We must have been doing something right, because the opposition to the Equal Employment Ordinance (EEO) got desperate. On a local level, a tactic was orchestrated to eradicate any chance of the EEO getting passed in Omaha. Nebraska State Senator Beau McCoy introduced Legislative Bill 912 on January 10th, 2012.
The bill would essentially invalidate Nebraska cities' choice to introduce ordinances that would be different from the state's current anti-discrimination policy - the state does not recognize the LGBT community as a protected class. Sen. McCoy claims his bill promotes equality, "people in one city deserve the same protection under the law as those working in another city. The senator says Nebraska has a history of creating consistent standards." - from the Lincoln Journal Star. While this is a logical claim, this is not the reason Sen. McCoy introduced the bill when he did and he has made no mention of adding the LGBT community to Nebraska's list of protected classes. This, of course, would be truly equal protection under the law.
Make no mistake about it; this bill is in direct response to the successful efforts in Omaha to create a fair and equal work environment.
So, what can we do? We can kill this bill before it ever reaches the floor of the legislature, and then we can get back to the task at hand of passing the Equal Employment Ordinance.
The bill must pass through the Judiciary Committee to be voted on by the legislature. Let's make certain that doesn't happen. Below are the eight state senators that make up this committee. CONTACT THEM - email, call, in person, written letter, telegraph, carrier pigeon... Tell them not to intrude on a city's right to decide for itself what is right for its citizens. Tell them that you support local control and do not wish for the state legislature to interfere with our ongoing efforts to make Omaha a fair and equal place to live and work!
Get to it!
Brad Ashford (Chair) 402-471-2622 - bashford@leg.ne.gov
Colby Coash 402-471-2632 - ccoash@leg.ne.gov
Brenda Council 402-471-2612 - bcouncil@leg.ne.gov
Burke Harr 402-471-2722 - bharr@leg.ne.gov
Tyson Larson 402-471-2801 - tlarson@leg.ne.gov
Steve Lathrop 402-471-2623 - slathrop@leg.ne.gov
Scott Lautenbaugh 402-471-2618 - slautenbaugh@leg.ne.gov
Amanda McGill 402-471-2610 - amcgill@leg.ne.gov
Or, EMAIL all eight senators at once!
Feel free to check out Equal Omaha, as we still need to continue to contact the Omaha City Council - but know, the game plan has changed, so the date of the introduction to the Omaha City Council of the EEO will be moved back. Stay tuned. Stay informed. Stay engaged.
