As we enter the final twenty days of the long session, it only seems fitting that our legislative days would extend into the twilight of each day, as well. This week was a productive one, packed with late-night debate, a few filibusters, and some fireworks- both literal and figurative.

This past Friday morning, my bill to expand the sale of fireworks, LB 152, passed on Final Reading with a vote of 42-3. LB 152 passed with an emergency clause, which means that it will go into effect as soon as the governor signs the bill into law. This Fourth of July, Nebraskans will be able to purchase a far wider variety of fireworks.

Our state’s definition of consumer fireworks departed from the federal definition, which created restrictions that limited the fireworks available to Nebraskans, especially when analyzing our neighboring states, such as Missouri and South Dakota. This had an economic impact on our state. In 2019, fireworks sales in Missouri topped 51 million dollars, while Nebraska only made 6.6 million. That statistic means Missouri has per-capita firework sales nearly three times that of Nebraska. A significant reason for this is that Nebraskans were willing to travel out of state to get access to fireworks that they could not purchase at home. Now that LB 152 has passed, Nebraskans can buy their larger fireworks in-state, rather than by crossing the border. LB 152 will boost our economy by encouraging in-state purchases of fireworks, while still ensuring that the State Fire Marshal’s office has the tools necessary to maximize safety.

In other positive news, Senator McKinney’s LB 452 passed through to the second round of debate this past week. LB 452 would require Nebraska’s graduating seniors complete at least one half-credit’s worth of coursework in personal finance.

Now more than ever, financial literacy is critically important to our youth. According to the Federal Reserve, student loan debt in the United States is $1.71 trillion dollars, which is almost double our country’s total credit card debt. We’ve never had this kind of level of personal debt in our country, we’re sending young adults into the world and out to college with little idea how to balance a budget and scarce understanding that the thousands of dollars that they’re taking out in student loans to pay for college are the only kind of debt that doesn’t disappear with bankruptcy. After the implementation of LB 452, we will be giving our youth a basic understanding of their personal finances and securing them better access to a successful future. 

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.