State of Nebraska Archives: on Welfare & Poverty

Carol Blood: Voted to expand energy assistance qualifications

Summary by KETV, ABC-7: LB 306 raises the income qualifications for federal energy assistance. It would use money left in the program each year and give it to newly qualified families rather than send it back to Washington, D.C., or people who already received assistance.

Veto message:This would be a permanent benefit expansion funded with one-time federal dollars. When those one-time federal dollars run out, the most in need will be disadvantaged by receiving a smaller share of the regular LIHEAP program funds.

Legislative outcome: Vetoed by Governor Pete Ricketts on May/25/21; Legislature voted 32-15-2 to override veto on May/26/21; Carol Blood voted YES.

Carol Blood: Voted to expand food-assistance benefits

Summary by KOLN 1011-AM-NOW: The Republican governor says in his veto letter that the measure would create a disincentive for recipients to seek better-paying jobs at a time when many businesses are desperate for workers.

Veto message:LB 108 would dramatically expand a taxpayer-funded food assistance program that is only intended to benefit those who are truly in need. While the bill contains a sunset for the expansion provision, history proves that it is nearly impossible to reign in a public benefit.

Legislative outcome: Vetoed by Governor Pete Ricketts on May/25/21; Legislature voted 30-19-0 to override veto on May/26/21; Carol Blood voted YES.

Peter Ricketts: Vetoed expanding energy assistance qualifications

Summary by KETV, ABC-7: LB 306 raises the income qualifications for federal energy assistance. It would use money left in the program each year and give it to newly qualified families rather than send it back to Washington, D.C., or people who already received assistance.

Veto message:This would be a permanent benefit expansion funded with one-time federal dollars. When those one-time federal dollars run out, the most in need will be disadvantaged by receiving a smaller share of the regular LIHEAP program funds.

Legislative outcome: Vetoed by Governor Pete Ricketts on May/25/21; Legislature voted 32-15-2 to override veto on May/26/21.

Peter Ricketts: Vetoed expanding food-assistance benefits

Summary by KOLN 1011-AM-NOW: The Republican governor says in his veto letter that the measure would create a disincentive for recipients to seek better-paying jobs at a time when many businesses are desperate for workers.

Veto message:LB 108 would dramatically expand a taxpayer-funded food assistance program that is only intended to benefit those who are truly in need. While the bill contains a sunset for the expansion provision, history proves that it is nearly impossible to reign in a public benefit.

Legislative outcome: Vetoed by Governor Pete Ricketts on May/25/21; Legislature voted 30-19-0 to override veto on May/26/21.

Bob Krist: Voted against $32M budget cuts to the needy

Peter Ricketts: $56M of vetoes sustained, to cut budget

Peter Ricketts: People-centric services: hand up to get back on their feet

There are people who will continue to need our help. We must serve them effectively and with dignity and respect. When we start getting better outcomes for people, our costs will come down too.

Many people who receive services just need a hand up to get back on their feet. We have to prevent government from getting in their way. [But we have a] need for a common sense approach in government--one that does not create disincentives for people and families to work.

Ben Sasse: Churches & charities are the lifeblood of society

• Churches, charities, civil associations--these are the lifeblood of society and the chief protection against the extremes of isolated individualism and all-encompassing statism.
• Government should focus on promoting the conditions in which individuals, families, and local communities can pursue happiness and thrive, not on creating the communities, guaranteeing happiness, or equalizing outcomes.
• Government does not exist to solve every problem, could not do so if it tried, and often undermines freedom even when it succeeds--and thus should tread lightly in domestic and economic matters.
• Nothing can match the creativity and responsiveness of the private sector, and products and services do not become more efficient by being more heavily regulated.

Ben Sasse: Replace entitlements with an opportunity society

"The greatness of America is the greatness of the American people," he continues, "not the greatness of centralized bureaucracies in Washington, D.C. Why is Washington, D.C., a boomtown when the rest of the country has economic despair? Why are housing prices going up in D.C. when everywhere else in the world they've had a horrible five years? The federal government ain't feeling the pain. They just keep on growing."

Scott Kleeb: Stop predatory lending; close mortgage loopholes

• Stop predatory lending. While we focus on fixing the current mortgage crisis, Scott Kleeb understands that we must not lose sight of the underlying causes. Dubious loans and unchecked predatory lending practices, particularly in the subprime mortgage industry, have put Main Street in jeopardy. Scott Kleeb will fight to protect hard-working Americans by supporting legislation that puts an end to predatory lending practices.
• Close mortgage loophole. Scott Kleeb believes it’s wrong to allow unscrupulous practices in the mortgage industry to cause hard-working Americans to lose their homes. We must stop putting corporations ahead of Americans. That’s why Scott will work to close the mortgage loophole that denies bankruptcy courts from modifying mortgage payments.

Steven Larrick: Supports federal welfare block grants

Larrick supports the following principles regarding Welfare and Poverty Issues:
• Continue to give states and local governments flexibility in and responsibility for welfare programs through federal block grants.
• Support housing assistance for welfare recipients.

Jon Bruning: Fund welfare via faith-based organizations

Bruning supports the following principles regarding welfare.
• Maintain current time limits on welfare benefits.
• Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
• Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
• Use federal TANF funds to expand state services to include the working poor.
• Allow mothers to receive welfare for up to twelve months while staying home with newborns.