Friends,

Happy Monday! This past week the legislature has seen a huge amount of time dedicated to debate on LB 753. I wish to broach upon a few other topics that need to be addressed at the legislature but also in our own communities.

As some may know, on the 3^rd of March I introduced LR5. It’s a legislative resolution to ratify an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to regulation of child labor.

The resolution wasn’t brought up out of thin air. Since 2018, the United States Department of Labor has seen a 70% increase in child labor violations, including in hazardous occupations. Just recently a meatpacking facility in Grand Island, Nebraska was found to be employing 50 child laborers, some as young as 13 years of age. Many of these children worked late hours and in dangerous environments that were inappropriate and unsafe.Their childhood and their education were placed on the backburner. This bill wouldn’t eliminate the infractions by these corporations, but it would send a strong message to the rest of this nation. The first state to ratify this amendment for the first time in the past 86 years is Nebraska! We value our children and we value our own workers, that’s what this is about.

An urgent priority for my office is LB560. Time is short for Nebraska to take advantage of the $91,000,000 available to the state to ensure long-term sustainable job growth that can create prosperity for our working families; to help our families benefit from rebates on weatherization and energy-friendly appliances that result in energy savings; to support tourism by providing more car charging stations across Nebraska, and so much more. From our agricultural community to our manufacturers, this is a win for all involved and this complicated act offers funds to help both our rural and urban areas, their residents and businesses. The state of Nebraska has a deadline of March 31st to apply for the funds from the IRA with a ‘notice of intent.’

Please feel free to contact the office by calling 402-471-2627 if you have any questions about legislation or need any help with a governmental issue. Thank you all. It’s an honor to represent legislative district 3!