Click here to access the 2011 End of Session Report:

http://www.jeremynordquist.com/assets/2011Report.pdf

Food stamp bill allows savings

By Martha Stoddard, Omaha World Herald
March 3, 2011

LINCOLN — Nebraskans using food stamps might have a better chance of getting ahead under a bill advanced by the Legislature Thursday.

Senators amended Legislative Bill 543 to eliminate a $2,000 limit on savings accounts of food stamp applicants.

The change means people would qualify for what is now the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program based on income and other requirements. Their assets would no longer be considered in determining eligibility.

Impersonation could be crime

By Martha Stoddard, Omaha World Herald
February 11, 2011

LINCOLN — State Sen. Amanda McGill of Lincoln rarely goes anywhere without her Blackberry, and she’s a regular on Facebook.

As one of the younger Nebraska lawmakers, she’s comfortable with electronic media. But last fall she encountered a darker side of the online world.

State Tries to Make Health Care More Affordable

By Catherine Crane, 1011 News
January 13, 2011

For some people the national health care reform seems like a cookie cutter solution. Senator Jeremy Nordquist is trying to give Nebraskans choices.

"The exchange is really the system that allows people to go out and compare and purchase the plan that works best for them," said Senator Nordquist.

He introduced a bill to create the Nebraska Insurance Choices Exchange Task Force to help prepare Nebraskans for the impending health care reform.

Proposed smoking bill makes sense

By Jan Schultz, News Editor
The Imperial Republican

A bill introduced this week in the Nebraska Legislature addresses smoking on school property, and is one that likely won’t have a lot of opposition.
LB 313, introduced by Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, if passed, would make Nebraska’s public schools, and the property they sit on, entirely 100% tobacco free. The measure would extend that smoke-free requirement to off-campus school-sponsored events.

Measure would keep tobacco out of Neb. schools

Associated Press
January 12, 2011

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A proposal in the Nebraska Legislature would ban the use of all tobacco products in all school buildings and properties and at all school events - even those off campus.

State Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, of Omaha, introduced the Tobacco Free Schools Act (LB313) on Wednesday.

Nordquist says public schools can't teach about the dangers of tobacco and allow students, staff, and visitors to continue "to set bad examples."

Bill would make child support debtors' names public

By Kevin O'Hanlon and JoAnne Young, Lincoln Journal Star
January 18, 2011

A proposal by an Omaha senator would publicize the names of parents who don't pay child support.

The bill (LB488), introduced Tuesday by Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, would allow publishing the names of non-custodial parents whose child support debts exceed $5,000 and who have not made payments in the past six months. The parent's name would not be published if he or she were involved in bankruptcy proceedings or receiving public assistance.

Website started to ask Nebraskans about health care reform

By Nancy Hicks, Lincoln Journal Star
September 29, 2010

Nebraskans can tell state leaders what they need most from health care reform through a new website created by Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist.

The online form asks questions about Nebraskans' top priorities and concerns as the federal health care reform is implemented in Nebraska.

Senator Nordquist Launches YourHealthCarePriorities.com

(OMAHA, Neb.) – Nebraskans concerned about implementation of the new federal health care law now have an easy, online way to make their voices heard.

State Senator Jeremy Nordquist announced the launch of YourHealthCarePriorities.com. The website contains a short online form, asking questions about Nebraskans’ top priorities and concerns as the Affordable Care Act is implemented in Nebraska. The responses are sent directly to members of the Nebraska Legislature, as well as Governor Dave Heineman.

By NANCY HICKS and JoANNE YOUNG, Lincoln Journal Star
Friday, September 17, 2010

Asked to describe their world with 10 percent less in state funding, state agencies offered some stark scenarios.

Health and Human Services, the state's largest agency, could lose almost 150 employees.

The Attorney General would have to eliminate the interstate water litigation program, jeopardizing the state's defense against the $72 million damage claim by Kansas.

The prison system would encourage the Parole Board to release more nonviolent offenders as quickly as possible.