The Lincoln Chamber’s key legislative objectives for 2008:
ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce will work to protect the HWY Trust Fund and will support proposals that increase state funding allocations for road infrastructure needs. The Lincoln Chamber believes there is a significant funding gap for road infrastructure needs across the state. The Lincoln Chamber believes state road funds distributed to counties and municipalities should be directed for use on street and road construction projects only. The Lincoln Chamber supports a review of the factors utilized in the allocation formula for distributing road funds and will support efforts to more equitably distribute funds to areas of growing population and infrastructure needs. The Lincoln Chamber will continue to support expanded options for local financing tools, such as expanded local option sales tax authority for transportation development districts.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Lincoln Chamber will support proposals that facilitate the LPED strategic plan for the Lincoln region and proposals that grow and maintain jobs across the state. The Lincoln Chamber will work cooperatively with the University of Nebraska,
2015 Vision and other organizations to support proposals that: 1) facilitate building a private/public Innovation Campus to capitalize on university research and opportunities for technology transfer; 2) maintain and enhance job training funds; 3) improve the competitiveness of state job/investment incentives; 4) reduce the costs of job creation; and, 5) promote regional economic growth.
CVB AND EVENT FACILITIES NEEDS The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce will place particular emphasis on supporting legislative proposals that assist the Convention and Visitors Bureau in executing its mission of bringing more visitors, events, and conventions to the Lincoln area. The Lincoln Chamber specifically supports amending the Convention Center and Sports Arena Facilities Assistance Act to allow both private and public hotel investment to turn-back financial assistance to local communities adding entertainment and tourist attractions, such as Lincoln’s new multi-use event facility in the West Haymarket.
TAX RELIEF The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce continues to support lowering the burden of state taxes and ensuring tax relief does not simply shift tax burdens. In keeping with our core statements of policy, the Lincoln Chamber will support proposals that: 1) help keep more capital in the private sector economy; 2) help maintain and grow business operations, and; 3) help Nebraska become more competitive and able to expand jobs and investment to grow our economy. The Lincoln Chamber supports targeted income tax relief to help keep jobs and people in Nebraska.
STATE BUDGET PRIORITIES The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce will support:
1) incentives to encourage government mergers and consolidations at all levels; 2) eliminating duplication of services, and; 3) performance audits to determine the effectiveness of programs. Spending decisions also must be prioritized in order for sustainable state tax relief to be possible. Key assets for economic growth, such as funding for roads and the University of Nebraska, should be maintained and even enhanced in the areas of excellence that bolster private sector economic activity.
Unanimously Adopted by Board of Directors, January 10, 2008
