On Tuesday, March 31, eight OTOC leaders met with Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts to discuss issues of concern to OTOC. These leaders articulated why OTOC  is concerned about several issues including, Medicaid Redesign (LB 472), Driver’s License’s for DACA qualified immigrant youth (LB 623) and efforts to improve behavioral health, prison reform  and address climate change in Nebraska.

Rev. Marshall Johnson framed the meeting by acknowledging that Governor Ricketts opposes two pieces of legislation that OTOC supports (Medicaid Redesign & Driver’s Licenses) but that there are other issues where OTOC would like to work with the Governor and help his new staff learn about community needs including behavioral health, increasing funding for Federally Qualified Health Clinics and climate change.

The eight OTOC leaders representing the organization were:

Fr. Mike Eckley,  Clergy Caucus, St. Pius X Catholic

Rev. Marshall Johnson, Clergy Caucus, St. Luke UMC

Rev. Keith Johnson, Medicaid Redesign Action Team, Augustana Lutheran

Kathleen Grant, M.D., Co-Chair of Immigration Action Team, Sacred Heart Catholic

Mary Spurgeon, Co-Chair, Medicaid Redesign Action Team, First UMC

Sarita Penka, Co-Chair, Mental Health Action Team, St. Leo the Great Catholic

Laurie Gift, Co-Chair, Environmental Sustainability Action Team, First Unitarian

Rev. Damon Laaker, Clergy Caucus and Immigration Action Team