BEATRICE – For several years, the Nebraska Community Colleges Association has served as the legislative lobbying arm for community colleges.
But some Southeast Community College board members and administrators are considering the possibility of hiring their own lobbyist…dissatisfied with NCCA representation.


It was a trying year for SCC, which drew the ire of a group of state lawmakers when the college proposed to increase its property tax rate as a hedge against adverse transitional effects from a new state funding scenario that starts next year. Community colleges will lose their ability to levy property taxes for general operations.


Ultimately, SCC kept their tax rate steady….but College Board Chairman Neal Stenberg says it has the school pondering options when it comes to legislative influence.


"The last legislative session was a very unusual circumstance for community colleges....and everybody had some fear about what does this mean for us. How are we going to finance the programs, provide for thet needs of students...keep tuition low...be an engine for economic development and serve business and industry. You can see that....a little bit....slipping away...and so I think it did divide the colleges."  Stenberg says it can weaken community colleges collectively if they all have separate voices speaking for them.


In December, the SCC Board will consider making a $73,000 annual membership payment to the NCCA. College Board member Kathy Boellstorff questions whether that amount is appropriate.


"I'm not saying we need to jump ship...because I think there is value in being a part of that...but I think the role and responsibilities of NCCA as a lobbying interest, does not serve us well. I do not think that they serves us well, at all....this last year."


SCC Board members Chuck Byers and Dr. Kristin Yates are college representatives on the NCCA Board of Directors. There is some feeling among board members to renew membership with NCCA for another year and evaluate the situation…..perhaps not closing the door to hiring separate lobbying help.

Stenberg said, "I would support a lobbyist for this year. I would also support continued membership in NCCA and see how it works and sort it out. If NCCA poses the same problems in the next year that they have this year....then I think we have to reconsider our relationship, then."


The annual membership payment to the Nebraska Community Colleges Association is due at the end of December. Beginning in January, community colleges will receive state funding…not property tax revenue…for general operations. But they retain a two-cent capital construction levy funded by property taxes.