Nebraska Democratic Party: Senators Criticize Heineman Over Beatrice Violations

Senators Criticize Heineman Over Beatrice Violations

Mar 10, 03:33 PM CST

Governor Heineman’s lack of leadership was a major topic of discussion on the floor of the legislature today. JoAnne Young has the story:

A number of senators – mostly Democrats – took on Gov. Dave Heineman and the state Department of Health and Human Services Monday over the latest violations at the Beatrice State Developmental Center…

Omaha Sen. Tom White characterized it as not just a moral crisis but a fiscal crisis…

A significant part of the problem is the way the state treats people who work there, (Sen. Steve) Lathrop said, referring to low pay and forced overtime. The Legislature needs to do something about the problem and not wait for the administration, he said…

“Our measure of success at the end of the session will be whether we have taken care of those entrusted to our care,” he said…

Beatrice is an extreme example of what is happening across the state with funding for community services for the developmentally disabled, said Sen. Annette Dubas of Fullerton.

“Community services are struggling,” she said, without adequate funding and staffing.

These are jobs with responsibility, and these types of jobs aren’t held in high esteem, Dubas said. Agencies are not willing to provide these workers with the compensation they deserve.

Money is always an issue, she said, but senators must ask where their priorities are. (emphasis added)

Senators have to ask where their priorities are, because the Governor clearly has no intention of solving the problem.

– by Eric Van Horn | Send this to a friend

THIS IS THE VERY REASON WHY WE NEED DEMOCRATICS IN OFFICE, I’M SO SICK OF SEEING PROGRAMS PUT ON THE BACK BURNERS, I HAVE A SON WITH DISABILITIES, AND IN ORDER TO GET HIM THE HELP HE NEEDED I HAD TO GIVE UP CUSTODY TO THE STATE, WHY DO PARENTS HAVE TO DO THAT IN ORDER TO GET OUR CHILDREN HELP.
— Cheryl Larreau Mar 11, 01:21 PM CST #