BEATRICE – The just-completed Nebraska Legislative session may go down as one of the most contentious ever, because of differences on culture issues.
But the head of a statewide business organization says it may also be the best session ever, from a business and economic standpoint.


"If you were just watching TV, you might have thought that nothing was getting done...but I could argue that it was the best session in history in terms of economic development, growth and taxes....but certainly the largest tax cut in our history. There was money for career technical education...there were a lot of different bills that passed, over 200 bills that passed. Most important, that 3.9-percent income tax rate, finally, for the first time in my life...puts us as one of the lower tax states in the country."


President of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bryan Slone says data shows most people move from one state to another because of available jobs….and those tend to follow low tax rates.


The Nebraska State Chamber has kicked off a series of meetings across the state to get input about what Nebraska needs, to further improve economic conditions. A session was held Tuesday, at the Veterans Club in Beatrice… attended by about fifteen people….State Senator Myron Dorn, of Adams, among them. Slone says the tax cut package approved by lawmakers has largely been paid out of excess reserves.


"Our economy is as strong as I've ever seen it, in Nebraska. We had two billion of excess reserves in Nebraska when Pillen became Governor. And so, the bulk of this is coming out of those reserves....and so there is still a very substantial rainy day fund in Nebraska to cover ups and downs in the economy. I don't think there's much of a risk here, even with a slight recession. What's really important is the way you lower taxes is you just make sure you keep spending, under economic growth."


Slone says Nebraska isn’t without its challenges….and big ones suggested at the Beatrice meeting were adequate workforce, housing and available childcare….and….how do you get young people to stay in Nebraska….or attract people back to the state.  "We have one of the highest labor participation rates in the country. We have more two-spouse earners than almost any other state in the country, per capita. Which means, childcare is as important here, as it is anywhere in the country. Finding solutions to affordable childcare is key to growing our economy."


The State Chamber President says the issue of attracting young families to live in the state must be a five-year focus for lawmakers and communities.
The State Chamber will hold summer sessions across Nebraska through late August….the next one in Milford at Southeast Community College, June 20th.