This week is the final full week of the legislative session. Next week we will have a few days to wrap things up, but most of our work is coming to an end for the legislative session. On a happy note, that included the passage of LB15 on final reading Thursday afternoon.

The bill passed on a 48-0 vote and now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature. When signed and it becomes law. It will mean that Nebraska insurance companies will have to include coverage of hearing aids for children in their policies. While researching this bill, I was surprised to discover they currently are not covered. I am very pleased it’s going to be a reality now. This is the kind of bill that would not get passed without a lot of work from a lot of different people and I’m truly thankful for the supporters of the bill who helped push it along.

Why we do what we do!

LtoR: Senator Blood, Olivia Versaw & Brad Meurrens of Disability Rights Nebraska 
Olivia Versaw, (left) deaf since birth, is currently a college student and intern with Disability Rights Nebraska.

Breast is Best
LB209, a bill by Senator Albrecht, was amended during Select File with my bill LB13 this week. LB13 exempts breastfeeding mothers from Nebraska’s Public Indecency Laws. It will provide additional protection for these mothers as they provide nourishment to Nebraska’s future. Breastfeeding may not be the choice for all women, but it’s definitely the best choice for our babies.

The 2019 Bellevue, Nebraska Farmers’ Market
Every Saturday – May 25, 2019 to September 7, 2019
7:45 am to Noon – Rain or Shine
Live music at 9 AM
Washington Park located at 20th and Franklin in Bellevue, Nebraska
Early Birds welcome, and get the pick of the best produce.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 402-517-1446
Senator Carol Blood, Volunteer Market Manager

Friends, please take a moment and review the information below. I’m hosting the ONLY showing of this movie in Nebraska.

It’s a small theater and there are only 60 seats left. An individual ticket is only $13.38 each. The event will be held at Village Pointe Cinema located at 304 N. 174th St on June 12th @ 6:30 p.m ONLY! 

You MUST order your tickets in advance. After the movie, we will have a live discussion from Washington DC with other participants across the US on this ONE DAY ONLY nationwide screening of the film. We will have handout materials after the film. NOTE: Fun fact, a woman from Norfolk, Nebraska was one of the travelers.

Pledge to #ListenFirst by joining the movement to mend
the frayed fabric of America by bridging divides
one conversation at a time 

The Listen First Project (LFP) seeks to encourage conversations that prioritize understanding and help build trust and cooperation among schools, workplaces and society as a whole. LFP consists of 225 partner organizations and thousands of individuals with the National Conversation Project.

I am honored to be included among the list of cultural influencers who have joined the #ListenFirst movement and are recognized as Listen First Leaders by LFP. Among those recognized alongside me are: Dominique Wilkins, Bret Baier, Michael Steele, Van Jones, Katie Couric Robyn Tannehill and Senator Carol Blood.  Listen First is nonpartisan and never endorses or campaigns for any candidate or issue.

 Students from Pawnee Elementary visit the Capitol

Looking forward to summer vacation, these students from Pawnee Elementary spent the day visiting the capitol and a few moments with their State Senator. Speaking with those who are our future is one of the greatest honors of my job in the Legislature.

                         5K/1Mile Walk, Run, Roll

Cost: $35 Early Registration  $45 Day of Race                    Teams Welcome!
Location: Zorinsky Lake Park Shelter #5                   Challenge friends & coworkers
3808 S 154th St (156th & F Streets) Omaha               to join you for this great cause.
Race Times: 5K: 7AM-9AM   1mile: 8AM-10AM           ALL profits benefit BIA-NE 
                   

National Foundation for Women Legislators Student Scholarship 

Senator Blood Encourages Young Women to Participate

The National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) is launching their 2019 Annual Student Scholarship Program in early June. Scholarships will provide six women high school juniors or seniors a $3,000 college scholarship, an all-expense-paid trip to NFWL’s Annual Conference, and an award to be presented at the event.

Nebraska Students must be nominated by a currently elected woman serving in Nebraska, before they are invited to apply for the scholarship (which includes completing a short essay and submitting a recommendation letter from a teacher or employer).

I am encouraging all young women in the state who are interested in policy or public service to participate by seeking an elected woman to nominate them to receive one of these six available scholarships.

     All nominees must be:

• High School Junior (class of 2020) or Senior (class of 2019) Girl
• U.S. citizen
• Able to attend the 2019 Annual Conference November 18-21 in San Antonio, Texas
• Participants should go to the NFWL website for more information at WomenLegislators.org/programs/scholarships

                You are welcome to attend ALL mobile pantry events!
Please bring boxes or bags to carry food home.
June 19th   Bellevue Public Schools           June 29th   Church of the Holy Spirit
5:00 pm at: Mission Middle School             10:00 am at: 1305 Thomas Dr. Bellevue
2200 Washington Street – 402-293-4260     Phone: 402-291-7732

                                      2nd Saturday of Each Month
Harrison Street Baptist Church
8015 Harrison St. – La Vista
402-331-5510 Call for times
No income restrictions and registration information gathered for USDA tracking and compliance only 

Breaking Flood Assistance News

The deadline for government entities to submit a request for public assistance (RPA) has been extended to June 20. Officials can submit an RPA via the Grants Portal. Call 402-429-3389 if you have not received an email for the Grants Portal. http://ow.ly/6XTc50ug5WN   #nebraskaflood

FEMA just extended the deadline for affected Nebraska residents to for disaster assistance. Don”t wait to apply!
To Apply: go to DisasterAssistance.gov or Call FEMA at 800-621-3362; (call 800-462-7585 TTY)   
Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT seven days a week
Dodge and Sarpy Counties Disaster Centers Will Transition to Disaster Loan Outreach Centers
The Disaster Recovery Centers in Fremont and Bellevue, operated by the State of Nebraska and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will close at 6 p.m. May 17, and reopen Monday, May 20, as Disaster Loan Outreach Centers operated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The Sarpy County location will remain at:
3802 Raynor Parkway, (Suite 201) – Bellevue, NE 68123
Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m