Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Social Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate adds $300,000 a year in health-care cash funds to Special Olympics Nebraska
Summary
The Legislature approved an amendment to transfer $300,000 per year from the health-care cash fund to Special Olympics Nebraska for outreach, health screenings and program expansion; the amendment passed after an opposition argument that the nonprofit should seek private donations.
Lincoln
The Nebraska Senate on Tuesday approved AM 12-64, a one-time transfer of $300,000 per year from the Health Care Cash Fund to support Special Olympics Nebraska.
Senator Raybould offered the amendment on the floor and said the money would expand outreach in central and western Nebraska, pay for health screenings and recruit volunteers. "Special Olympics athletes are five times more likely to be employed than individuals with disabilities who haven't had the opportunity to participate," Raybould said in support.
Senator Clements objected to a general-fund-style appropriation for a nonprofit and told colleagues he preferred private philanthropy; he also said the organization had received $500,000 in one-time state funding in 2024 and the committee had not seen full accounting of that spend. "I prefer to see them reach out to donors to expand their programs," Clements said.
Supporters, including Senators Spivey and Greco, said the Health Care Cash Fund is an appropriate source because the fund contains tobacco-settlement proceeds used for health initiatives. Senator Greco said the funding would be a "force multiplier" for private donations and free health screenings that for many athletes are their first access to basic medical care.
The body put the measure under call to ensure a roll call and then approved AM 12-64. The amendment was incorporated into AM 8-32 on the mainline budget package.
Ending: With the vote, Special Olympics Nebraska will receive $300,000 in both years of the next biennium from the health-care cash fund; the program director must coordinate grant use and reporting.
