Fight for summer child nutrition program in Nebraska continues

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A group of state senators are working to bring the federal summer food supplement for children program back to life in Nebraska, even after Governor Jim Pillen opted out for it in January.

The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (S-EBT) program would have supported around 150,000 Nebraska kids next summer, according to Nebraska Appleseed.

Pillen’s case is that other USDA programs already go far enough, but some state senators disagree and say the light isn’t out on the initiative just yet.

“We have a respectful disagreement with Gov. Pillen,” Sen. Danielle Conrad said. “And the good news is is that we have some flexibility from the federal government about when and how we apply for that program.”

Sen. Jen Day’s bill to require the Department of Health and Human Services to implement the program is set to go before committee in February. Conrad introduced another bill, aiming at a different committee; that way, if one stalls, the other might be able to push ahead.

“Support only continues to grow from our districts, from our colleagues,” Conrad said. “People saying, ‘Gosh, we disagree on a lot of different things for a lot of different reasons. But when it comes to feeding Nebraska kids, that’s one we should come together on.’”

That support includes registered Republican state senators.

“I know what percent of families are on this,” Sen. Jana Hughes said. “So I know what percent of families that would affect in the community.”

For Hughes, the program catches kids who fall through the cracks of the urban-rural divide. While larger school districts may have additional resources, that isn’t true for the cities and towns she represents.

“Where do those programs not happen?” Hughes said. “District 24. Seward, York, Goehner, Henderson, Polk, Osceola. We don’t have those programs. Our schools aren’t open in the summer to have kids.”

It would cost about $300,000 to administer—worthy every penny, senators say, if it means kids get fed.

“We as an ag state, I as a farmer, fully support; there should be no hungry children in the state of Nebraska,” Sen. Tom Brandt said.

Conrad said with this short and jam-packed legislative session, she’s hoping a state senator will make it their priority bill.

If the bill passes through the legislature this session, Pillen could still veto it. It would then need 30 votes to override that veto.

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