EDITOR’S NOTE: As our state and nation continue to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, state fiscal and federal policies will play key roles in ensuring the physical and economic health of Nebraska and its residents. OpenSky Policy Institute staff will be continuously analyzing state and federal policies that impact Nebraskans during this national emergency. This analysis is part of that effort. You can access more of our pandemic-response policy analysis here. We also remind you that OpenSky staff are working remotely during the pandemic response. Remote contact information for staff members can be found here.

COVID-19 is a global pandemic already straining Nebraska’s health systems, schools and economy. The state has tools at hand to help ensure the economy holds as steady as possible and the most vulnerable Nebraskans have the medical care, social supports and other protections they need to weather the crisis.

The Legislature has shut down temporarily but may reconvene briefly as soon as next week to pass emergency appropriations to help the state respond to this unprecedented challenge. Some specific actions state leaders could take now include:

1. Expand Medicaid without delay and without community engagement requirements to help ensure Nebraskans get the life-saving health care they need.
2. Increase funding for public health to ensure adequate testing, preparation and prevention.
3. Expand access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to ensure Nebraskans don’t have to worry about food insecurity during this global health crisis.
4. Remove barriers to social support programs like Medicaid, SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to not only help families affected by illness and job losses but also bolster local businesses.
5. Ensure every worker has access to paid medical and family leave to let them care for themselves and family members affected by the virus and contain the spread for those exhibiting symptoms.
6. Expand unemployment protections to lessen the effects of job losses for individuals and communities.
7. Provide loans to Nebraska’s small businesses to help them weather the loss in business they may experience during the pandemic response.

State leaders may also consider reexamining the revenue estimates they’ve been using to formulate policy proposals this session. While the forecast was rosy in February, it didn’t take into account the dramatic impact the pandemic is likely to have on future revenues. For example, the cancelation of several major events in Omaha could significantly reduce what the state will ultimately collect in sales tax revenue compared to what is presently projected.

As the conversation about the best policy and social responses to the virus evolves over the next few days, weeks and months, additional needs and solutions are likely to arise. However, the policy reforms above could provide a good basis from which lawmakers can work to help ensure Nebraska protects its population and its economy throughout the crisis.