Nebraska’s economy called not as dire

Omaha.com reports that “Nebraska will face challenges as its economy recovers, but the situation won’t be as dire as that facing many other states, according to the Nebraska Business Forecast Council.”

“Nebraska will benefit from relatively strong key industries, including agriculture, and stable property values,” said Eric Thompson, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln economist who helped write the report.

The story notes that “the forecasters expect that the U.S. economy will begin to grow before the end of 2009,” and “in 2010, the economists expect solid job and income growth, with farm incomes stable and above average.”

Nebraska county named best rural place to live in America

AOL’s personal and consumer finance web site has announced that Hamilton County, Nebraska was selected by the site’s editors as the best rural community to live in the United States.

The site says Hamilton County is a place “where small-town memories grow and people work together to get things done.”

China Sending Jobs to Central City, NE

Two businesses are teaming up to bring jobs from China to Nebraska following a ribbon cutting held last week in Central City.  According to the story, “Sunheat Zone Heating Products announced they’ll move cabinet production from overseas back to Nebraska. The collaboration shows just how strong Nebraska’s economy is, according to Governor Dave Heineman.”

For the full story, go to http://www.kolnkgin.com/home/headlines/49634937.html

North Dakota and Nebraska Ranked as the Least Stressed States

The AP reports that “California, Michigan and South Carolina suffered the most financial pain in May as unemployment, home foreclosures and bankruptcies rose,” while “North Dakota and Nebraska” were the least stressed states.”  “Both states also fared the best over the past year,” the story notes, adding “Nebraska has benefited from the relative strength of two of its main industries: agriculture and food-production.”

See the story at http://www.omaha.com/article/20090706/MONEY/707069926

Nebraska bill takes aim at gas station scams, includes vague language

In their “Around the Rotunda” column, Lincoln Journal Star reporters Nancy Hicks and JoAnne Young write that “Attorney General Jon Bruning may soon have a new tool to stop gas stations from advertising a very low, enticing price for fuel on a big sign, then offering that fuel at only one pump.”  According to the column, “language about deceptive advertising is part of a bill (LB155) now headed toward final reading and passage.  … It adds language to the deceptive advertising law that would include any promotion that: “advertises the price in any manner calculated or tending to mislead or in any way deceive a person.”  The State Chamber has reviewed the amended version of LB155 and has expressed concerns regarding this provision – specifically, its vagueness and how it could be interpreted to impact Nebraska businesses.

Nebraska leaders mulling unemployment insurance stimulus funding

JournalStar.com reports that state leaders are still pondering whether to accept a portion of available federal stimulus funding — “about $43.6 million that could be used to help pay for unemployment benefits.”

The drawback? Accepting the federal funding comes with a federal mandate to expand unemployment insurance benefits, which would almost certainly lead to “higher future costs” — all of which would be shouldered by Nebraska businesses. According to the Journal Star, “the state can get the money by improving the state’s unemployment benefits in two of four specific categories.”

The article notes that “labor leaders support the improved benefits and don’t see any reason to dawdle. … State business interests are still weighing the options, looking for a route that won’t lead to higher unemployment taxes in the future.”

According to the story, “Gov. Dave Heineman, who must ask for the money, says he’s not interested in this stimulus funding if it requires an eventual tax increase. … (L)abor and business interests have at least another year to come up with a solution.”

Ron Sedlacek, General Counsel for the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry told the Journal Star, “It would be a simple decision if the only issue was putting money into the unemployment trust fund.” But accepting the federal money with strings attached “could lead to a permanent tax increase. And seeking the money will require changes in state law, he noted.”

Several other states have said they don’t want the federal unemployment money “because of the potential future cost of raising benefits.

Nebraska leaders mulling unemployment insurance stimulus funding

JournalStar.com reports that state leaders are still pondering whether to accept a portion of available federal stimulus funding — “about $43.6 million that could be used to help pay for unemployment benefits.”  The drawback? Accepting the federal funding comes with a federal mandate to expand unemployment insurance benefits, which would almost certainly lead to “higher future costs” — all of which would be shouldered by Nebraska businesses.  According to the Journal Star, “the state can get the money by improving the state’s unemployment benefits in two of four specific categories.”  The article notes that “labor leaders support the improved benefits and don’t see any reason to dawdle. … State business interests are still weighing the options, looking for a route that won’t lead to higher unemployment taxes in the future.”  According to the story, “Gov. Dave Heineman, who must ask for the money, says he’s not interested in this stimulus funding if it requires an eventual tax increase. … (L)abor and business interests have at least another year to come up with a solution.”  Ron Sedlacek, General Counsel for the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry told the Journal Star, “It would be a simple decision if the only issue was putting money into the unemployment trust fund.”  But accepting the federal money with strings attached “could lead to a permanent tax increase.  And seeking the money will require changes in state law, he noted.

New study reveals Nebraska tourism numbers

KHAS in Hastings reports that, last year, $2.3 billion was spent on travel in Nebraska — “a 5.8% increase from the year before.”  The statistic is from a new report from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Travel and Tourism Division that highlighted local travel statistics, including economic impact.

Nebraska lawmakers may wrap up work early

Omaha.com reports that “talk is swirling in the State Capitol that the Nebraska Legislature might wrap up its business early and adjourn the 2009 session three days sooner than anticipated. … That would mean sine die Friday, May 29, instead of the scheduled end of the 90-day session Thursday, June 4.”  State Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk, speaker of the Legislature “emphasized it was too soon to tell whether the session could adjourn early.”  According to the story, “that could be determined only after seeing the progress remaining on the major issues.”  Bills dealing with abortion and the death penalty are still awaiting debate and could consume a large amount of floor time.

Three Nebraska employers semifinals for Guard award

JournalStar.com reports that three Nebraska employers “have been named semifinalists for the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.”  According to the story, the Nebraska semifinalists are the Nebraska Public Power District, the Lincoln Journal Star newspaper and Omaha television station KETV.  “The award is the federal government’s highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of their employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.”