The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Lincoln Independent Business Association, Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Pork Producers Association, and Nebraska Soybean Association, together voice our opposition to the proposed 2024 Southeast Community College budget and associated levy increase. …
A group comprised of local, state and federal policymakers, business leaders and members of the Lincoln community announced the next steps to making a downtown Lincoln convention center a reality at a press conference on Tuesday morning.…
The 2023 Legislative session wrapped up its 90-day session for the year two days early, concluding last Thursday, June 1.
Several pieces of legislation integral to the Chamber’s 2023 policy agenda were passed into law, many of which are important to our long-term Vitality Lincoln strategy. …
Read the Lincoln Chamber’s key Local policy objectives for 2025, here.
State Agenda
Read the Lincoln Chamber’s key State policy objectives for 2025, here.
Federal Agenda
Read the Lincoln Chamber’s key Federal policy objectives for 2025, here.
2025 City Wide Election - Candidate Questionnaires
All candidates running for these offices in 2025 are invited to complete the questionnaire for the office you are seeking and send them to kbohlmeyer@lcoc.com to be shared with our members.
City Council Questionnaire
Lincoln Airport Authority Questionnaire
Lincoln Public Schools Questionnaire
City Council Questionnaire
The city is a large and complex organization; tell us about your experience and how it has prepared you to successfully oversee city operations.
Lincoln is a growing and vibrant community with citizens engaged in varied interests and pursuits; how will you bring disparate groups together to build consensus? How will you set a standard for civility?
In 2019, voters approved an increase in the local option sales tax to help finance Lincoln’s streets infrastructure needs. Since then, the ¼ cent sales tax has raised over $85 million. Do you support the renewal of the ¼ cent sales tax for street improvements?
The Chamber’s position on affordable housing is that supply must be increased to maintain affordable housing in Lincoln. The Chamber believes investing in housing of all types (high density, single family, downtown, new growth, and an above all approach) will be most effective in keeping home prices affordable in Lincoln. As City Council members, how will you prioritize more supply of housing in Lincoln?
How can the City Council more effectively exercise oversight and accountability related to development services in the City of Lincoln. How can we get a “yes” attitude?
Even if Lincoln on the Move is renewed, Lincoln’s need for street and road infrastructure will grow. Some communities have utilized financing tools such as SIDs, while others have allocated a great portion of their general funds. As a City Council member, how would you support augmenting Lincoln’s total street investment?
One of the most important functions of the City Council is to review and approve the bi-annual budget and property tax rate. The Chamber recognizes the inherent difficulties of balancing needs and making smart investments, against funding available and concerns about property taxes collected from families and businesses. In the previous three fiscal years, the city budget has increased 6 ½% in 2024 midyear budget review, year one of this budget cycle will increase 8%, and then an additional 6% next year, according to the budget page on the city’s website. Do you consider this rate of growth to be sustainable and aligned with what Lincoln citizens and businesses support? As a City Council member, how will you work with the business community and property owners to limit the growth of the budget, and more specifically, property tax?
The city is a large and complex organization; tell us about your experience and how it has prepared you to successfully oversee airport operations.
Lincoln is a growing and vibrant community with citizens engaged in varied interests and pursuits; how will you bring disparate groups together to build consensus? How will you set a standard for civility?
How would you work to attract and retain airlines while keeping operational costs manageable for travelers and businesses?
What improvements or enhancements do you believe are most critical for the airport's success, and how would you advocate for these projects?
How would you ensure the transparent and responsible use of funds generated by the property tax levy, and what measures would you implement to demonstrate accountability to taxpayers?
Recently, the Lincoln Airport Authority passed a constitutional amendment to allow for the property tax collected to be used to develop or attract commercial airline services. How would you ensure these funds are used effectively to benefit the community and stimulate regional economic growth?
How do you plan to support the business industry that is already located within the airport? How would you balance this with consumer travel?
The LPS system is a large and complex organization; tell us about your experience and how it has prepared you to successfully oversee LPS operations.
Lincoln is a growing and vibrant community with citizens engaged in varied interests and pursuits; how will you bring disparate groups together to build consensus? How will you set a standard for civility?
One of the most important functions of the LPS board is to review and approve the annual budget and property tax rate. The Chamber recognizes the inherent difficulties of balancing needs and making smart investments, against funding available and concerns about property taxes collected from families and businesses. In the previous three fiscal years, the LPS budget has increased from $490,078,580 (2022-2023) to $539,189,965 (2024-2025) while total property tax collected has increased from approximately $230 million (2022-2023) to $250 million (2024-2025) according to the budget page on the LPS website. Do you consider this rate of growth to be sustainable and aligned with what Lincoln citizens and businesses support? As an LPS school board member, how will you work with the business community and property owners to limit the growth of the budget, and more specifically, property tax? How would you balance the needs of students, staff, and the business community when making decisions on the board?
What is your plan for fostering strong partnerships between the school district and local businesses, nonprofits, and higher education institutions?
The Lincoln Chamber encourages working together on the budget early and often. We believe governmental bodies should encourage public engagement and feedback to enhance accountability in the budgetary process. How would you envision working with the business community in advance and in a proactive way regarding the budget and other issues?