THE NEBRASKA ECONMIC FORECASTING BOARD UPDATES NEBRASKA'S REVENUE FORECAST

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Board (NEFAB) met at 1:00 PM on October 28th in Lincoln to update the predicted economic forecast for the state over the current and coming fiscal years.

The board was presented with impressive figures by the Legislative Fiscal Analyst of the Legislature, which include major increases over previous forecasts. The board voted to raise revenue projections as follows:

• For FY2022-23, the forecast is +$621m above the previous NEFAB forecast.

• For FY2023-24, the forecast is +$809.5m above the previous NEFAB forecast.

• For FY2024-25, the forecast is +$1.05B above the previous NEFAB forecast.

The Department of Revenue representative says high corporate tax receipts are a key reason state tax receipts have come in above projections in recent months. The department, which presents its own projections, closely mirrored the numbers given by the Fiscal Analyst. 

The board’s projections for fiscal year 2022-23 were raised based on anticipated increases in revenue receipts across all categories, including projected increases of $405 million in individual income tax and $113 million in corporate income tax.

The Legislative Fiscal Analyst recognized that the state is in an unusual time where revenues have not just exceeded projections, but significantly exceeded projections. The forecasting board discussed the uptake of the LB1107 income tax credit for property taxes paid. One member raised concerns about the difficulty of claiming the credit for average taxpayers. A significant portion of the credit has gone unclaimed.

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LARGE NUMBERS OF CONTESTED RACES SPICE 2022 ELECTIONS FOR NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN- This election season, Nebraska has seen a higher-than-usual number of highly contested races, and contribution and donation amounts not often seen.

Because of large, prevalent issues like abortion and concealed carry, Nebraska Republicans are pursuing a 33-plus member 'supermajority,' which would allow the party to overcome Democrat filibusters. "For far too long, conservative bills haven't been passed in the Legislature because we haven't been able to overcome the 33-vote threshold," read a post on the Douglas County GOP's Facebook.

Jane Kleeb, Democratic Party state chair, doesn't believe Republicans will reach their goal of 33 members in the Legislature, but understands just how contentious these races will be. "More and more voters, particularly in the Douglas, Lancaster and Sarpy County area, aren't buying into their extremist agenda," stated Kleeb.

Pere Neilan, a political consultant, stated that chances for a Republican supermajority are "possible but difficult." Currently, the Nebraska Legislature is split 32-17, so only one previously Democratic or Independent seat would need to flip.

Neilan believes that abortion will not be the issue that determines the election, but rather inflation and taxes. However, Kleeb stated that she sees abortion as one of the most pressing issues in the state.

The races for Omaha-area seats are expected to remain firmly in control of the incumbents--Sens. Hunt, Cavanaugh, and DeBoer--but Lincoln is a different story. Early polling shows Republican attorney Russ Barger narrowly passing Democrat George Dungan III by around 300 votes.

Other races all over the state are as contentious, if not more, than those in the metropolitan areas.

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LAWMAKERS' ROAD TRIP PUSHES AIRPORT-RELATED CHANGE TO NEBRASKA CONSTITUTION

LINCOLN- A bipartisan trio of Nebraska lawmakers, including state Sens. Eliot Bostar and Lou Ann Linehan and U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, traveled around the state today in an attempt to find support for an amendment to the Nebraska constitution.

Amendment 1, which seeks to allow cities and counties to spend public funds to expand commercial flights, will be voted upon this November. Sen. Bostar stated that the change would initially affect nine airports in the state, allowing governing boards to guarantee a minimum amount of revenue to incent airlines to bring in new commercial services.

Sen. Bostar believes Nebraska has been falling behind other states when it comes to commercial flights, and that it's in the state's interest to 'level the playing field.' "This is a common-sense solution," said the Senator, "It affects the quality of life in a region."

The proposed amendment drew almost no criticism earlier this year when it was proposed during a public hearing held by the Legislature's Revenue Committee. It advanced very swiftly, passing unanimously before landing a spot on November's ballot.

Last week, the trio stopped in Scottsbluff, North Platte, Grand Island, Kearney, Norfolk, and Omaha for media appearances. At each of these locations, the lawmakers drew in several local supporters.

Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, believes the amendment will increase opportunity for Nebraska communities. "The potential impact is monumental," said Slone, "It's hard to know how we will continue to attract and retain exactly those people who drive our economy, those jobs and those companies, without having competitive commercial air service."

