The Good, The Bad, and What’s at Stake in the Legislature
April 28th, 2025
Hello Friends and Neighbors,
We’ve officially entered late-night debate season at the Legislature, which means most evenings we’re working until 8pm, 9pm, or potentially even midnight to move through bills. We take a quick break for dinner from 5:30-6pm, and then it’s right back to it. The pace is grueling, but there’s a lot at stake, and I want to give you a quick overview of what’s been happening under the dome.
A major piece of good news to start off with: The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld LB50, affirming the Legislature’s authority to expand parole eligibility. This is a win for justice and second chances.
Another big step forward I want to highlight is that Senator Roundtree's LB319 has advanced to Select File. This is a bill to end the cruel, outdated lifetime ban on food assistance for Nebraskans with prior drug convictions. You may recall that I’ve been fighting for this for years because no one should be denied access to food based on a mistake they’ve already served time for. It’s basic human dignity. I am so proud of my colleague for advancing this important bill, and I encourage you to reach out to any of the senators who voted 'no' or 'present not voting' and urge them to reconsider before the next vote!
The 'Momnibus' bill (LB676) has been getting a lot of attention this session. The bill aims to expand midwifery and birthing options in our state -- a goal I strongly support. The bill has advanced to Select File with broad support. What happened on AM1097 was not a vote against midwives—it was about making sure we get this legislation right. Scope of practice bills like this one are notoriously complex and often take multiple sessions to get right. There is no reason we can’t pass this bill this year. I believe we can and should. My "no" on the amendment reflected concerns with how it was drafted, not with the core goal of expanding midwifery access in our state. There’s a strong appetite to get something done that respects birthing autonomy while also ensuring safety and evidence-based care. Senator Hansen’s request not to reschedule the bill caught many of us off guard. If you believe in expanding birthing options, now is the time to let him know that this work is worth finishing.
Unfortunately, not everything advancing this session is a step forward. Last week, a group of senators, fueled by ignorance and fear, advanced LB89. I see this bill for what it is—a bigoted attack on transgender Nebraskans that doesn't protect anyone. I won’t beg my colleagues to see trans people as human anymore. If they need convincing to treat kids with basic dignity, this job might not be for them. You can view my comments during this debate here.
Similarly disheartening, LB632 is yet another attempt to insert political ideology into deeply personal medical decisions, and it has advanced to Select File. It creates unnecessary legal ambiguity, fails to define key terms, and imposes burdensome mandates on health care providers. Forcing patients to participate in the burial or cremation of fetal tissue without their consent is not about dignity — it’s about control. LB632 does not improve health outcomes, nor does it reflect the needs or values of most Nebraskans. Instead, it manufactures confusion, increases costs, and risks pushing essential reproductive care further out of reach. Our laws should support people in their most vulnerable moments, not punish them. Nebraskans deserve clarity and compassion, not politically motivated mandates that serve as a backdoor abortion ban. I encourage you to contact Senators Riepe, Brandt, and Hughes and urge them to reconsider their vote.
Meanwhile, the conversation around the state budget continues to heat up. We’ve been discussing LB645, which reduces the state's obligation to fund school retirement plans. This bill is part of a broader conversation about our state budget. Instead of passing sustainable, common-sense solutions like taxing corporations fairly or legalizing cannabis and online sports betting, the body continues to kick the can down the road and balance the budget on the backs of working Nebraskans, like our educators. LR20CA is a realistic way to diversify our revenue streams, and I support putting the decision of whether to legalize online sports betting or not to the voters. It faces a tough road ahead, though, needing 33 votes to overcome the promised filibuster.
And speaking of money: State Auditor Mike Foley recently warned us that over the next four years, more than $1.5 billion in corporate tax incentives could be claimed—money that would otherwise fund schools, roads, and services Nebraskans rely on. If you’re wondering where our budget crunch is coming from, look no further.
Stay tuned, stay involved, and as always, thank you for caring.
Best,
Meg
LB275 Advanced to Select File!
My priority bill will ensure that foster youth in our state receive the support and resources their rights entitle them to.
I’m excited to share that my priority bill, LB275, advanced to Select File. This bill is about one simple principle: Nebraska’s foster youth deserve to be supported, not shortchanged, by the systems meant to protect them.
LB275 is the next step in a multi-year effort from my office to bring more fairness and transparency to how the state handles Social Security benefits for youth in foster care. Back in 2021, we held an interim study after an investigation by the Marshall Project and NPR revealed that states, including ours, have quietly been intercepting these federal benefits, which are intended for the direct support of children who have lost a parent or live with a disability. DHHS has been identifying foster kids who qualify for Social Security, applying for those benefits on their behalf, and then using that money to reimburse itself for the cost of their care, without the child or their legal representatives always knowing this was happening.
I want to be clear: foster children should not be used as a funding stream. These are some of the most vulnerable children in our state—many of whom have already experienced trauma and loss—and we owe them more than just bare-minimum care. We owe them dignity, transparency, and the chance to build a future. That’s what LB275 is all about.
The bill ensures that foster youth and their guardian ad litem are notified if they’re screened for Social Security eligibility, when the state applies to become their representative payee, and what rights they have to appeal or request a different payee. It also requires the Department to hold these funds in trust accounts, separate from the state’s general funds, and conserve a portion — starting at 20% and increasing as the child gets older — for the youth’s future. These savings could go toward college, job training, a car, or a down payment on an apartment—real tools to help them transition successfully into adulthood.
