NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE
The official site of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature
Sen. Megan Hunt
District 8
The content of these pages is developed and maintained by, and is the sole responsibility of, the individual senator's office and may not reflect the views of the Nebraska Legislature. Questions and comments about the content should be directed to the senator's office at mhunt@leg.ne.gov
March 14th, 2024
In 2023, the Heart Ministry Center interviewed 29 individuals who had been denied SNAP benefits due to a drug-related felony on their records. A sample of those interviews can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/Vfq_Q8HONjI?si=cAHTdQvluGXvlJ5C. 28 of the 29 interviewed had completed a drug treatment program but were still denied access to SNAP benefits.
“At the Center, we serve over 125,000 community members in our food pantry annually. The Center’s food distribution program is a “choice” food pantry, which means community members can choose what they want to eat. This allows clients to be treated with more dignity and respect while reducing waste. The Center’s food distribution program is the largest food pantry in Nebraska, and in 2023 the program distributed over 3.8 million pounds of food. The Center offers SNAP enrollment assistance as a part of our food distribution service and many are accessing this service because they do not qualify for SNAP due to their criminal records.”
— Heart Ministry Center
Under current statute, an individual with a conviction for drug distribution or with three or more felony convictions for possession or use of controlled substances is ineligible to receive SNAP benefits for the rest of their life. LB 88 would allow these individuals to become eligible for SNAP once they have either completed their sentence or they are serving a term of parole, probation, or post-release supervision.
This ban is selectively moralistic, and incongruent when we consider that it doesn’t apply for any other type of crime. It’s cruel and willfully ignorant to say that our prison systems are intended to be rehabilitative, and for us to then send these folks back out into the world and continue punishing them by denying them access to assistance in meeting one of their most fundamental needs.
This bill has been brought many times, and I will continue to bring it until it is passed or until my time in this body is over.
When people are re-entering society after time in a correctional facility, their first and most basic human need is food. For many, it takes time to get established with housing, a career, and to start rebuilding a productive life. None of that can happen for a person that is going hungry.
Dear friends and neighbors,
Despite the broad bipartisan support and the bill’s data-backed approach, today Governor Pillen has vetoed my priority bill, LB 307. In response, I want to express my disappointment and reiterate the importance of this public health measure for Nebraska prior to the Legislature taking up a veto override in the coming days.
Governor Pillen’s veto statement about my priority bill demonstrates that he is simply not familiar with the bill. He has a fundamental misunderstanding of the function of Syringe Service Programs (SSPs), which serve as a doorway to accessing treatment. The relationships, resources, and referrals people obtain from an SSP are often the first opportunity for treatment they receive. In fact, people who use SSPs are up to five times more likely to receive treatment. In addition, no public health, medical, or behavioral health clinic administering an SSP is going to hand out syringes to young children. To imply otherwise is fear-mongering and undermines trust in Nebraska’s expert healthcare providers.
The bill was developed and informed by input and support from local experts in public health and addiction psychiatry, the Nebraska Medical Association, county health departments, social workers, pharmacists, law enforcement, behavioral health, the former Surgeon General under President Trump, and Nebraskans who have experienced addiction. I have no doubt that we will successfully override this veto and make great strides toward our shared goals of increasing public health and safety through LB 307.
Below you can read my press release in response to Governor Pillen’s veto.
I appreciate your ongoing support and engagement on matters vital to our community’s well-being. Stay tuned for updates on LB 307 and other initiatives aimed at building a healthier Nebraska.
All the best,
Meg
October 10th, 2023
It’s that time of year again. My office is looking for a few great students to intern with our office!
Apply here by Nov. 13th! More details are below.
Position: Legislative Intern
Location: Nebraska State Capitol, Lincoln, NE
Duration: January 2024 – May 2024 (Flexible start and end dates)
Compensation: Unpaid (Academic credit available)
About Senator Megan Hunt: Senator Megan Hunt is a dedicated advocate for the people of Nebraska, known for her progressive approach to policy-making and her commitment to community engagement. Elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, Senator Hunt serves on several key committees, focusing on issues such as education, healthcare, and workforce development. You can view more information about Senator Hunt here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/landing-pages/index.php?District=8
Internship Description: As an intern in Senator Megan Hunt’s office, you will have the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the legislative process and contribute to meaningful policy initiatives. This internship offers a unique insight into the inner workings of Nebraska’s legislative system and provides an invaluable learning experience for individuals passionate about public service.