Sen. Linehan compared air travel today to what roads were to communities in the early to mid-1900s. "This is infrastructure," said the Senator, "We take care of roads, we take care of bridges...If you don't have airports, if you don't have air travel, you are not going to be able to grow."

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SUPPORTERS SAY NEBRASKA MINIMUM WAGE HIKE WOULD LIFT THOUSANDS OUT OF POVERTY

LINCOLN- Last week, Karen Anthony, who has worked as a home health care provider for 40 years, testified at the Nebraska State Capitol during a hearing for a ballot initiative to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour.

At the hearing, Anthony said that her current wage doesn't allow her to afford everyday essentials like gas or groceries. Anthony, who supports the amendment, believes the change will help Nebraskans, but also said that it only "scratches the surface." "I don't want a raise just for me, even though I definitely deserve it," said Anthony, "I want a raise for everyone like me."

The ballot initiative, if passed, would raise the state's minimum wage incrementally over the next five years, until it eventually caps at $15 an hour.

Since 2014, 30 states have increased their minimum wages. If the new initiative passes, and no other states raise their wages by 2026, Nebraska will have one of the highest minimum wages in the country, tied with California and just below Washington, D.C.

Proponents and opponents of the wage hike disagree on the expected economic impact, with supporters saying it will be a boon while critics say the opposite.

Gov. Pete Ricketts opposes the initiative, stating that wages should be dictated by the market and not by the government. Laura Ebke, a former state lawmaker, agreed with Rickett's sentiment, arguing that a wage hike would negatively impact rural Nebraskans. "That's the demographic in Nebraska that gets hurt the most," said Ebke.

On the contrary, supporters of the initiative, including Open Sky Insitute policy director Joey Adler Ruane, believe that the wage increase will lift over 10,000 Nebraskans out of poverty. During the hearing, Ruane stated that "arguing that the minimum wage should only be raised after the current inflationary outbreak is far in the past is arguing that low-wage workers should have no serious protection against the damage to living standards being done."

Supporters also argue that raising the wage would encourage workers to put more money into the economy, and believe that Nebraskans will be more likely to spend money at their place of employment and surrounding businesses.

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CONRAD, BOWERS SAY PRIOR EXPERIENCES PREPARING THEM FOR DISTRICT 46 SEAT

LINCOLN- The candidates for Sen. Morfeld's almost-vacant seat, Danielle Conrad and James Michael Bowers, have a lot in common on paper, but have been attempting to distinguish themselves since May's primary, where Conrad beat Bowers by a narrow hundred or so votes.

Conrad previously held the District 46 seat in 2006 and 2010, and is running on the idea that she will be one of the most experienced state senators if she wins a third term. If she does, Conrad's experience will be matched only by sitting Senator Ray Aguilar.

When in the Legislature, Conrad was a member of the budget-setting Appropriations Committee, and also served on the Redistricting Committee in 2010--two experiences that forced Conrad to find common ground with Senators of different views.

"It takes at least a full term to really get up to speed on the issues and process, the rules, and building rich relationships across the state and political spectrum," said Conrad, "I not only have the experience and knowledge, I have those relationships with existing state senators."

Bowers, who works as a therapist, school social worker, and business owner, says his experience in schools during the pandemic has put him "on the front lines" of understanding how policies created at the state level can impact Nebraska families.

If elected, Bowers said he would bring the experiences of his clients to the committee hearing rooms. "I understand the reality and practicality of many of these policies," stated Bowers, "of how a good policy can lift people out of poverty and strengthen families, and how bad lawmaking can hurt children and tear families apart..."

Bowers has also served on the Lincoln City Council since 2019, and he says the experience of leading the city through the pandemic and the aftermath of George Floyd's killing has prepared him for the Capitol.

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FLOOD ATTACKS PANSING BROOKS RECORD AS 'SOFT ON CRIME'

LINCOLN- U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, at a time when crime rates are rising in Lincoln, says that his opponent Sen. Pansing Brooks is too 'soft on crime.'

Flood described Pansing Brooks' past policies as "good for criminals, bad for police, and bad for public safety" during a news media event outside a Lincoln police station.

More specifically, Flood pointed out several bills that Pansing Brooks supported in the Legislature, including one that Flood said would provide an early release for criminals, and another that would eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for drug dealers.

