to ask questions about specific appointments, which could lead to a less open process.
2. The other change impacts statements of intent, which explain a bill’s purpose. These now need to be submitted within three days of a bill being referred to a committee.
3. There was also a cloture motion change, requiring senators to officially cast a vote if we’re present but not voting. This forces lawmakers into binary decisions that don’t respect the nuances of certain issues. I fought against this because it amounts to forced speech and creates a legally incorrect record. 

Governor Pillen recently issued a very concerning Executive Order targeting immigrant communities. It restricts access to state services for certain immigrants and it demands that Nebraska state agencies— including our State Patrol and prison system— collaborate with federal immigration authorities to enforce policies that are extreme and dangerous, and could result in targeting not just of our immigrant neighbors but, as we have seen in other cities, citizens as well. Governor Pillen’s actions seek to implement a policy that treats these Nebraskans as criminals, not as people who have lived and contributed to our state for years, sometimes decades. The executive order also places local law enforcement in the position of deciding whether to enforce federal policies that threaten our communities' safety and well-being.  

The vast majority of Nebraskans do not support this policy. This executive order runs counter to the values we hold dear— values of dignity, fairness, and respect for every human being. We are a state that thrives on the contributions of immigrants who help power our economy, our schools, our hospitals, and our communities. These people are our neighbors. They are our coworkers, our teachers, our healthcare workers, and members of our families. The voices of Nebraskans, who believe in compassion and justice, are loud and clear: this is not who we are. We demand policies that protect all Nebraskans, regardless of their immigration status, and support our communities through fair, compassionate, and comprehensive immigration reform. 

This session, we’re facing a tight budget and some tough choices, especially when it comes to public education. Unfortunately, the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit, which was rejected by voters just a few months ago, is back in the form of new bills trying to bring back school voucher schemes. These types of bills would drain resources from our public schools, which are already struggling. We’re also seeing bills that attack trans rights, our basic healthcare rights, harm education, and undermine the separation of church and state.  

Despite these harmful proposals, I’m committed to defending Nebraskans’ rights and ensuring we prioritize fairness and dignity for all. There’s a lot of work ahead, but together, we can fight for a better Nebraska. Let’s stay connected, stay active, and push back against harmful legislation. Thank you for your continued support and advocacy. Let’s get to work! 

Best, 

Meg

Introduced Legislation

This session, I’ve introduced bills designed to address the issues that matter most to Nebraskans. Whether it’s expanding healthcare access, strengthening protections for vulnerable communities, or removing barriers to opportunity, these proposals aim to make our state a place where everyone can succeed. Each piece of legislation reflects a commitment to fairness, safety, and progress, building a better future for all who call Nebraska home. Below, you can explore the details of the bills I’m working on this session or view the full list of my introduced legislation on the Legislature's website here.

Harmful Legislation to Watch

While this session brings opportunities for progress, it also includes bills that could harm Nebraskans and undermine our shared values. These proposals target vulnerable communities, restrict personal freedoms, or create unnecessary barriers for families and workers. It’s critical to stay informed and vigilant as these bills move through the legislative process. Consider submitting a comment in opposition today! Together, we can stand up for fairness, equality, and the well-being of all Nebraskans.

