News & Commentary

Lobby days at the Unicameral bring about a variety of people with different political beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences. For many, it’s an opportunity to make their voices heard on issues that affect them; for some, it’s a change to fight for their rights and basic governmental protection against various forms of societal discrimination and oppression. I fell into the latter group as I made my way into the Nebraska State Capitol Building on Wednesday with around 40 other people to meet with our state senators. This particular lobby day was organized by OutNebraska, a Nebraska nonprofit dedicated to advocacy on LGBTQ+ issues and creating a community of civically engaged LGBTQ+ Nebraskans. 

Nebraskans agree that high school activities and athletic events should be a place where being a good sport is the common standard and where students of all backgrounds are treated with respect.

All Nebraska students should feel safe in their classrooms; but unfortunately, harassment and bullying continue to be some of the most pervasive, frightening, and potentially damaging threats that students face in our schools. It's time to update Nebraska's anti-bullying law. 

A new white paper published by the ACLU of Nebraska adds to existing concerns about Nebraska's suspect abortion "reversal" law based on results of a public records request.

A bill that would criminalize a method of safe, legal abortion care is moving through the Nebraska Legislature.

Because of you, Nebraska children won’t be locked up alone for days, weeks or even months at a time.

My very first week as a Student Attorney in the Civil Clinic at the University of Nebraska’s College of Law, my professor told me I would be co-leading the Clean Slate Project, a program focused on assisting Nebraskans seek a fresh start and improve employment opportunities by cleaning their criminal record of past convictions, as well as charges that did not result in a conviction. “Oh, and there are a couple bills coming up in the next week or so that we might want to testify in support of,” he nonchalantly added.

Nebraska state senators are considering LB 986, introduced by Senators Pansing Brooks, Hansen and Wayne. The bill would “ban the box” in the higher education admissions process and prevent public colleges and universities from asking about or considering a person’s criminal record for purposes of admission.

Almost five decades ago, the United States Supreme Court affirmed a constitutional right to safe, legal abortion care in the landmark case Roe v. Wade. That right was reaffirmed in 2016 in Whole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt. A lot has changed since Roe was decided, but one thing hasn’t changed: those who are pregnant need the freedom to make the decisions that are best for themselves and their families and once that deeply personal decision has been made government and politicians need to stop judging and stop interfering with access to abortion care.