LINCOLN — Two members of Nebraska’s budget-setting committee are calling for more transparency on the state’s plan to convert the McCook Work Ethic Camp into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility.
State Senators Machaela Cavanaugh and Ashlei Spivey, both of Omaha, sent a letter to Appropriations Committee Chair Rob Clements of Elmwood urging a public briefing on the project. They argue that repurposing the McCook facility affects more than 180 inmates, impacts Nebraska’s already strained prison system, and could create long-term financial obligations for taxpayers.
The senators said requests for public records have been denied or heavily redacted, leaving lawmakers and the public in the dark. They want officials from multiple state agencies to provide details on costs, federal reimbursement rates, staffing needs, contracts, and the legal authority for converting the prison for federal use.
Clements, however, rejected the request. He told the Nebraska Examiner that the state budget is already set, that prison operations fall under the Department of Correctional Services, and that lawmakers will have another chance to review financial details during mid-biennium budget hearings next year. He also said the federal government is expected to reimburse Nebraska at rates higher than daily costs.
Spivey called the refusal disappointing, saying lawmakers have a constitutional duty to safeguard the state’s fiscal integrity. She argued that oversight and open discussion are essential, especially for projects with significant financial impact.
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