FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 20, 2009

OMAHA, NE -- As the 2009 Nebraska legislative session ended, Senator Heath Mello (District 5, Omaha/Bellevue) introduced Legislative Resolution 175, a resolution that called for an interim study to examine ways increase financial literacy in Nebraska through financial education courses.

In these uncertain economic times, its in our best interest to ensure Nebraskans have the financial education to make the best personal financial decisions for themselves and their families, said Senator Mello. LR 175 is a first step to examine the role financial literacy has in our daily lives as well as what role it has our education system.

A key aspect of LR 175 is the analysis of options for requiring instruction on financial literacy in Nebraskas elementary and high school courses.

Financial education is an important issue that we must look to address at a statewide level, but we must do it without imposing any unfunded mandates on the local school districts, Mello said. With the changing economy, we must find ways to equip all Nebraskans, preferably in our K-12 system, with the tools they need to make smart financial decisions. Too many students graduate without an understanding of how credit cards work or how different types of loans affect their mortgage payments.

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