During the event, Flood also stated that murders in Lincoln have increased by 100%, auto thefts by 40%, and arson by 37% over the last year.

However, the information cited by the Congressman, which was provided to him by the Lincoln Police Department, does not match reporting of city homicides.

Flood stated that lighter sentences and early releases for inmates "send a loud message to criminals and police officers." He went on to say also that "[he] back[s] the blue," and that "they need to know it.

Responding to Flood's criticism, Pansing Brooks claimed that Flood had "voted against law enforcement multiple times" while serving in the House of Representatives.

"In the Legislature earlier this year," said Pansing Brooks, "Flood voted against police, to create permit-less carry for handguns and to remove training requirements."

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Q&A IN NEBRASKA GOVERNOR'S RACE; PILLEN, BLOOD DISCUSS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH CARE

LINCOLN- Affordable housing and mental health care are the key topics in previous interviews, that held to be true going into this interview.

Pillen and Blood agreed that Nebraska needs to build more affordable housing and improve how it delivers mental health care. They disagreed on how they’d pursue change.

Pillen said his plan "Would be to inspire the communities to come together and solve problems. The governor’s seat can certainly help really large organizations understand (that) they need to play a role in helping get those infrastructure costs and invest."

Blood said she would first distinguish between workforce housing and affordable housing. She noted that money needs to be assigned with a purpose and not just thrown at these housing projects. She finished by noting, "We have to work with local government. There are, especially in our more rural areas, a lot of older buildings that have been zoned for commercial that we could retrofit to make into housing."

In regard to mental health care, candidates focused on different aspects.

Pillen was uncertain of the specific solution but did offer that, "We need more people, we need more young people to be incentivized and see the calling and have the help of the calling to be trained to be mental health specialists, because there are not enough people. Second would certainly be the mandates around the delivery of care."

Blood pointed to building mental health facilities and again, better-assigning dollars spent. Blood emphasized that we "Need to get certifications for health care workers that can help. We can get people trained in counseling. We have got to get more psychologists. That’s why telemedicine is so important and broadband is important."

For the full article click HERE

SMITH TOUTS WORK ON TAX RELIEF AND TRADE AS HE CAMPAIGNS FOR AN EIGHTH TERM

LINCOLN- Seeking re-election for an eighth two-year term, U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., is emphasizing his work on tax relief and foreign trade as he campaigns for votes in the state’s vast, 3rd Congressional District.

Smith has applauded the striking down of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court. He called Nebraska’s current ban on abortion after 20 weeks as “something that is reasonable.”

He has claimed more than 70% of the vote in every re-election bid in a district where Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 3-to-1.

This year, he faces two opponents, who have mounted nominal campaigns: Democrat David Else, an Overton farmer, and musician/businessman Mark Elworth Jr. of Omaha, a leader of the Legal Marijuana NOW Party.

Smith says he has built a great staff and great relations over his seven terms.

The congressman’s endorsements include those from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Rifle Association, the National Right to Life Committee and the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, which gave him a 100% rating as a “taxpayer hero.”

Smith is one of three candidates to become chair of the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policies and Social Security. If he is chosen — he would be the first Nebraskan to get that post — Smith said it would enhance his ability to seek favorable trade policies for Nebraska agriculture products.

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NEBRASKANS HAVE THREE DAYS REMAINING TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER ELECTION

LINCOLN- The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 8 general election is quickly approaching.

Nebraskans hoping to vote in the upcoming election now must register in person. The deadline to register online was October 21st, meaning any online voter registrations received at this point will not be effective for the 2022 general election.

In regard to mail-in registrations, any mail-in registrations postmarked after October 21st will not be counted.

Eligible voters have until 6 p.m. on October 28th to register in person at their county election office. Nebraskans can check their voter registration status and get the location of their polling place by contacting their county election office or by going online to www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/.

Early voting is underway, and registered voters can cast their ballot at their county election office during regular business hours before Election Day, Nov. 8. Polls will be open that day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central time.

Voters who lose or never receive their early ballot can cast a provisional ballot on Election Day at their polling place.

for the full article click HERE

SENATOR ERDMAN ENDORSES BRIAN HARDIN FOR LEGISLATURE

SCOTTSBLUFF- In a letter to the Scottsbluff Herald, State Senator Steve Erdman announced his endorsement of District 48 candidate Brian Hardin.

