Vol. XXXVI No. 13 UNICAMER AL April 2 - 5, 2013 • the Nebraska Legislature’s news source since 1977 • stories published daily at update.legislature.ne.gov UPDATE Early childhood education funding advanced enators gave first-round approval April 5 to a bill that would allocate funds to support early childhood Seducation grant programs. LB495, introduced by Cedar Rapids Sen. Kate Sullivan, would direct funds from the Education Innovation Fund to the early childhood education grant program administered by the state Department of Education. Scheduled distribu- tions include $1.75 million in fiscal year 2013-14, $1.85 million in FY2014-15 and $1.95 million in FY2015-16. Sullivan said investments in early childhood education result in a high return on investment. “The research tells us it’s important to invest in early childhood education,” she said. “We have 152 school dis- tricts that have early childhood programs. They recognize the importance and it’s essential we keep the ball rolling.” An additional $1 million from the Education Inno- vation Fund would be directed to the Early Childhood Endowment Cash Fund annually for the next three fiscal years for grants to public school programs that serve at-risk children from birth to age three. The bill would change a funding source for programs currently supported by the Education Innovation Fund. (continued on page 2) Sen. Kate Sullivan explains the benefits of early childhood education. Bill to ease foster care transition advances ertain state wards who have aged out of the foster • placement in a foster home, institution or indepen- care system could continue to receive services un- dent living; and Ctil age 21 under a bill given first-round approval • continued case management to help access addi- April 5. tional supports. LB216, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Amanda McGill, McGill said federal law allows states to extend foster would allow eligible youth to enter into a voluntary foster care services to age 21 and research shows that youth who care agreement with the state Department of Health and continue to receive services have improved chances of suc- Human Services (DHHS) for extended services, including: cess when they transition from foster care. Currently, she • Medicaid; said, 71 percent of former female state wards in Nebraska • postsecondary education assistance; are pregnant by age 21 and 80 percent of males are ar- • continued foster care maintenance payments; rested by age 26. (continued on page 2) INSIDE: Shortened early voting period • Environmental Trust land purchases • Meet Sen. Davis April 2 - 5, 2013 Early childhood education funding advanced (continued from front page) General fund dollars would be used ported the bill, saying it represents education has advanced exponentially to fund: a small price to pay for ensuring the in just a few years. • an integrated student informa- success and stability of children. “Research shows that if kids have tion system; “A lot of these children are behind a high quality early education experi- • the Center for Student Leadership from the day they’re born and spend ence before age five, it yields long term and Extending Learning Act; their entire life struggling to get benefits,” he said. “They are more • multicultural education; and ahead,” Hadley said. “The wealth of likely to graduate high school, own • employment costs for individu- the parents should never be used to a home and earn as much as $2,000 als investigating and prosecut- determine the success of the child.” more per month as adults.” ing alleged teacher and admin- Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery also sup- Following adoption of two techni- istrator certificate violations. ported the bill. He said research on cal amendments, senators advanced Kearney Sen. Galen Hadley sup- the positive effects of early childhood the bill to select file on a 33-0 vote. g Bill to ease foster care transition advances (continued from front page) “LB216 would provide these youth with a variety of DHHS support program for youth leaving foster care, is services to help prevent some of these negative outcomes,” not codified in state law. Furthermore, she said, many McGill said. state wards are unaware that To qualify for the pro- the program exists or do gram, an applicant would not fit its narrow eligibility need to be: requirements. • employed for at least A Health and Human 80 hours per month; Services Committee amend- • enrolled in an insti- ment, adopted 28-0, clarifies tution that provides that DHHS is not required to postsecondary or voca- have legal counsel present at tional education; a young adult’s permanency • completing a second- review hearing and raises ary education or a the age from 14 to 16 that program leading to an youth in foster care would equivalent credential; receive information about the • participating in a program. program or activity The amendment also designed to promote moves appointment and or remove barriers to oversight of