Pillen vetoes bill expanding SNAP benefits for felons, override attempt likely

The Nebraska Legislature passed a bill Wednesday that would expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit eligibility to around 1,000 new Nebraskans convicted of felonies.

Soon after, however, Gov. Jim Pillen vetoed the bill. In his veto letter, Pillen wrote that he was concerned about potential loopholes allowing offenders with three or more felony convictions to avoid substance abuse treatment.

“Individuals that distribute or sell illicit drugs should not be entitled to taxpayer-funded benefits,” he wrote. “And illegal drug users should be required to complete treatment before they receive their third felony conviction.”

Under federal law, anyone convicted of a felony for possession, use or distribution of drugs receives a lifetime ban on SNAP benefits, unless a state law provides exceptions. Currently, Nebraska provides an exception for those with two or fewer felonies for drug use and possession, but those with drug distribution felonies remain banned.

The bill, LB319, introduced by Sen. Victor Rountree, would allow all Nebraskans convicted of felonies to receive federal food stamps once they have completed their sentences.

“This bill was largely supported by our religious community, by our law enforcement community,” Rountree said. “Our law enforcement felt that this was a tremendous opportunity to help them restore in their dignity, and they were looking at having food security, not only for the members, but in their families as well, that would help to mitigate bad occurrences of interactions with their law enforcement officers and help to curb recidivism.”

Rountree filed a motion to override the veto from Pillen and said it didn’t come as a surprise.

The bill received 32 votes on final reading, and 30 votes are required to override a governor’s veto. Rountree was seen walking around Thursday carrying a blue vote card, tallying votes for his attempted veto override. He declined to share the results and said the situation is “fluid.”

“I’ll just continue to reach out to our senators and see how they feel about the veto, and we'll see where we are when we get the bill scheduled,” he said.

A vote to override the veto is expected Monday.

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