Nebraska Legislature advances bill that weakens voter-approved minimum wage initiative

LINCOLN, NE – The Nebraska Legislature advanced LB258, introduced by Senator Jane Raybould, which would significantly undermine Initiative 433, a ballot measure that Nebrakans strongly supported in November 2022. This bill carves out a subminimum wage for youth workers and weakens the annual cost of living adjustments that would start in 2027.

The Raise the Wage Nebraska coalition issued the following statement:

"We are very discouraged by the Nebraska Legislature, once again, standing in direct opposition to the will of the majority of Nebraska voters. 

In November 2022, nearly 60% of Nebraska voters spoke with a clear voice: they firmly supported the common sense policy to raise the wage for all Nebraskans, regardless of age, and to carve out automatic cost of living increases so that working Nebraskans could earn a fair wage and meet their needs. Without these adjustments, Nebraskans’ wages would once again fall behind the increasing costs of living.

A higher minimum wage that keeps pace with the cost of living will continue to help working Nebraskans, families, communities, and our economy thrive.

We want to thank the 17 senators who opposed the bill, and call upon all state senators to respect the will of Nebraska voters and vote NO on LB258 moving forward."

The Raise the Wage Nebraska coalition includes the following members:

ACLU of Nebraska 
Centro Hispano
Heartland Workers Center
Nebraska State AFL-CIO
Nebraska Appleseed
Nebraska Appleseed Action Fund
Nebraska Civic Engagement Table
OutNebraska
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska
Second House Collaborative
The Women’s Fund of Omaha
Voices for Children in Nebraska
YWCA Grand Island