A governor\u2019s veto of a bill that would make additional Nebraskans eligible for professional licensure was overridden by the Legislature April 20. Lawmakers voted 31-13 to override the veto. Thirty votes were needed.<\/p>\n
Introduced by Omaha Sen. Heath Mello, LB947 allows Nebraska residents who are covered by the federal Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to apply for professional or commercial licenses in order to practice their professions. Eligible residents can apply for credentials under the Uniform Credentialing Act.<\/p>\n
Administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the DACA program is designed to protect from deportation individuals who were brought into the country illegally as children. Those who meet DACA guidelines are eligible for a work permit and may request deferred action for two years, subject to renewal.<\/p>\n
Senators had passed the bill April 13 on a 33-11 vote, but Gov. Pete Ricketts vetoed it April 15.<\/p>\n
In his veto message to the Legislature, Ricketts said the bill is premature and exacerbates the uncertain future of DACA program recipients if their status were to be revoked.<\/p>\n
\u201cLB947 is an affront to the individuals who are observing our laws and navigating proper immigration channels to obtain jobs and legal status,\u201d he wrote. \u201cThe enactment of this bill would unjustly allow individuals who are here illegally to be ahead of those who have been waiting years to be granted a proper permanent or legal status in our country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mello offered a motion the last day of the session to override the governor\u2019s veto, saying that DACA residents have been educated and trained in the state and should now be allowed to work in the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe run for office to make a difference, to improve our communities, to strengthen our economy and to give people a better shot at the American dream,\u201d he said. \u201cThat is what we\u2019re doing with LB947.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mello said the bill received no opposition testimony during its Feb. 11 committee hearing and was supported by a broad coalition including the Omaha and Lincoln chambers of commerce and the Nebraska Cattlemen.<\/p>\n
Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks supported the override motion. She said DACA residents are a great asset to the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re spending millions of dollars to attract people to Nebraska to work and make our economy vibrant,\u201d she said, adding that LB947 will address crucial shortages in the state\u2019s workforce. \u201cWe are talking about the strength of our economy, our state and our moral fiber.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln also supported the motion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a heritage of cultural diversity that our state is founded upon,\u201d Campbell said. \u201cPlease do not deny these people the opportunity to be a part of that heritage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Opposing the motion, Omaha Sen. Beau McCoy said the country has a broken federal immigration system and it is not the state Legislature\u2019s responsibility to address it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not encouraging the federal government to address the situation [if we override] the governor today,\u201d McCoy said. \u201cIt only makes it easier for Congress to do nothing when state legislatures act as we\u2019re being encouraged to act today.\u201d<\/p>\n
To qualify for the federal DACA program residents must have:
\n\u2022 lived in the U.S. continuously since June 15, 2007;
\n\u2022 been no older than 31 as of June 15, 2012;
\n\u2022 entered the country prior to their 16th birthday;
\n\u2022 attended school, earned a diploma or general education certificate or been honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces; and
\n\u2022 not been convicted of a felony or significant misdemeanors.<\/p>\n
Any professional license granted under the bill will be rescinded if a person\u2019s lawful status is rescinded. LB947 also ensures that recipients are ineligible for public benefits other than a professional license.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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