LINCOLN, Neb. – On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Pillen vetoed LB 319, a commonsense bill that would ensure that Nebraskans can get the food they need by ending a lifetime ban on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for people with certain drug felony convictions.
Currently, Nebraskans who have been convicted for selling or distributing a controlled substance or for three felonies of possessing or using a controlled substance are blocked for life from accessing SNAP benefits, long after they have completed their sentences.
On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of state senators overwhelmingly voted to end that ban. Hours later, Pillen issued the veto with a message endorsing the lifetime penalty.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska testified in support of ending the lifetime SNAP ban. The bill was supported by a diverse coalition of advocacy groups, law enforcement and other Nebraskans. The civil rights organization is calling on state senators to override the veto.
ACLU of Nebraska Executive Director Mindy Rush Chipman made this statement:
“The governor is essentially endorsing punishing Nebraskans and their families for life because they struggled with addiction and made mistakes that they have since served time for,” Rush Chipman said. “Food insecurity is just one more collateral consequence of a felony conviction that threatens successful reentry and increases the risk of recidivism. This is simple: penalizing struggling Nebraskans will not make our communities safer. Senators got it right, and they should swiftly move to override the governor’s veto.”
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