Blog Post 1: The Importance of Social Justice

Current Social Justice Issues in State Legislation; LB 1067 One significant bill that has been under discussion in most recent Nebraska legislation sessions is  LB 1067 , introduced by Senator Clements. This bill proposes to eliminate the Nebraska inheritance tax over a phased period (2025-2028), enacted the State Prisoner Reimbursement Act, and allow counties to redirect up to 50% of funds from the County Visitors Promotion or Improvement Fund for broader county purposes. According to the legislative summary, “LB 1067 proposes to ‘eliminate the Nebraska inheritance tax; phase it out by 2028, and provide quarterly reimbursements to counties housing inmates awaiting transfer or probation” (Nebraska Legislature).  I support LB 1067 because the elimination of inheritance taxes could reduce financial stress majorly for middle and lower income families that are inheriting assets. Which overall promotes equity in taxation. Additionally, the reimbursement provision would help countie...

 Religious diversity in the U.S is evolving, with Christianity still dominant (63%) but a rising number of people identifying as religiously unaffiliated (29%). Non-Christian faiths like Islam and Hinduism are also growing, with Muslims projected to become the second-largest religious group by 2050. All of which highlights the importance of cultural humility in professional settings (Pew Research Center, 2021). In healthcare, it is important to understand and respect patients’ spiritual beliefs. Spirituality can provide strength and resilience, yet it can also create barriers, for example when religious convictions conflict with medical treatments. Hode (2015) emphasizes how spirituality shapes interpretations of suffering and healing, while Dr. Canada noted that holistic care involves respecting beliefs and addressing patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. On a personal level, my desire to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant stems from values like empathy and com...

  Did the  30 Days  video influence your views regarding undocumented immigrants or immigration policy in any way?   I found that watching this video led me to the realization that I have not previously put much thought into what my stance on immigration policy is. So, I suppose in that sense it sparked thought and reflection in me about people I knew and know are going through similar experiences, and my stance on these situations. Many people, including Frank in the 30 Days video, make the argument that "We are a nation of laws...and they're breaking the law" (and therefore should be sent back to Mexico).  Do you agree? --If so, why? --If not, how might you respond to this argument?   I fall somewhere in between the enforcement approach and the legalization approach. Therefore, I more so would disagree with the statement above. I believe that the balance of combining stronger border control with a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. It is a stance t...