Bill requiring Ricketts to apply for more rental assistance passes, but it may be too late

The deadline to apply is fast approaching, and the governor can wait five days before vetoing the bill

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Legislature passed a bill Wednesday requiring Gov. Pete Ricketts to apply for emergency rental assistance.

Ricketts has said in the past that he didn’t want to apply for more money, as Nebraskans have not used the first round of money provided.

Others have shared stories of the need for this assistance program to not become homeless.

The bill did not pass with an emergency clause, so it will not take effect immediately even if the governor does approve it.

“When the emergency clause failed, this will go into effect 90 days after the session,” Sen. Justin Wayne said. “Then the governor will be required to apply for it.”

Ricketts has five days to veto this bill, and if he does, then the Legislature has three days to override the veto.

Senators would need 30 votes to override the veto. Today, they had only 26 yes votes.

The federal government has a deadline of Monday for this request to be submitted.

Channel 8 reached out to the Governor’s Office and received this response: “The Governor typically takes his full five days to review bills before they return to the legislature.”