Nebraska Legislature Addressing Rural Issues
In the 2007 Nebraska Legislature, the Center for Rural Affairs has focused on legislation that will enhance economic opportunities in rural communities and will make existing programs work better for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and rural communities.
While legislative actions on the Center’s priorities are not complete, our priorities are receiving favorable treatment. That is due in large part because many of you who believe in the future of rural Nebraska, its people, and its communities, have become advocates for small business development, for new rural development strategies, and for real resources to make a difference. We thank you for all your efforts to build a strong and vibrant rural Nebraska.
As of April 18, here is the latest on the Center’s legislative priorities.
>> LB 177 would modify the Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Tax Credit by expanding the credit to the kind of non-capital expenses and investments incurred by most small businesses. The bill was adopted by the Legislature’s Revenue Committee and made a Priority Bill by the Speaker of the Legislature.
>> LB 232 would modify the Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA), a state grant program created by the Legislature in 2005 to provide funding to rural community collaborations to implement projects that support entrepreneurship, leadership development, youth engagement, and local philanthropy. The bill would make the BECA program work better for more communities and make these strategies available for more communities. The Legislature has adopted the bill, and it now awaits the signature of the Governor.
>> 2007 is when the Nebraska Legislature develops the two-year state budget. In a budget debate dominated by discussion of significant tax cuts and fiscal restraint, the Center for Rural Affairs has advocated increasing funding for the Nebraska Microenterprise Partnership Fund and for the BECA program. The Appropriations Committee has tentatively agreed to include in their budget recommendation to the full Legislature an increase in funding for the Microenterprise Partnership Fund to $1.5 million annually (from the current $500,000/year) and an increase for the BECA program to $500,000 annually (from the current $250,000/year).
>> Development of wind energy consistent with Nebraska’s public power status has gained significant attention as a rural development strategy in this year’s Legislature. The Center supports development of a community-based system to retain economic benefits in rural communities and in the state. LB 629 would create such a system and has been designated a Priority Bill.
For a free weekly email update on happenings in the Nebraska Legislature, subscribe to the Center’s Legislative Update by contacting Jon Bailey at jonb@cfra.org.
While legislative actions on the Center’s priorities are not complete, our priorities are receiving favorable treatment. That is due in large part because many of you who believe in the future of rural Nebraska, its people, and its communities, have become advocates for small business development, for new rural development strategies, and for real resources to make a difference. We thank you for all your efforts to build a strong and vibrant rural Nebraska.
As of April 18, here is the latest on the Center’s legislative priorities.
>> LB 177 would modify the Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Tax Credit by expanding the credit to the kind of non-capital expenses and investments incurred by most small businesses. The bill was adopted by the Legislature’s Revenue Committee and made a Priority Bill by the Speaker of the Legislature.
>> LB 232 would modify the Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA), a state grant program created by the Legislature in 2005 to provide funding to rural community collaborations to implement projects that support entrepreneurship, leadership development, youth engagement, and local philanthropy. The bill would make the BECA program work better for more communities and make these strategies available for more communities. The Legislature has adopted the bill, and it now awaits the signature of the Governor.
>> 2007 is when the Nebraska Legislature develops the two-year state budget. In a budget debate dominated by discussion of significant tax cuts and fiscal restraint, the Center for Rural Affairs has advocated increasing funding for the Nebraska Microenterprise Partnership Fund and for the BECA program. The Appropriations Committee has tentatively agreed to include in their budget recommendation to the full Legislature an increase in funding for the Microenterprise Partnership Fund to $1.5 million annually (from the current $500,000/year) and an increase for the BECA program to $500,000 annually (from the current $250,000/year).
>> Development of wind energy consistent with Nebraska’s public power status has gained significant attention as a rural development strategy in this year’s Legislature. The Center supports development of a community-based system to retain economic benefits in rural communities and in the state. LB 629 would create such a system and has been designated a Priority Bill.
For a free weekly email update on happenings in the Nebraska Legislature, subscribe to the Center’s Legislative Update by contacting Jon Bailey at jonb@cfra.org.
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