Wins for Wind and Renewable Energy in Nebraska
In 2013, we were able to work with our client, The Wind Coalition successfully with the passage of LB 104. LB 104 put wind energy on an even field with many other industries and investments in Nebraska, by adding renewable energy projects to the Nebraska Advantage Act. This eligibility removes the investment barrier of sales […]
Governor Support for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
LB276, introduced by Senator Anna Wishart on behalf of the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations, gained strong support from Governor Pillen, who testified at the public hearing and after 2 ½ years of hard work, the legislature unanimously approved the bill and Governor Pillen signed it on May 25, 2023. LB 276 defines Certified […]
Eliminating taxes for aging Nebraskans
American Communications Group worked with our client, AARP, to eliminate the state income tax on social security benefits. This was a major win for older Nebraskans. The advocacy work continued and in 2023 to speed up the effective date of the Social Security tax exemption and this tax will now be completely phased out by […]
Win for Families with Youth Transitioning to Adulthood
In 2021, to pass legislation that would require school districts to consistently implement working with families on transitional planning for youth at age 14 who have been diagnosed with a developmental disability. Before this law, Nebraska required the age to be set at 16, which many families believed was far too late as they prepared […]
CHIP Legislation Success Story
In 2009, we successfully worked with our client, the Nebraska Child Health and Education Alliance, to pass LB 136, which made necessary improvements to Nebraska’s Kids Connection program. This legislation raised eligibility for Kids Connection to 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), providing health care to 5,400 low-income children in Nebraska. LB 136 also […]
Microenterprise Tax Credit Success Story
The Center for Rural Affairs located in Lyons, Nebraska is a leading national rural economic development research center that develops strategic, effective business and policy endeavors that seek to promote economic opportunity for all rural residents. Very early on in their work they discovered that the predominate successful rural economic development jobs program in rural […]
Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act
In 2008, American Communications Group worked with a large coalition of healthcare groups, public health entities, and business groups to pass the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act. The purpose of the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act has been to protect the health of all Nebraska residents and visitors by prohibiting smoking in public places and […]
American Rescue Plan Act 2021
In 2022, the legislature appropriated over $1B of federal pandemic recovery act dollars and we successfully worked with key clients, including the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands, to ensure dollars were focused on the most important priorities: health care, workforce expansion, food security, affordable housing and child care.
Historic Increase in Behavioral Health Rates
In 2022, with our client the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations, we led advocacy efforts to increase mental health and substance use treatment rates paid through Medicaid and other state programs. The Appropriations Committee and legislature agreed, and providers received a 15% rate increase, after many years of advocacy to build capacity in the […]
New Grant Program directs $17.5M to Food Banks
In 2022, ACG, Inc. represented the two food banks in Nebraska, Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha and the Lincoln Food of Bank, working to get funding for much needed food to be distributed to churches and pantries all across the state. This appropriation of $17.5M in federal ARPA dollars was a first for […]