Omaha – Following Governor Pete Ricketts’ veto of LB 89, Voices for Children’s Executive Director Carolyn Rooker released the following statement.
“Voices for Children is deeply disappointed in Governor Pete Ricketts using his administration’s first veto on legislation to help our most vulnerable children. LB 89 is widely supported legislation that would raise Nebraska’s maximum Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) payment rate for the first time in over 30 years and ease the transition off the program. The ADC program is a critical tool for addressing child poverty and keeping kids out of the more costly and less effective child welfare system. For years, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has continued to accrue a surplus in funds for this program while our child poverty and out of home care rates have continued to grow. LB 89 would ensure that these funds are being spent as intended. Governor Ricketts’ actions take aim at the basic needs of our state’s most vulnerable children and the veto raises concerns about our state’s priorities. We hope the Legislature will take decisive action to override this veto and ensure that we are putting the needs of our state’s children first.”
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