Senator Erdman said, "After visiting with both candidates and watching a recent forum, I believe Brian Hardin has a more thorough understanding of the issues that are most relevant for the 48th district."

"Brian’s ability to speak to these issues in a clear and concise manner will also serve him well as a state senator. Brian’s traditional roots growing up on a farm in Mitchell Valley as well as his diverse background will enable him to bring to the State Legislature the unique skill set needed to represent District 48 as well as all of western Nebraska. For these reasons, I am hereby endorsing Brian Hardin for the Nebraska State Legislature."

Senator Erdman is the representative of neighboring District 47. Brian Hardin is running a contested race against Don L. Lease II. Both Hardin and Lease are running for the legislature for the first time.

District 48 consists of Scottsbluff, Banner, and Kimball Counties. The district was previously represented by John Stinner who had been the district's senator since 2014.

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VARGAS BATTLES NEW GOP FIREWALL

OMAHA- While Douglas County would lean Democrat, Sarpy County, a Republican stronghold, was seen as the GOP's firewall to victory.

But this year there's a new player in the Second District and it arguably makes the Democrats case even harder.

That new player is heavily Republican Saunders County, added during the latest redistricting by the Nebraska Legislature.

As voters in Saunders County are casting their November ballots, they find themselves, for the very first time, helping decide who will win the 2nd Congressional District race, as GOP Congressman Don Bacon battles Democrat State Sen. Tony Vargas.

Saunders County is made-up of one small town after another, the largest being Wahoo with 4,600 people. Saunders was added to the 2nd District during a controversial redistricting vote by the Legislature last year.

One of those no votes, Tony Vargas.

To better describe the new area, one can look to the 2020 presidential election. In Douglas County, Joe Biden beat Donald Trump by 11 points. In Sarpy county it was the opposite, Trump beat Biden by 11 points. The difference comes in Saunders County where Trump won by 45 points.

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GOP ACTIVIST: NEW STATE LEADERS STRENGTHEN PARTY

LINCOLN COUNTY- Nearly 35 people gathered to hear Fanchon Blythe, one of Nebraska's National Committeewoman who helped overthrow the party elites at the GOP convention this past summer.

Blythe claimed the state party is flourishing and coming alive all over the state.

She told the audience that she “eats, sleeps and drinks” her efforts to help rebuild the party organization.

Blythe served as the chair of the Lancaster County Republicans for four years. She became widely known within the party in July as one of the six delegates whose credentials were revoked in advance of the state party convention in July. The six were outspoken critics of the established party line. Despite the attempt to exclude them, they made their way inside the convention hall.

“It was huge, what happened,” Blythe said. “”The state party used to operate mostly from the top, and a little ways down from there. Now, it operates from the bottom to the top. Everyone is included. It is no longer a party that is run by one family.”

Blythe said part of her work as a committeewoman now is to travel around helping county Republicans get organized. From North Platte, she was headed to Ogallala and Scottsbluff. She said in the late summer, she helped Saunders County organize, elect officers and revise their county constitution.

Blythe claimed they have rebuilt the party headquarters and is learning as a collective how to tackle the hard and pressing issues in the state.

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MORE THAN 9 MILLION VOTERS HAVE ALREADY CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN NOVEMBER ELECTIONS

WASHINGTON- Roughly 9.4 million Americans have already voted in the midterm elections, casting a combination of in-person early votes and mail-in ballots, according to data compiled by the United States Elections Project.

As expected, the states leading total votes so far are Florida, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, all of which have very contested races.

Thus far, 2.6 million people have voted in person while 6.8 million have returned mail-in ballots. Another 41.6 million voters have requested mail-in ballots, according to University of Florida Professor Michael McDonald.

The 17 states reporting data and that share party affiliation show that of the roughly 5.1 million Americans in those states who voted early, 50% are Democrats, 30% are Republicans and 20% are not part of either party or registered with another political affiliation.

In Nebraska, about 96,000 early ballots had been returned as of October 25th, according to data from the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office. Of those, 43% were returned by Republicans and 42% by Democrats. The remainder were from nonpartisans or people registered with another political affiliation.

Professor Michael McDonald said he was slightly surprised thus far by the early voter turnout amongst the Republican party, but is somewhat expected in this election cycle.

