Several OTOC leaders traveled to Lincoln over the last two days to testify on behalf of OTOC in favor of bills that the OTOC Action Teams have studied end endorsed.

LB 1023–Transitional Health Insurance Program

Rev. Keith Nelson gave evocative testimony about why Nebraska should adopt LB 1023, the Transitional Health Insurance Program which would finally help working poor be able to afford health insurance. Senators Riepe and Fox of the Health and Human Services Committee responded to Rev. Nelson who made able responses to their questions. A copy of Rev. Nelson’s testimony is below:

OTOC Statement in support of LB1032 Transitional Health Insurance

LB 947–Allowing Immigrants with Work Authorization to obtain commercial and professional licenses

Mary McKeighanne testified on behalf of the Immigration Action Team in favor of LB 947  which would immigrant youth who qualify for work permits the opportunity to try to qualify for commercial and professional licenses that they need to work. Mary told the story of how she met  bright and ambitious immigrant youth who have excelled at school and in the community but who cannot qualify to become teachers, or electricians or engineers in Nebraska because the State will not grant them a license. This bill would follow up on the Driver’s License bill which OTOC supported in 2015. See Mary’s statement below:

Statement of Omaha Together One Community in support of LB 947

LB 1071- to authorize community solar programs and provide incentives for solar development

Mary Ruth Stegman of the Environmental Sustainability Action Team testified in support of LB 1071 which would increase solar development by providing a grant process to be administered by the Nebraska Energy Office. Utilities that have established solar incentive programs, local governments, businesses, tax exempt organizations and individuals would be eligible for grants for solar projects up to two megawatts nameplate capacity.