From The Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce:  MARCH 11, 2010

Attend Small Business Day At The Capitol, March 16

If you are a small business owner or have small business interests, consider spending a morning at the State Capitol on Tuesday, March 16, to learn about the legislative issues that could impact Nebraska small businesses.  The Small Business Day at the Capitol will feature State Chamber President Barry Kennedy and NFIB State Director Bob Hallstrom, who will provide insider information on key issues and bills before the Legislature.  This is your opportunity to inquire about the important issues – including workers’ compensation, roads funding, union service fees, regulations, unemployment insurance and taxes.  Highlights will include a visit from Gov. Dave Heineman and legislative leaders.  The event is presented by the NFIB/Nebraska, the State Chamber, the Lincoln and Omaha Chambers of Commerce, and the Lincoln Independent Business Association.  Cost is $15, which covers materials and lunch.  For more information or to register, call (402) 474-3570 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

'Survey: Spring quarter looks good for Nebraska’s job picture'

(Nebraska Radio Network) -- NebraskaRadioNetwork.com reports that a new survey of Nebraska employers "finds an improving job picture for the upcoming quarter."  Manpower Incorporated says "April, May and June look promising, especially in Nebraska’s largest cities."  About 11% of employers surveyed plan to increase staff in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area, according to the story, while Lincoln is called "the 'shining star of the Midwest' as 22% of employers plan to add to their staffs," according to the story.  For much of Nebraska, "job prospects look best in the manufacturing sector, transportation and utilities, information and financial services. For the full story on the Manpower Inc. survey, go to <http://nebraskaradionetwork.com/2010/03/09/survey-spring-quarter-looks-good-for-states-job-picture/>

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'Neb. senators override governor’s veto on bill to raise alcohol shipping fee'

(Lincoln Journal Star) -- JournalStar.com report that on Tuesday, the Legislature "voted 38-9 to override Gov. Dave Heineman's veto of a bill (LB867) increasing the shipping fee for the 629 manufacturers who ship beer and spirits to wholesalers in the state."  According to the article, the governor "said raising the shippers fee from $200 to $1,000 would make it one of the highest in the nation and create an undue burden on small businesses that ship into the state." See more at <http://journalstar.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_1137b550-2bbe-11df-857a-001cc4c03286.html>

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'Neb. lawmakers advance measure to end state treasurer office'

(Omaha World-Herald) - Omaha.com reports that Nebraska lawmakers on Tuesday voted 37-6 to give first-round approval "to a proposed constitutional amendment (LR284CA) that would abolish the office of the State Treasurer."  If the bill is approved two more times, the measure "would go before voters in the November election," according to the story.  If approved by the voters, the elected treasurer's position would end on Jan. 8, 2015, "the end of the term for the person to be elected this fall."  See more at <http://www.omaha.com/article/20100309/NEWS01/100309528/0/search#end-to-state-treasurer-advances>

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'Committee members agree to 2% cut for most state agencies'

(Lincoln Journal Star) -- JournalStar.com reports that the Legislature's Appropriations Committee gave its "approval Tuesday to an additional 2% cut to most state agencies next year, but they decided against taking $2 million back from the University of Nebraska."  The action was necessary due to a "$15 million increase in spending for K-12 schools," according to the story. The committee also had to borrow $3 million from the state's $325 million cash reserve to balance the budget, the story notes.  See more at <http://journalstar.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_f4666866-2be2-11df-bdbe-001cc4c03286.html>

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'Senator says proposed gas tax won't fly'

(York News-Times) — Yorknewstimes.com reports that York Senator Greg Adams "says a proposed additional five-cent gas tax 'won’t go anywhere.'"  Senator Adams was talking about LB796, which would boost the state's fuel tax by a nickel until "the completion of the state expressway system."  The bill's supporters say "the bill would generate $60 million in revenues annually."  The York News-Times notes that Senator Adams, a member of the Legislature's Revenue Committee, said that while raising the gas tax is an issue, "there’s also the issue of how to prioritize what gets built first." See the article at <http://www.yorknewstimes.com/articles/2010/03/09/news/doc4b95b2e6c62e8939915728.txt>

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'Report:  Nebraska auto dealers being reinstated, including Aurora, Seward, Kearney and Scottsbluff dealers'

(AP/KRVN.com) -- According to the AP, General Motors "is reinstating several Nebraska car dealers, but the company is not releasing a list of the dealers so it's not clear how many will be included."  The story notes that "the reinstated dealers are being notified this week," and that "officials with Meyer Automotive in Seward, Midway Chevrolet in Kearney, Advantage Chevrolet in Aurora and Reganis Auto Center in Scottsbluff say their dealerships are being reinstated."  See more at <http://www.krvn.com/news/index/b3768513-1550-4b97-af0b-e567361471da>

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'Gibbon turkey plant announcement delayed until Friday'

(Lincoln Journal Star) -- JournalStar.com reports, "An announcement that had been expected Tuesday on the future of the former Norbest turkey-processing plant at Gibbon has been delayed until at least Friday, according to Gibbon City Administrator Chris Rector."  According to the story, "documents on file at the Buffalo County courthouse show that a new company called Midwest Meat Packing Facility LLC has purchased the shuttered plant." <http://journalstar.com/business/local/article_63708372-2bc5-11df-865f-001cc4c03286.html>

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'Private Sector Works:  Two Neb. health systems aim to improve health care service, costs'

(AP/KRVN.com) -- According to the AP, two Nebraska health systems "have joined forces to reduce patient costs and improve health care," forming the Accountable Care Alliance.  The partnership between Methodist Health System and the Nebraska Medical Center will feature a board of directors and will work "to increase communication between doctors and hospitals, reduce duplication of services, limit unnecessary tests and better manage transitions from hospital to home." See the full article at <http://www.krvn.com/news/index/1d875f98-137d-47b5-b283-d661a9c9be44>

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OPINION: 'Nebraska enjoys advantages of cheap coal power'

(McCook Daily Gazette) -- In an editorial posted at McCookGazette.com, the McCook newspaper writes that "a new government report shows that Nebraska can thank one of the oldest sources for the cheap price we pay for power in this state."  The editorial states: "Nebraska ratepayers, who depend mostly on coal-powered plants like Gerald Gentleman Station near Sutherland, pay an average of 6.58 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity. ... That means it costs 6.58 cents to run a 1,000-watt space heater for an hour in Nebraska," while the "same heat costs the average American nearly a dime."  The editorial recognizes that "some environmentalists say there's no such thing as 'clean coal,'" but notes that "major strides have been made in technologies to reduce pollution from coal-fired power plants over recent years."  The editorial concludes: "(T)he continued availability of cheap, reliable power from coal is an important tool in the effort to revive and expand Nebraska's economy."  See more at <http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1616656.html>