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OUTSIDE SPENDING FLOWS INTO NEBRASKA CONGRESSIONAL RACE BETWEEN BACON, VARGAS

OMAHA- Millions of dollars have poured into the race for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, a hefty sum that analysts say reflects a competitive contest. ​​​​

In the District 1 race, spending has been impressive, but not up to the standards set in the District 2 race.

Republican-dominated state and given the power of incumbency, the Republican incumbents have outraised, and outspent, their Democratic challengers, overall, in both races during the election cycle.

more than $12.3 million had been spent by the candidates and outside groups for the Bacon v. Vargas race. This spending is a sign of a tight and highly contested race between the two candidates.

Possibly making the biggest difference is the outside money. More than half of money spent in the Bacon-Vargas contest, nearly $7.4 million, has come from outside groups.

A significant share of the outside money, $3.5 million, has been spent in opposition of Vargas, compared with $2.1 million in opposition of Bacon. Another $1.7 million has been spent in support of Bacon.

Top outside donors supporting Bacon are the Congressional Leadership Fund and the National Republican Congressional Committee. Top groups supporting Vargas are the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the House Majority PAC.

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BARGER, DUNGAN OFFER STARK CONTRASTS IN RACE FOR NORTHEAST LINCOLN'S DISTRICT 26 SEAT

LINCOLN- District 26, previously occupied by Senator Matt Hansen will be filled by either Russ Barger or George Dungan. Both candidates are very different, but each identified public safety as a top issue.

Barger, a 50-year-old Republican attorney and entrepreneur, and Dungan, a 34-year-old Democrat and former public defender — have fundamentally very different views.

For Dungan, who finished 292 votes behind Barger in second place in May’s four-way primary race, the issue is nuanced and intertwined with the availability of accessible health care, including mental health care and substance-use programs.

“We need safe neighborhoods,” said Dungan, who worked in the Lancaster County Public Defender’s Office for eight years after earning an undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas and a law degree from American University.

For Barger, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate who has worked in Nebraska’s Attorney General’s Office and for the state’s Department of Labor, the issue seems more black-and-white.

“Our local law enforcement has been undermanned and underfunded for years, and it’s now showing with our record crime numbers in 2022,” he said in a written response to questions after declining an in-person or phone interview, citing time constraints.

Nowhere is their differences more apparent than in their stances on abortion. “There could not be a clearer contrast between Russ Barger and I when it comes to the issue of whether or not somebody has access to reproductive health care,” said Dungan.

Barger believes abortion should only be legal in cases when the mother’s life is threatened. He does not support exceptions for rape, incest or “fetal anomalies.”

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MORE MILES COMPLETED ON PANHANDLE'S HEARTLAND EXPRESSWAY

LINCOLN- Dignitaries gathered to celebrate the completion of an additional 14 miles of four-lane, divided freeway on the Heartland Expressway in Nebraska’s Panhandle.

The new four-lane portion extends from Nebraska Highway Link 62A,  east of Minatare, to Alliance.

Increased revenue from the Build Nebraska Act and the Transportation Innovation Act enabled the Nebraska Department of Transportation to extend the expressway.

The NDOT also received an $18.3 million grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America program.

The Heartland Expressway, a federally designated, high-priority corridor, will eventually provide multilane, divided highway access from Rapid City, South Dakota, to Denver, via Alliance, Scottsbluff, Kimball and Brush, Colorado.

Gov. Pete Ricketts, who attended Monday’s event, said the expressway will significantly increase the flow of freight from America’s border with Canada all the way to ports along the Gulf of Mexico.

Alliance Mayor Mike Dafney said the expressway has been long awaited by Panhandle residents.

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PILLEN SAYS TAX REFORM, REVAMP OF EDUCATION FUNDING ARE TOP PRIORITIES

OMAHA- At a Rotary Club of Omaha meeting, gubernatorial candidate highlighted his values ahead of the November 8th elections.

Rather than the traditional campaign events, such as candidate debates and large-scale public speeches, Pillen has favored smaller gatherings such as the Rotary Club.

“If you do nothing but large events, people might say they saw you, but they don’t know you,” Pillen said. 

Pillen said he would have called a special session this year to debate abortion legislation following the Supreme Court ruling in June, which Gov. Pete Ricketts did not do. 

When asked multiple times whether he would support a full abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest, Pillen responded: “It’s about saving as many babies as possible.” 

