Chamber Statement of Support for LB1165

The following is a statement from Lincoln Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Jason Ball, regarding the Lincoln Chamber’s support of LB1165, a bill that will go before the Nebraska Legislature’s Revenue Committee on Wednesday afternoon (February 25, 2026).

“This competition for primary jobs and investment must be prioritized if we are to continue to grow Nebraska. All Nebraska benefits when our state takes seriously the competition for base, primary jobs,” says Ball.

“The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce will proudly support LB1165, a legislative bill offered by Senator Brad von Gillern at the request of Governor Jim Pillen. One of the important benefits of LB1165 is retaining (and gaining) jobs resulting from the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads through making enhancements to performance-based incentives under the Key Employer Retention Act,” adds Ball.

“There are more benefits to LB1165, however. This package will make the state more competitive for other economic development projects. This legislation also will secure improvements to the Quality Jobs Act and for Manufacturing Growth and Expansion that are broadly applicable across the state, and here in Lincoln,” Ball concludes.