Economic Justice Archive

Nebraska Appleseed

Nebraska’s current foster care system results in poor outcomes for too many young people who age out of foster care. We miss out on their human potential and a stronger workforce because of the barriers they face in becoming successful adults.
LB 216 would remove these barriers by creating an age-appropriate, youth-focused system of voluntary services and support to 21 for young people who age out of foster care. National research has shown programs like this improve long-term outcomes in a number of areas, including education, employment, and housing stability.
The Health and Human Services Committee already advanced LB 216 to General File, but the fight is far from over. The full Legislature must now vote on the bill. Please call anyone on the Health and Human Services Committee (numbers below) to thank them for advancing LB 216 out of committee, and ask for their continued support. Encourage them to invest in these children’s’ future:
Sen. Kathy Campbell, Chairperson (402) 471-2731
Sen. Tanya Cook (402) 471-2727
Sen. Sue Crawford (402) 471-2615
Sen. Mike Gloor (402) 471-2617
Sen. Sara Howard (402) 471-2723
Sen. Bob Krist (402) 471-2718
Sen. Dan Watermeier (402) 471-2733

Nebraska Appleseed

Hard-working Nebraska families need the security of quality health care. A bill in front of your Senator could help 54,000 Nebraskans gain that security. 100% of the cost for this care is covered by the federal government thru 2016 to expand Medicaid to uninsured working Nebraskans, gradually decreasing permanently to 90%; the bill would returned $3 billion to Nebraska’s economy as a result of increased economic activity in the health sector due to federal funds from 2014-2020; expanding Medicaid eligibility will save the state over $128 million by 2020 and create thousands of jobs across the state; and increasing health coverage will make more Nebraskans healthier, give them access to the health care they need when they need it and save all of us more health care costs down the road. To support LB 577, call your Senator right now and ask them for their support to expand Nebraska’s Medicaid program. Find your senator’s phone number now.

Interfaith Worker Justice

The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) represents coal miners working in some of the most dangerous and demanding jobs. Workers in this industry endure daily peril which takes a heavy toll on miners’ bodies and their health, in order to help provide our nation’s energy needs. Through decades of collective bargaining, the UMWA has negotiated contracts that placed great emphasis on the health and safety of active miners and health care security for retired miners; they sacrificed wage and pension increases to secure these protections.
Today these collective bargaining gains made by working miners are threatened by Patriot’s bankruptcy proceedings. As persons of faith and from a moral perspective, The UMWA are committed to a public witness of justice and peace, and in that spirit they call on Patriot Coal, Arch Coal, and Peabody Energy to honor their contractual obligations to the current and retired UMWA workforce. Sign this petition to show your support for coal miner worker justice.

Center for Rural Affairs

LB 405 and 406 will force 80% of Nebraskans to pay higher taxes (including farmers, ranchers and entrepreneurs), impose a new “sick tax” that will increase health care costs for all Nebraskans by taxing prescription drugs, medical equipment and hospital rooms, and also increase taxes on the middle class, while giving profitable corporations a free ride. Last week the Revenue Committee of the Nebraska Unicameral heard from rural Nebraska farmers, ranchers, businesses, churches, community organizations and residents who told them that the proposed changes to Nebraska’s tax system hurt rural communities. Your state senators need to hear from you. Find your senator’s contact information here, and call him/her today urging him/her to oppose LB 405 and 406.