On Saturday, July 20, I sent
the following e-mail to Governor Dave Heineman and Senator Brad Ashford, architects
and staunch supporters of Nebraska’s “excessive absenteeism” law.
Gov.
Heineman and Senator Ashford,
I
am forwarding you a letter I sent this morning to Sen. Ken Schilz of Ogallala
in regard to one of his young constituents.
This
is how your "excessive absenteeism" law really works.
The Maynards' story is not an isolated incident; I have been wallowing in
these stories of abuse and families' pleas for help for the past year, since I
took over as director of the Nebraska Family Forum.
You
both claim that this was never the intent of your law. So my question
is: What are you going to do about it?
Brenda
Vosik
Director,
Nebraska Family Forum
The letter attached to the
e-mail, addressed to the Maynards’ state senator Ken Schilz, detailed the
outrageous charges filed against Lucas Maynard, a 12-year-old child whose only “crime”
was staying home with his mother when he was sick.
Gov. Heineman and Sen.
Ashford are both self-proclaimed supporters of families so I am certain they
are appalled by the way their law is being abused. My guess is that they will be spurred to
action and rush to protect this young Nebraskan, perhaps even call the Deuel
County Attorney and explain that their law was never meant to be used this way.
I’m expecting a response from
both of them any minute, letting me know what action they’ve taken. I will share those responses with the NFF
membership as soon as I receive them.
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