• LB3 (Sen. Lippincott): Winner-Take-All  
  • Hearing Scheduled for Jan. 30th
  • Submit online comments here
• LB89 (Sen. Kauth): Targets, discriminates against, and isolates trans individuals in our schools, the workforce, and even in prisons. 
• LB149 (Sen.Hansen) & LB430 (Sen. Murman): Eliminates the prohibition on suspending pre-k - 2nd graders.
• LB202 (Sen. Kauth) & LB655 (Sen. Murman): Gives healthcare workers the right to discriminate against any patient, regardless of their need for treatment. 
• LB391 (Sen. Murman), LB509 (Sen. Sorrentino), LB624 (Sen. Dover): Opportunity Scholarships Act is back again, despite being overturned on the ballot by voters just a few short weeks ago. Each proposal directs more of our public taxpayer funds toward private schools. 
• LB428 (Sen. Murman): Requires schools to conduct a highly personal survey, collecting data on political affiliation, religious beliefs, sexual identity, and other private information. 
• LB483 (Sen. Storm) & LB677 (Sen. Hansen): Implements some of the strictest medical cannabis regulations nationwide, in direct opposition to the will of Nebraskans who voted overwhelmingly to legalize medical cannabis in November. 
• LB512 (Sen. Holdcroft): Places medically unnecessary restrictions on safe medication abortions.
• LB541 (Sen. Holdcroft): Eliminates online voter registration and limits who can vote early.
• LB549 (Sen. Lippincott): Permits untrained, uncertified chaplains to serve as school counselors.
• LB550 (Sen. Lippincott): Requires schools to excuse students from in-class learning so they can attend an unaffiliated religious program outside of the public school.
• LB551 (Sen. Lippincott): Ban tenure in post-secondary institutions.
• LB552 (Sen. Lippincott): Ban DEI initiatives and offices in post-secondary institutions.
• LB556 (Sen. Riepe): Allows for the detention of 11-year-olds and the criminal charging of 12-year-olds.
• LB557 (Sen. Armendariz): Eliminates the open enrollment option for public schools, taking away school choice from thousands of families.
• LB632 (Sen. Hansen): Governmental overreach into standard medical regulations on the disposal of fetal tissue.
• LB656 (Sen. Andersen): Punishes individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse by eliminating their eligibility for SNAP food benefits. 
• LB669 (Sen. Storer): Removes language requiring doctors to only provide patients with evidence-based information and requires providers to ask patients invasive, medically unnecessary questions. 
• LB691 (Sen. Murman): Requires every school in Nebraska to display the 10 Commandments, undermining the separation of church and state.
• LB331 & LR11CA (Sen. Hardin): EPIC Consumption Tax proposal to eliminate all taxes, except for an alarmingly steep consumption tax.

Make your voice heard!

The next few weeks will be filled with hearings for each bill that is introduced. It’s more important than ever that you make your voice heard. You can testify in person or submit an online comment for the record by 8:00 AM on the day of the hearing. These comments are an essential part of the process and help shape the discussions that lead to decisions in the Legislature.

Additionally, you can always reach out to your senator and those senators who sit on a certain committee by email or phone to voice your thoughts and concerns on the issues that matter the most to you.
 

Handy links to bookmark: 

• 2025 Legislative calendar
• Contact Info for Senators
• Bill search (by date of introduction, introducer, etc.)
• Live stream the Legislature
• Tips for Testifying
• Bill Tracker

Free Harm Reduction Event

Date: February 7th, 2025
Time: 6-9 pm
Location: Astute Coffee Shop
RSVP here

Join us for a special free event to support the families of drug users. This event will feature an expert panel discussion on how families can give and receive support, resources, networking, and an interactive AI art workshop.

Hosted by UNMC College of Public Health, Centerpointe, Douglas County Health Department, and Grief's Journey.

District 8 Events

Benson Neighborhood Assoc. Meeting - Feb. 24th

• Benson Baptist Church (6319 Maple St.) at 7 p.m.

Dundee-Memorial Park Assoc. Meeting - Feb. 10th

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

Free Badminton - A.V. Sorensen

• Kick Off Event: Jan. 31st 5-8 p.m. 
• Free to 55+ & students 
• Nets, birdies, & loaner racquets provided
• Open Play: Starting Feb. 3rd (Mondays 10 a.m. -12 p.m. and Thursdays 4-6 p.m.) 

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.

Kids Night Out - Feb. 7th 

• 5 p.m. at A.V. Sorensen
• Grades 1-5: Drop off kids for a camp-style evening of fun while parents can enjoy an evening to themselves!

Opera in Conversation: After the Curtain Call - Feb. 11th

• Joslyn Castle (3902 Davenport St.) 6-7 p.m.
• FREE series of three sessions surrounding Opera Omaha mainstage productions that feature creatives, scholars, and other public figures. Register here.

Queens for the Castle: Drag Brunch + Art Show! - Feb. 9th

• Joslyn Castle (3902 Davenport St.) 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Tickets here

Our Office in the News

Nebraska Examiner - Lawmakers offer ‘working families agenda’ as answer to Nebraska ‘culture war’ bills

Lincoln Journal Star - Nebraska lawmakers adopt two rules changes; controversial proposal introduced

KLKN - Nebraska senator donating half of her small business profits to Los Angeles wildfire victims

Nebraska Public Media - Senators debate requiring 'yes' or 'no' votes

Nebraska Examiner - Twice-a-year clock switching could tick closer to end under three Nebraska proposals

Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska lawmakers vote to keep 20-bill cap, reach 69% of 2025 limit