Responsibilities:
- Ability to work 5-10 hours/week (flexible)
- Conduct research on legislative issues, policy proposals, and constituent concerns
- Draft memos, reports, and other written materials
- Attend committee meetings, hearings, and community events on behalf of the office
- Assist with constituent inquiries and correspondence
- Support the legislative team with administrative tasks
- Create social media graphics and content on legislative issues
Qualifications:
- Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Analytical and research-oriented mindset
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
- Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information with discretion
How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit this form. The form will ask for:
- Three responses to relevant questions
- Resume
- Cover letter outlining your interest in the internship and relevant qualifications
- Contact information for one reference
Application Deadline: Monday, November 13th by 11:59pm CT.
Application Decision: You will be notified about your application by Monday, November 27th.
Note: This internship may be eligible for academic credit. Please check with your academic advisor or institution for specific requirements.
Senator Megan Hunt’s office is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse work environment. Individuals of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
For further inquiries, please contact Cassy Ross at cross@leg.ne.gov
We look forward to welcoming a passionate and dedicated intern to our team for the 2024 legislative session!
February 2nd, 2023
Dear friends and neighbors,
LB 574, a bill that would prohibit healthcare providers from providing gender-affirming care to children, will be heard in the Health and Human Services Committee on February 8th.
Children’s Hospital, an organization that has previously been so vocal in supporting LGBTQIA+ kids, has decided to take no position on the bill. Please consider signing and sharing this letter asking Children to stand up for trans kids on February 8th and always!
You can also read the bill AND submit online testimony (SUPER IMPORTANT!!) Click here to ensure your voice is heard! The deadline to submit and verify a comment for the record is February 7th at 12:00 pm.
All the best,
Meg
Testify in Opposition to the LB574
Feb. 8th at 1:30 pm
Room 1510
Health & Human Services Committee
Committee members include Senators: Hansen (chair), Hardin (vice-chair), Ballard, Cavanaugh, M., Day, Riepe, and Walz.
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May 23rd, 2022
Menstrual Hygiene Product Drive
May 23rd – May 30th
FiveNine – 6105 Maple Street, Omaha
May 19th, 2021
LB260 Passes!
My priority bill, LB 260 passed on final reading today, with a veto-proof number of affirmative votes. (33 yes, 11 no, and 5 present-not voting) I am proud to have 25 cosponsors on this and a broad base of bipartisan support.
LB 260 adds “caring for a family member with a serious health condition” to the list of reasons that are considered “good cause for voluntarily leaving employment” in our Employment Security Law. In other words, it would allow people who have made every effort to preserve employment but who have to leave work for temporary family caregiving needs to be eligible for unemployment if and when they are ready and willing to look for new work.
Voting NO: Albrecht, Clements, Erdman, Friesen, Groene, Halloran, Hansen, B., Hughes, Lowe, Moser, Slama
Present – Not Voting: Arch, Bostelman, Brewer, Lindstrom, Lienhan
Voting YES: Aguilar, Blood, Bostar, Brnadt, Briese, Cavanaugh, J., Cavanaugh, M., Day, DeBoer, Dorn, Floor, Geist, Gragert, Hansen, M., Hilgers, Hilkemann, Hunt, Kolterman, Lathrop, McCollister, McDonnell, McKinney, Morfeld, Murman, Pahls, Pansing Brooks, Sanders, Stinner, Vargas, Walz, Wayne, Williams, Wishart
Why Is LB260 Important?
Under current law, employees who leave work due to family caregiving demands are not able to collect unemployment benefits that they have earned throughout their years in the workforce. This would cover situations in which someone had to leave one job, then they have a temporary period where they’re providing care and are out of work, and then they’re ready to get back in the workforce. For example, an employee may have a parent that suddenly becomes seriously ill. It may take weeks for the employee to make suitable arrangements for the parent’s long-term care, or until the parent might be admitted into a care facility. This bill would provide a safety net until the need for full-time caregiving passes.
The coronavirus pandemic has made this bill even more important. Many jobs don’t grant workers enough flexibility to care for a sick loved one. Closures, capacity restrictions, and fear of infection have caused a strain on the availability of skilled care, and facilities are experiencing high rates of infection spread. Vulnerable individuals may have more demanding and long-term care needs following infection with the virus. These factors in combination with increased unemployment and the difficulty of finding new jobs as a result of COVID-19 make it harder than ever for working Nebraskans who have family caregiving needs.
24 states have adopted this change.
Sen. Megan Hunt
P.O. Box 94604
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 471-2722
Email: mhunt@leg.ne.gov
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