When Congress returns to work and Nebraska lawmakers prepare for the 2026 legislative session in January, there are few issues that garner as much bipartisan support on the federal or state level as child care.

New data from research conducted in four states, including Nebraska, shows something that may surprise many: Nebraskans share more common ground than our divisions often suggest.

Almost three-quarters of Nebraska voters believe families with young children are struggling a lot in this economy, and 60% say the government is doing too little to help. The vast majority, across the political spectrum, support programs that help children and families and don’t want to see them cut.

At the center of this agreement is one of our state’s deepest values: children and families. Nebraskans believe that supporting families with young children is essential to the strength of our communities and the future of our state.

Shared Values, Shared Solutions

Families are facing the ever-rising costs of groceries, housing, health care and child care. Nearly half of Nebraska voters (44%) say they are personally concerned about the cost of child care. And more than three-quarters (78%) agree government should make it easier for families to get the help they need, noting that Nebraska’s income thresholds to qualify for assistance are too low.

When asked what matters most, voters consistently point to flexibility and choice, recognizing that different families need different supports to thrive. That’s why proposals like expanded assistance for working parents resonate so strongly. Nebraskans value accountability, but we also value fairness. We don’t want to cut off families who are already working hard. We want to help them succeed. People respect independence while acknowledging reality: families need more support, not more red tape.

Moving Beyond The Divides

Too often, policy debates become bogged down in arguments that lose sight of what makes our state the Good Life and keeps our communities strong. Nebraskans are clear: they don’t want new barriers that punish families. They want their elected officials to keep their eyes on the bigger picture.

The truth is simple: When parents lose child care or can’t afford food or health care, children pay the price. And Nebraskans agree that’s unacceptable.

A Moment To Lead

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer recently reintroduced the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2025, a bill that strengthens parental choice, supports Nebraska’s child care workforce and invests in the supply of high-quality options for families. Her leadership shows what’s possible when we focus on practical solutions that help parents succeed at work and at home.

As our congressional delegation and state lawmakers return to the people’s work, they should take note of this consensus. Supporting families with children is a Nebraska value. If federal progress is made while state leaders roll back assistance for child care in Nebraska, it sends a mixed message to families. We should work together to ensure that child care remains strong at both the national and state level.

Families raising the next generation of Nebraskans deserve no less.

Elizabeth Everett is deputy director and public policy manager for First Five Nebraska. This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/10/30/what-unites-nebraskans-supporting-children-and-families/

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