News from First Five Nebraska
 January 2015
 

 

Our vision is that all Nebraska children begin kindergarten with the experience they need to become successful students and productive citizens.  

 




Legislative pages ventured outside in subzero weather to raise the state flag as the Nebraska Legislature convened on January 7.

The Legislature convenes annually on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January. The flag will fly until the Legislature adjourns in June.

For updates on legislation affecting early childhood and other policy issues, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.  
Photo: Mike Veak 

 
Thank you former Governor Dave Heineman for your commitment to young children during your tenure as governor. Your work on behalf of Nebraska's youngest, most vulnerable children is preparing them to meet the future as confident, competent and productive citizens.



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Weysan Dun

"For every dollar invested in early childhood education, we have significant cost savings in future welfare costs, law enforcement costs and potential incarceration costs."

 

 

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104th Nebraska Legislature, First Session, Convenes  
      

The strike of the gavel occurred at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 7, calling the One Hundred Fourth Nebraska Legislature into session. Senators will meet for 90 days this first year of the two-year biennium and 60 days next year, in accordance with the state constitution.    

 

The first session of a new biennium includes election of new leaders, including officers of the Legislature, standing committees, select and special committees. Senator Galen Hadley, Dist. 37, from Kearney, was elected Speaker. The following were among the committee chairpersons chosen:    

All indications are that considerable debate will occur around issues of reform and restructuring. We'll hear a lot about property tax relief, prison reform and overcrowding, restructuring the Department of Health and Human Services, and education funding.  

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2015 Legislative Committees     

FFN Backs 2 Bills Aimed at Closing
the Achievement Gap
 
First Five Nebraska's highest priorities this legislative session are two bills that work collaboratively to achieve the common goal of offering Nebraska communities the tools and flexibility they need to provide their youngest, most at-risk children with early experiences that close the achievement gap.

The bills strengthen efforts to help parents learn how to nurture their young children and foster the important character traits needed for success in school and life.

Senator Kate Sullivan has introduced LB489, which will transform the already successful early childhood public-private partnership known as Sixpence and address local community needs by engaging child care providers in Sixpence grants. Statewide
support for the bill is seen in its nine co-sponsors: Senators 

Brasch, Campbell, Cook, Johnson, Kolowski, Pansing Brooks,

Scheer and Stinner.  

 

In addition, LB547, which allocates federal child care funds to support this effort, was introduced by Senator Kathy 
Campbell. This bill will leverage existing resources to reach more at-risk children.  

Together, these bills will equip Nebraska communities to reduce the achievement gap in their youngest, most at-risk children before they enter the K-12 system. Look for updates on LB489 
and LB547 in next month's newsletter. You can receive an update at any time throughout the session at our website.  

Former FBI Agent to Legislators: Building Character in Early Childhood Would Cut Law Enforcement Costs

State senators, state board of education members, Attorney General Doug Peterson, school superintendents and Nebraska Early Childhood Business Roundtable members were among those who heard Weysan Dun, retired Special Agent in Charge, Omaha Division, speak about the links between character development in early childhood and savings in corrections costs.
Other speakers at the January 12 luncheon were Dr. Samuel Meisels, founding executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, Lincoln Public Safety Director Tom Casady with Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Mark Musick from Mission: Readiness and FFN Senior Policy Associate Jen Goettemoeller. First Five Nebraska hosted the luncheon with Mission: Readiness and Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.

 

See coverage of the event by the Lincoln Journal-Star and ABC affiliate KLKN-TV.