Nelson continues worthy crusade for Nebraska

Gov. Ben Nelson worked hard to improve Nebraska's rising cost in social services and Medicaid during his two terms in office.

He is continuing that crusade in his job as U.S. Senator.

On May 23, Nelson and Susan Collins of Maine introduced a non-partisan bill that would increase the federal government's contribution to Medicaid. That increased contribution, $7 billion nationally, would free up monies for states to spend in other critical services. The bill also includes a temporary block grant for states that would help them pay for the rising demand in social services resulting from the economic downturn.

Nebraska's share of that $7 billion would be around $50 million over a period of 18 months. That's a big chunk of money for a state which continues to be plagued by falling revenues.

While the nation's economy appears to be slowly recovering from the recession state budgets will take at least 12-18 months to recover.

That's another year to year and a half months of states struggling to determine which programs should suffer cut backs, which programs should be fully funded and which programs should be cut completely. That is a hard decision for any lawmaker to make.

The $50 million coming to Nebraska could free up monies for other programs where serious cuts have already been made.

The bill appears to be gaining support from a broad spectrum of U.S. Senators and the nation's governors.

"Recent numbers show Nebraska's unemployment levels at their highest in 15 years. Tax receipts this year will be less than the previous year's receipts for only the second time in Nebraska's history," said Nelson. "With these economic factors, the state will welcome any assistance."

And he's right. As citizens of this state, we will welcome any help we can get.

It is our hope that, if the legislation is passed, state lawmakers will take the money received and use the benefits of its receipt in a sensible, frugal manner.

It could be a long time before we get a gift like this dropped into our lap again.