LINCOLN — An effort to end Nebraska’s ban on a federal food assistance program for drug felons is unlikely to pass this legislative session.
A filibuster defeated the measure during the second-round of debate.
Nebraska currently prohibits people using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if they were convicted of three felony drug possession charges or one felony distribution charge.
The bill was part of a larger effort to change Nebraska’s parole system. Supporters say the law was unenforceable and might hurt children who rely on felons for basic needs. On the other side, opponents worry about directly funding drug dealers.
18 other states have opted out of the federal law.
