Bill to bolster cancer benefits for Nebraska firefighters fails on floor as clock ticks down on session
By John Grinvalds
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Nebraska (KETV) — Nebraska lawmakers opened the week facing mounting pressure to move legislation as the session enters its final stretch.
“A lot to do, not a lot of time,” Speaker of the Legislature Sen. John Arch said Monday, as senators leaped from one extended debate to another.
Arch warned his colleagues that there would be many late nights this week.
“I’ll do my part to facilitate us addressing as many of the remaining bills as we can and to facilitate a smooth landing for this session,” Arch said. “But please keep in mind, it’s not only up to me as to how the remaining two weeks of our session plays out.”
Sen. Dave Wordekemper’s priority bill, which would make Nebraska firefighters diagnosed with cancer automatically eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, swallowed up all debate time in the morning.
“Firefighters are getting cancer rates in their 30s and dying in their 40s,” Wordekemper said. “And right now, that diagnosis is taking firefighters from their families just as surely as any fire ever could.”
Wordekemper said right now, firefighters must prove their cancer is linked to their work, often requiring legal representation and expert medical testimony. Wordekemper said that process creates unnecessary barriers for those seeking benefits.
During debate, supporters of LB400 discussed the importance of the bill in light of the wildfires raging across the state. Opponents said that was disingenuous.
“We’re going to talk today about the fires to get sympathy for the paid firefighters on this end of the state who are really looking for this benefit,” Sen. Mike Jacobson said. “And then we’re going to take the volunteers out in the end. And I can tell you they’re tired of being used in that way for being taken for granted, being used as a pawn to move this forward.”
Opponents also raised concerns about the scope and cost of the proposal, saying it would impose serious unfunded mandates on local governments.
“It’s whether or not this is a responsible mandate for this body to make for those property taxpayer dollars to be used for,” said Sen. Tanya Storer. “That’s the question.”
The measure fell one vote short of overcoming a filibuster.
In the afternoon, lawmakers took up another priority bill with bipartisan backing from Sen. Wendy DeBoer. Her proposal would eliminate a sunset date for a low-income childcare subsidy program.
“If you don’t have a safe place for your child to go, you can’t work,” DeBoer said.
DeBoer’s bill came up during budget debate, but now it’s standing alone.
Debate will continue into Monday evening.
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