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(Lincoln, NE) -- The Nebraska Legislature tried, but failed, to override Governor Jim Pillen’s veto of a bill that would have allowed certain felons to receive SNAP benefits.
“If someone is hungry and they don't have a reliable source of food, I don't really understand how anyone could go against this bill, could veto this bill,” said Senator Wendy DeBoer.
Governor Pillen vetoed Legislative Bill 319 last week, and said the bill created “loopholes” for offenders to avoid treatment.
Some lawmakers supported the governor’s stance.
“I am never going to stop standing up for the victims of these crimes. It's as if this body has an allergy to the word ‘victim.’ Drug crimes, drug distribution, drug sales are not victimless crimes,” said Senator Tony Sorrentino.
Legislative Bill 319, introduced by Senator Victor Rountree, would have allowed individuals with three or more felony convictions for drug use or distribution to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits if they were participating in a treatment program, had completed their sentence, or were on parole.
It takes 30 votes to override a governor’s veto in Nebraska. Lawmakers only secured 24 votes, so the veto stands.