LINCOLN- The Poverty Elimination Act, introduced to the Nebraska Legislature by Sen. Terrell McKinney through LB840, aims to urge cities in the state to create a five-year anti-poverty plan. The bill received resounding support from the body during a legislative hearing on Tuesday, but a few opponents worried such an undertaking would be too expensive for smaller towns.

The North Omaha lawmaker, in testimony to the Legislature's Urban Affairs Committee, said he grew up poor. "It wasn't easy," he told committee members. But, McKinney said he hoped a mandate such as LB840 would help to establish a more concerted, purposeful strategy to spare thousands of Nebraska youth from a similar economic journey.

Lynn Rex, executive director of the League of Nebraska Municipalities who was among the opponents of the bill, said her objection was not a sign that poverty elimination was not important. Rather, Rex argued that such poverty elimination endeavors would require a consultant and adequate staffing, which might prove a financial struggle for smaller cities and towns.

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