I’ll be the first to say: I wish this bill went even further. But I also know that progress often happens step by step. After working with stakeholders, child welfare advocates, DHHS, and the Legislative Fiscal Office, I introduced an amendment to address concerns about the bill’s fiscal impact on the state budget. That amendment pares back some provisions while still moving the needle forward in meaningful ways. Even setting aside a small portion of these funds can have a profound impact on a young person’s life.
Thank you to everyone who’s supported this work so far. LB275 passed out of committee with a 7-0 vote and no opposition testimony, because no one can argue that children in state care deserve anything less than our full protection. You can view the full vote advancing the bill to Select File here. As this bill moves forward, I’ll keep fighting to make sure we center youth voices, safeguard their rights, and build a system that truly works in their best interest.
LB274 Advanced to Final Reading
Thanks to the hard work of so many involved, LB274, with the committee amendment attached, has been successfully amended (AM947) into Senator Quick's LB257.
LB274 strengthens licensed childcare center insurance liability requirements to address a crucial issue that came to my attention through a heart-wrenching story from a family in my district. A family reached out to me after their infant son suffered severe injuries due to a daycare provider’s negligence. Tragically, they learned that the daycare’s liability insurance had lapsed long before the incident. As a result, they received no insurance payout to cover the enormous medical expenses and the long-lasting impact on their child.
Through this experience, it became clear that our state statutes didn’t have strong enough safeguards to ensure that childcare providers maintain their required liability insurance coverage. That’s why LB274 is so important; it ensures that DHHS will verify, as part of their regular inspections, that childcare providers have current and valid insurance. If a provider’s insurance has lapsed, they will have three business days to provide proof of renewal. If they fail to do so, their license will be temporarily suspended.
We passed this bill out of committee with unanimous support, and it has no fiscal note. You can view the vote to adopt LB274 as an amendment and advance the bill here. This is a common sense bill that provides families with peace of mind, knowing that childcare providers will be held accountable for maintaining their insurance coverage.
Watch Floor Debate for Yourself
One of the most important parts of my job is speaking the truth on the mic—and I want you to see it for yourself. I regularly upload video clips of my floor speeches to my YouTube channel, so you can hear exactly what I’m saying in the Legislature and why.
If you're looking for more, the Nebraska Legislature now archives all video of legislative debate. Just search the bill number on nebraskalegislature.gov, and on the right-hand side of the page, you'll see a “Related Videos” section with floor debate clips for your access (you may need to scroll down a bit to find it).
Government should be transparent. I want you to know what I’m fighting for every day, because I’m fighting for you.
District 8 Events
Earth Day Omaha
- April 26th from 11am-4pm at Elmwood Park
- NE State Arboretum hosts a day of tree climbing, educational activities, a children's tent, and donation drives.
- April 25-27 (all-access & day passes available)
- Held at Benson Theatre
Benson High School Community Fan Night
- April 29th from 5-7pm at Benson Stadium
- Free family giveaways, parenting resources, snacks, and fan activities
29th Annual Senior Art Show
- May 2nd from 3:15-6pm at Benson High School
Benson Neighborhood Assoc. Meeting
- Held on the last Monday in April, June, August, and October
- 7pm at Benson Baptist Church (6319 Maple St.)
- Next meeting: April 28th with guest speakers from Benson beautification and the Omaha Public Library Seed Program
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
- April 14th: candidate forum for city elections
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.)
- 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.
- May 3rd from 9am-2pm
- Omaha Home for Boys (4343 N. 52nd St.)
Joslyn Castle Neighborhood Clean Up
- 1st Saturday of the month
- 11am-12pm in front of Cali Commons (40th & California St.)
- Gloves, buckets, & trash grabbers will be provided.
Dundee Memorial Park Spring Clean-up
- May 10th at Elmwood Park (swimming pool parking lot)
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.
Dundee-Memorial Park Assoc. Garage Sale
- Friday, May 9th - Sunday May 11th
- Sign up online or call Mickey Harrington at (402) 553-3143
Save the Date: Benson Days
- Typically held in July, this year there will be a big change. Benson Days will now be held on September 27th.
Sometimes doing the right thing in this building means standing alone. Saying “no” when it’s easier to go along. Calling out cruelty, even when it costs you. That’s the work I’m here to do, and I know it’s the work you support.
If you’re proud of the stands we’re taking — against bigotry, against political games, and for a Nebraska where everyone has a shot — chip in to help us keep going. We’re showing up every day to protect people’s rights, but we can’t do it without a team behind us. If you’re tired of watching the same cruel, out-of-touch ideas get recycled in our Capitol, help me fight them.
Our Office in the News
WOWT - Nebraska ‘winner-take-all’ bill fails after first-round debate
News Channel NE - Nebraska lawmakers hand public schools a library mandate
Nebraska TV - Nebraska legislature debates bills on school libraries and SNAP benefits
Nebraska Examiner - Bill advances to end lifetime food aid ban for Nebraskans who served time for drug felonies
Nebraska Examiner - Burial, cremation requirement for procedural abortions in Nebraska advances
KETV - 'Never seen anything like it': Omaha small business hit with $1,100 tariff bill
Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska social media age-verification bill moves forward
Unicacmeral Update - Marriage and family therapist licensing reciprocity expanded, advanced
Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska bill would expand minors’ rights to Social Security benefits
KETV - Nebraska bill to define male, female in state law advances
Unicameral Update - Changes to use of foster youth Social Security benefits advanced
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.
