$120M in Federal Rental Aid Could Be Back in Play
State Sen. Matt Hansen of Lincoln has launched an effort to put extended federal assistance into the hands of Nebraska renters — challenging an earlier stance taken by the governor.
Last week, Gov. Pete Ricketts told the Nebraska Examiner the state would not apply for a second round of federal emergency rental aid, calling the $120 million at stake “irresponsible spending,” and the kind that has “ushered in record inflation and surging national debt.”
Ricketts said the funding wasn’t needed because the state had unspent money from the first round of rental assistance. He criticized the second round of funding because applicants don’t have to show evidence of COVID-19 financial problems.
The governor’s decision sparked frustration from some senators and advocates. They said Nebraska families need the help and noted that the money would be distributed to other states — not returned to the Treasury — if Nebraska did not partake.
Now Hansen has amended Legislative Bill 446 to allow lawmakers an opportunity to vote on accepting the second round of rental funds. A public hearing on the amendment is scheduled Friday before the Urban Affairs Committee.
Nebraska has until the end of March to decide whether to pursue the federal funds.
This story was originally published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. It is part of the national nonprofit States Newsroom. Find more at nebraskaexaminer.com.
User login
Omaha Daily Record
The Daily Record
222 South 72nd Street, Suite 302
Omaha, Nebraska
68114
United States
Tele (402) 345-1303
Fax (402) 345-2351