“Sustaining the Good Life,” updated in 2025, examines the use and funding of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in our state.
$401,538 The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) was granted an extension in October 2024 allowing additional time to spend down federal funds allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically those granted under the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief – Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) program. Of the
This is a pivotal moment in our country, state and local communities for SNAP, the program designed to fill the gaps for families who would otherwise go hungry. We heard from a variety of stakeholders on the importance of the program, how it works, common misconceptions about SNAP beneficiaries, and
$136.3 Billion The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) recently released their analysis on the Educational Choice for Children Act, (ECCA) federal legislation introduced by Rep. Adrian Smith of Nebraska to offer dollar-for-dollar income tax credits for charitable donations to nonprofits that distribute vouchers to K-12 private schools. ITEP
It’s another busy week for OpenSky in front of several committees. Hearings will conclude on March 28, and we will move into full-day floor debate. We were given some strong indicators of how floor debate will progress as senators selected their personal priority bills last week and Speaker John Arch
$1 Billion About $660 million in federal funds allocated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to states for schools and child care programs to purchase food from local agricultural producers has recently been canceled. The Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program was created to provide nutritious, minimally-processed
$289 million Nebraska will be looking to find additional Medicaid funding in the coming biennium, totaling $90.3 million, which will make balancing the state’s budget shortfall more difficult. The news comes after positive developments from last week’s forecasting board meeting. The additional funding needed for the coming budget cycle is
OpenSky offered insight on 13 different bills in 5 committees last week, weighing in on everything from property taxes to school vouchers to term limits. We were also in attendance at the meeting of the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board, an important step in the development of the state’s biennium
The OpenSky team was busy again last week, including our first engagement with the Appropriations Committee this session on the biennium budget. Our slate is full again this week and we look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders as the session continues. LB 261 and 264 – Research
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Health Access to quality health care is a key element of “The Good Life” because it helps keep Nebraskans working and thriving. Key Resources Medicaid Overview “A Healthy Nebraska,” updated in 2023, provides an overview of Medicaid and CHIP funding in Nebraska. Learn More State Budget Overview “Looking for Clarity,”
