LINCOLN- Supporters of LB108, a bill that would allow more Nebraska families to qualify for food aid, said the bill would feed children and give more support to struggling families. They also noted that this would put more money into the state's economy. The measure would raise income limits for SNAP benefits and would help 2,500 households. It cleared the first-round with a 29-18 vote.

“I think we owe the people that can’t afford food the right to have their bellies full when they go to bed at night,” Sen. Mark Kolterman said.

The introducer of the bill, Sen. John McCollister, said the aid would be funded through federal dollars and the latest pandemic relief package would cover the cost of administering the aid. The limit on gross household income would increase to 165% of the federal poverty level, up from 130%. The current figure is net income of $34,450, and would raise to $43,725 under LB108.

Opponents of the bill say this incentivizes people who choose not to work. “My question has been: Why would we be doing this at a time of low unemployment?” said Sen. John Arch of La Vista. The measure is likely to face a veto by Governor Ricketts.

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