LINCOLN- On Wednesday, Sen. Vargas introduced, for the third time in his tenure as a state senator, LB248 to the Judiciary Committee, a bill that would make it unlawful to deny an apartment to someone based on source of income. The bill's main aim, according to Vargas, is open more doors for those who rely on benefits such as Social Security or federal housing vouchers.

We need to make sure we are removing barriers," he told the Committee, "This is going to impact long-term earnings, childhood educational achievement, and the likelihood of ending up in our justice system." Public testimony for Vargas' bill lasted around three hours, and five other housing bills were also heard on Wednesday that, together, seek a state infusion of $600 million into housing development programs in Nebraska.

Erin Feichtinger, a representative from the Women's Fund of Omaha, argued that the state's pressing housing needs should be attacked on many different fronts. "It will give families a better chance of success," said Feichtinger of Vargas' LB248. Another proponent of the bill, Alicia Christensen of Together Omaha, echoed a similar sentiment, saying that people shouldn't be shut out of places solely because rent is subsidized by the government.

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