If elected, Pillen said he would first address the legislature. He said he wants to start an “attitudinal change,” to encourage lawmakers to serve the state, rather than their individual districts. 

Pillen’s top priority in office would be to fix Nebraska’s “broken tax code” and reduce property taxes. 

Pillen also has made education funding an increasingly prominent pillar of his platform. 

Another top priority for Pillen is addressing the so-called “brain drain,” which refers to large numbers of educated young adults leaving Nebraska. 

For the full article click HERE

PRISON WATCHDOG URGES CAUTION IN OPENING NEW UNIT FOR HIGHEST RISK INMATES

LINCOLN- A prison watchdog is urging caution as the state prepares to open a new, 384-bed unit designed to hold the state’s most dangerous inmates.

The Nebraska Inspector General's Office outlined in a 29-page report complaints from inmates, staff, and management at similar facilities in Tecumseh, York, and Lincoln. 

The report outlined a series of recommendations for the department in opening the $49 million, maximum-custody unit at the Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln, which has been billed as being specially designed to handle dangerous inmates. 

The Inspector General's report said the current facilities are operating more like restrictive housing, with the units struggling to provide the required out-of-cell time of 24 hours a week and rehabilitation programming. 

Mike Chipman, the president of the union that represents corrections officers, said he also has concerns, mainly about recent reductions in the minimum staffing requirements for some state prison housing units, reductions that have left one officer overseeing units that used to require two. 

The Inspector Generals Report highlighted areas such as staffing, writing out guidance requirements, body camera usage, increased behavior incentives, improved exercise yards, and Inmate transfer anger. 

For the full article click HERE

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN $800 MILLION TO KEEP INDEBTED FARMERS AFLOAT

LINCOLN- More than 13,000 farmers have benefited from nearly $800 million in federal debt relief, said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

The assistance came from a new federal initiative to erase farmers’ loan delinquencies to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and private lenders or to resolve their remaining debts after foreclosure.

Going forward, the USDA is expected to give hundreds of millions of dollars of relief to farmers who are facing bankruptcy or foreclosure and to those who are at risk of missing payments on their loans.

“The star of the show here is the farmer,” Vilsack told reporters. “The person that really matters is the farmer, and keeping that farmer, him or her, on the land so that he or she can take care of their family and their community.” 

The government’s farm loan obligations for its 2022 fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, totaled about $5.8 billion, according to USDA records. States with the highest obligations included Iowa at about $484 million, Arkansas at $424 million, Oklahoma at $366 million and Nebraska at $341 million. 

For those with government-backed loans from private entities, the average benefit was about $172,000. 

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COSTS OF INCARCERATION RISE AS INFLATION SQUEEZES INMATES, FAMILIES

LINCOLN- All over the country, prison commissaries are raising the prices of basic commodities, like deodorant and fresh fruit, to account for decades-high inflation rates. These items, which are not provided by the Nebraska Department of Corrections, are being made harder to purchase by families already struggling with high inflation.

State Sen. Terrell McKinney said that these raised prices are concerning, and that he plans to double down on seeking a legislative response. 

Sen. McKinney previously attempted to limit what prisons could charge inmates, but did not gain the necessary support in the Legislature. "Individuals are having to rely more so on family to make up for rising costs of goods they need inside," stated the Senator, "Inflation affects people inside and outside of prison, it's a fact you can't deny."

Wanda Bertram, communications strategist for the Prison Policy Initiative, shares a similar sentiment. Bertram believes that prison commissaries that charge inmates for essential items instead of providing them for free is placing an unnecessary burden on not only the inmates, but their families too. 

"The prison and jail system always has the power to play hardball with the provider to get prices down in order to make items more affordable for the consumers," said Bertram, "but a prison system that's already content with foisting the cost of things like over-the-counter medication onto incarcerated people probably is not going to work very hard to do that."

However, Shannon Ross, executive director of The Community, a nonprofit focused on inmate re-entry, stated that inflation isn't the only problem in prisons. Low inmate wages, she stated, are one of the reasons why inmates can't afford these commissary items. In Nebraska, inmates who work while incarcerated make between $1.21 and $4.72 a day, well below the state's minimum wage.

Many inmates rely on food from the prison commissary to provide more satisfying meals than what they are served by the state. Inmates have also reportedly had trouble finding fresh fruits and vegetables, often being served unhealthy or outright rotten food by the state. 

For the full article click HERE