LB121 from @NebraskaMegan is being heard right now in HHS Committee. This would repeal the lifetime ban on SNAP that NE has for certain drug felony convictions.

So far proponents include:
Appleseed
Together
OpenSky
ACLU
Nebraska Catholic Conference
And the Omaha Police Department

Currently waiting in the room to oppose: DHHS Department of Children and Family Services

And here we go on opposition.
Stephanie Beasley, director of the Division of Children and Family Services:
DHHS is supportive of Nebraskans trying to put their lives back on track, "but does NOT support benefits for people convicted of 3 or more drug felonies."
Thank you.

Senator M Cavanaugh: we know how much it costs to incarcerate a person. What's the avg cost of SNAP benefits?
Beasley: $120- $240/mo
M Cavanaugh: there's no fiscal note on this so why are you here in opposition? You're usually here because of the fiscal note...

Beasley: ....
Cavanaugh: so this is a philosophical opposition? Because there's no fiscal impact, it's not difficult to execute...it's just that the Department doesn't believe a certain group of people in the state deserve food even though we will spend $2k+/mo to incarcerate

M Cavanaugh: just trying to understand the opposition here. If the Federal govt hadn't done this ban with the War on Drugs - would DHHS be here asking us to ban convicted drug felons from receiving SNAP?
Beasley: the DHHS has opted for the modified ban.

M Cavanaugh: why aren't you asking us to expand this ban to other types of felonies?
Beasley: well...
M Cavanaugh: I just don't understand why this particular group of people is problematic for the Department - why not sex traffickers?

M Cavanaugh: I don't understand why the DHHS is here in opposition to giving approximately 700 Nebraskans access to food?
Beasley: our opposition is that these people will not seek treatment without the ban.
M Cavanaugh taps out, exasperated.

Senator Walz picking it up.

Walz referring to a previous testifier who told his very moving story of trying to get back on his feet and being told he would never qualify for SNAP.
Is there a way to work with Senator Hunt on this so people like him have a chance?

Beasley: it's about the number of treatment centers.

M Cavanaugh back up: whose responsibility is it to provide food access to Nebraskans? Is it DHHS or the community?
Beasley: I think it's our responsibility.
M Cavanaugh: then why neglect this population?

Beasley: we will continue to maintain this modified ban and a lifetime ban for drug felony conviction a for distribution and selling.
M Cavanaugh: what about the families of these individuals?
Beasley: it's an individual disqualification, not a household disqualification.

M Cavanaugh: has the DHHS decided they are going to be advocates FOR systemic poverty? How does this NOT systematize poverty?
Beasley: Senator, we are encouraging treatment...
M Cavanaugh: take drug addicts out of this, what about drug dealers?

Beasley: this does eliminate people who have been convicted of distribution and dealing.
M Cavanaugh: okay. Okay. Thank you.

And that concludes this hearing.

A laundry list of other supporters submitted written testimony:
All the food banks
All the food pantries
Voices for Children
Women's Fund
NSEA

Basically everyone who is working to help people who are hungry.

The only oppo? The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

Every time.

Oh dang @NebraskaMegan calling out DHHS in her closing -
"I don't believe Director Beasley holds this view in her heart. Listen to the way she was answering questions. This comes from the top and we are the Legislature. The Department will do what we legislate...

"Who does this help? Who? Why are we doing this?
This is common sense. It's good for families. It's good for kids.

The number of people who are going to be impacted by this - it's worth it."