Families of police officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty could get a one-time, $250,000 payment from the state under a bill that Nebraska lawmakers advanced Friday.
Lawmakers gave the measure initial approval on a 32-6 vote. The bill by Sen. Adam Morfeld, of Lincoln, would increase the payout from the current $50,000.
Some lawmakers objected to the increase, arguing it was politically motivated and that communities often take care of their own. Morfeld, a Democrat in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, is running for Lancaster County Attorney. Morfeld said he introduced the bill because he doesn't believe the current payout is large enough.
Listen now and subscribe: | | | |
Sen. Mike McDonnell, a former Omaha fire chief, said the measure offers recognition to families with loved ones who have sacrificed their lives on duty. The measure would apply to public safety officers, including police officers, probation officers, firefighters, emergency care providers, prison staffers and others.
New lesbian-owned lounge opening in Lincoln hopes to foster 'authentic' atmosphere
Nebraska principal placed on administrative leave
WWE star Hulk Hogan promoting beer’s introduction to Nebraska
No. 2 Nebraska volleyball wins 13th straight match; No. 1 Pittsburgh falls to SMU
Papillion dog, who loved pears and a select few, euthanized after tough life
Winter outlook not favorable to drought relief in Nebraska
Grand Island, the largest high school in Nebraska, cancels girls varsity basketball season
Hulk Hogan, WWE Hall of Famer, visits Lincoln to promote new beer
Cover Five: Is the running back carousel sustainable? And, Nebraska not closing book on Merritt
Lincoln couple dies in Grand Canyon accident
Rare, 'very, very bright' comet expected to make an appearance for Midlanders
Amie Just: How Nebraska volleyball beat Purdue on a night the Boilers had it rolling
Lincoln Journal Star 2024 Election Voter's Guide: Local candidates on the issues
After tumultuous upbringing in Nebraska, new state IT head hired to 'be a change agent'
Large wildfire in northern Lancaster County prompts evacuations
Meet Nebraska senators making laws in 2022
Ray Aguilar
Ray Aguilar
Grand Island
Republican
Courtesy photo
Joni Albrecht
Joni Albrecht
Thurston
Republican
Courtesy photo
John Arch
John Arch
La Vista
Republican
Courtesy photo
Carol Blood
Carol Blood
Bellevue
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Eliot Bostar
Eliot Bostar
Courtesy photo
Bruce Bostelman
Bruce Bostelman
Brainard
Republican
Courtesy photo
Tom Brandt
Tom Brandt
Plymouth
Republican
Courtesy photo
Tom Brewer
Tom Brewer
Gordon
Republican
Courtesy photo
Tom Briese
Tom Briese
Albion
Republican
Courtesy photo
John Cavanaugh
John Cavanaugh
Omaha
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Machaela Cavanaugh
Machaela Cavanaugh
Omaha
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Robert Clements
Robert Clements
Elmwood
Republican
Courtesy photo
Jen Day
Jen Day
Omaha
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Wendy DeBoer
Wendy DeBoer
Bennington
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Myron Dorn
Myron Dorn
Adams
Republican
Courtesy photo
Steve Erdman
Steve Erdman
Bayard
Republican
Courtesy photo
Mike Flood
Mike Flood
Norfolk
Republican
Courtesy photo
Curt Friesen
Curt Friesen
Henderson
Republican
Courtesy photo
Suzanne Geist
Suzanne Geist
Lincoln
Republican
Courtesy photo
Tim Gragert
Tim Gragert
Creighton
Republican
Courtesy photo
Steve Halloran
Steve Halloran
Hastings
Republican
Courtesy photo
Ben Hansen
Ben Hansen
Blair
Republican
Courtesy photo
Matt Hansen
Matt Hansen
Lincoln
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Mike Hilgers
Mike Hilgers
Lincoln
Republican
Courtesy photo
Robert Hilkemann
Robert Hilkemann
Omaha
Republican
Courtesy photo
Dan Hughes
Dan Hughes
Venango
Republican
Courtesy photo
Megan Hunt
Megan Hunt
Omaha
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Mike Jacobson
Mike Jacobson
North Platte
Republican
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Mark Kolterman
Mark Kolterman
Seward
Republican
Courtesy photo
Steve Lathrop
Steve Lathrop
Omaha
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Brett Lindstrom
Brett Lindstrom
Omaha
Republican
Courtesy photo
Lou Ann Linehan
Lou Ann Linehan
Elkhorn
Republican
Courtesy photo
John Lowe Sr.
John Lowe Sr.
Kearney
Republican
Courtesy photo
John McCollister
John McCollister
Omaha
Republican
Courtesy photo
Mike McDonnell
Mike McDonnell
Omaha
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Terrell McKinney
Terrell McKinney
Omaha
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Adam Morfeld
Adam Morfeld
Lincoln
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Mike Moser
Mike Moser
Columbus
Republican
Courtesy photo
Dave Murman
Dave Murman
Glenvil
Republican
Courtesy photo
Rich Pahls
District 31
Rich Pahls
Omaha
Elected 2020
402-471-2327
rpahls@leg.ne.gov
Courtesy photo
Patty Pansing Brooks
Patty Pansing Brooks
Lincoln
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Rita Sanders
Rita Sanders
Bellevue
Republican
Courtesy photo
Julie Slama
Julie Slama
Sterling
Republican
Courtesy photo
John Stinner
John Stinner
Gering
Republican
Courtesy photo
Tony Vargas
Tony Vargas
Omaha
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Lynne Walz
Lynne Walz
Fremont
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Justin Wayne
Justin Wayne
Omaha
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Matt Williams
Matt Williams
Gothenburg
Republican
Courtesy photo
Anna Wishart
Anna Wishart
Lincoln
Democrat
Courtesy photo
Kathleen Kauth
Kathleen Kauth
Omaha
Republican
Courtesy photo
Mike Jacobson
Mike Jacobson
North Platte
Republican
Courtesy photo
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!