Nebraska Family Alliance launched a “Let Us Vote” campaign in an effort to get the Lincoln City Council to rescind the Fairness Ordinance that was passed on Monday, February 14th.
Policy Director Nate Grasz tells KLIN News, “We believe the City of Lincoln is one of the best places to work, live and raise a family. We believe that every person should be treated with dignity and respect and everyone should be treated fairly. The problem with the Fairness Ordinance is that the way it is drafted it is fair for virtually no one. We have launched a referendum petition drive to require the City Council to rescind the ordinance or put it on the ballot for a vote of the people. That is our message to “Let Us Vote”
Grasz says this is an issue that the citizens of Lincoln spoke on 10 years ago. In 2012, the City Council passed a Fairness Ordinance. A petition effort then passed requiring the issue to be rescinded or be put to a vote. That didn’t happen and the ordnance sat idle. The same thing happened this week and Nebraska Family Alliance wants the issue put back into the hands of the people.
According to the Lincoln City Charter, stipulates that if 4% of participating voters from the last gubernatorial election sign a referendum petition during the 16 days after the final passage of a city ordinance, the ordinance is unenforceable and must be rescinded or placed on a ballot.
Nebraska Family Alliance organized training sessions and over 260 volunteers are circulating petitions across the city. They must collect 4,137 signatures by February 28th.
Nebraska Family Alliance is working with a diverse coalition of churches and pastors, business owners, community leaders, private schools, and concerned parents to call for a vote on this issue. Those wanting to sign the petition can do so at Nebraska Family Alliance located at 1106 E Street in Lincoln or visit nebraskafamilyalliance.org for details.