the advisory employment; or committee from DHHS to • incapable of doing any the Nebraska Children’s of the above activities Commission and expands the due to a medical con- case management description dition. outlined in the bill. Sen. Amanda McGill answers questions about LB216. Among other provisions, Lincoln Sen. Kathy Camp- the bill also creates the Young Adult Voluntary Services bell, chairperson of the committee, said LB216 was one of and Support Advisory Committee. four bills under consideration this session that comprise a McGill said the Former Ward Program, the existing strategic plan to improve the state’s child welfare system. PAGE 2 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 103RD LEGISLATURE April 2 - 5, 2013 Fullerton Sen. Annette Dubas sup- happened in ported the bill, saying taxpayers have years past, is an obligation to help young people that we will all who were removed from their homes feel like we’ve by the state. Without the proper sup- done some- port, she said, the transition to adult- thing,” Coash hood is difficult and too many former said. “When state wards become unwed parents on in fact what state assistance or enter the criminal we’ve done is: justice system. we’ve framed “We’re going to invest money in the problem, these young people one way or the we’ve framed other,” Dubas said. a solution, McGill offered an amendment, and then we’ve adopted 31-0, that raised the age of taken the so- eligibility for the program from 18 lution and to 19 and would exclude youth who funded it at 50 entered the foster care system through percent. If we the Office of Juvenile Services. start to do this The change was made to reduce the and fund it at Sen. Colby Coash questioned narrowing eligibility requirements in LB216. bill’s fiscal impact, she said, and likely 50 percent, is to provide a comprehensive case would lower the number of youth we’re probably doing more harm plan for youth who are transitioning eligible for the program from around than good.” out of foster care, which will reduce 400 per year to approximately 175. North Platte Sen. Tom Hansen their reliance on homeless shelters Lincoln Sen. Colby Coash sup- questioned the need to create an and other narrowly focused programs. ported the bill, but expressed concern entirely new program. He said it ap- “We have young people who are about narrowing the program to a peared that existing programs could floundering,” she said, “and when point that could exacerbate the prob- provide sufficient assistance to former they get out of foster care, they don’t lem, which he described as a frequent state wards, citing the state’s Homeless know where to go.” dilemma. Assistance Program. Senators voted 28-1 to advance “So what will happen, as has Campbell said the goal of the bill LB216 to select file. g Unicameral Youth Legislature igh school students with an Students will learn about the inner interest in law, government, workings of the Legislature directly Hleadership or public speaking are from senators, staff and lobbyists. Bills encouraged to register for the 2013 will be based on legislation considered Unicameral Youth Legislature, which during the current legislative session. will convene June 9-12. Early-bird registration is available The Unicameral Youth Legislature until April 1. Registration forms can is a four-day legislative simulation be obtained from the Legislature’s conducted at the State Capitol Unicameral Youth Legislature page: Building and coordinated by the www.nebraskalegislature.gov/edu- Clerk’s Office of the Nebraska cation/unicamyouth.php Legislature. Student senators will and the UNL Big Red Summer Aca- sponsor bills, conduct committee demic Camps website: hearings, debate legislation and liferaydemo.unl.edu/web/4hcamps/ discover the unique process of the bigredcamps. nation’s only unicameral. The registration deadline is May 15. 103RD LEGISLATURE • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • PAGE 3 April 2 - 5, 2013 Meet the Senator “Rancher/actor” cast as state senator eath at the High School Reunion never appeared in Western Nebraska are primary concerns of his, adding on Broadway, but one of its playwrights—Sen. that seven counties in his large district are at risk of losing DAl Davis—presents a familiar scenario: alumni half of their population by 2033. grudgingly attend their high school reunion, where their He said he wants to address two other issues while serv- youthful wrongdoings and melodramatic stereotypes re- ing in the Legislature: tax reform and state tourism. The surface. Davis, his wife Dottie and several other Hyannis state must consider overhauling its tax system and seek community residents collaborated on writing the script. additional state revenue sources to promote ecotourism The play was performed at the Hyannis community in rural areas, he said. theater and offered audiences a valuable moral of the “We have the wildlife in abundance in the Sandhills,” story: do not judge people by their youthful indiscretions.