Electronics recycling bill vetoed by Nebraska Governor

Gov. Dave Heineman vetoed a bill late last month that would have created a statewide recycling initiative for consumer-owned televisions, personal computers and video display devices.

LB986, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Don Preister, was passed by the Legislature. The bill would have created the Electronics Recycling Act and established manufacturer fees to fund grants for privately operated recycling programs.

In his letter to the Legislature, the governor said the bill would increase consumer costs and would present an economic barrier to manufacturers by imposing some of the highest fees in the nation.

Nebraska Unicameral Speaker: It Was A Good Session

The 2008 Nebraska legislative session was successful, said Speaker of the Legislature Mike Flood of Norfolk. Funding for state roads was a contentious item, due to record high gasoline prices. The Unicameral transfered $14.5 million from the general fund for road projects. Those dollars will be matched by approximately $75 million in federal funds.

Sen. Flood said: “It’s a tough time for people, we recognize that. We didn’t want to make it any worse than we had to. At the same time, we maintained quality infrastructure across the state.” Flood added: “I think that the method of execution will be an issue next session.” The Unicameral will reconvene next January.

Nebraska businesses and industries get their own day in Grand Island

Nebraska Diplomats, along with company, community and government officials came together Monday to recognize the tremendous economic contributions of the state’s many businesses and industries.

Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy welcomed guests during lunch and presented a plaque to the newest Economic Development Certified Community — Kearney — and Diplomats President Tim White presented the Diplomats President’s Awards to representatives of Principal Financial Group and Standard Iron, both in Grand Island.

Dave McCracken, quality engineer with Tenneco in Seward, Neb., a former Edgerton Award recipient, announced the recipients of 2008 Edgerton Quality Awards for ongoing efforts in quality and performance excellence. The Edgerton Quality Award recipients are Bellevue University in Bellevue; Alegent Health in Omaha.

Nebraska state senator looks ahead to 2009

It’s only been a few days since the 2008 legislative session came to end, but state Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk is already looking ahead to 2009. At a Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce meeting last Friday, the speaker of the Nebraska Legislature identified three primary goals he will be working on next year — the nursing college division proposed for Norfolk, road funding and recruiting more jobs to Nebraska.

State senators took some important steps this session in regard to highway funding — a 1 cent increase in the state gas tax and agreeing to use $15 million in state cash reserves in order to make use of about $75 million in federal highway earmarks.

But much more work needs to be done, Flood said. Flood said he looks forward to sitting down with Gov. Dave Heineman to, hopefully, plan a course of action for the future.

Nebraska workers comp bill vetoed by Heineman

A bill to expand the workers’ compensation program in Nebraska was vetoed last week by Gov. Dave Heineman. The end of the legislative session was April 17, meaning lawmakers could not override his veto of the bill (LB819) that contained the workers’ comp provision, as amended by state Sen. Abbie Cornett of Bellevue.

The measure would have allowed emergency responders who suffered mental illness after witnessing violent acts to get workers’ compensation benefits. Heineman said in his veto message to lawmakers Monday that the expansion of workers’ compensation benefits would be costly for state and local governments. Cornett says she isn’t surprised by the veto because businesses oppose the bill. She plans to bring it back next year.

Delaware and Nebraska’s Lawsuit Climate Best in Nation, Study Shows

Delaware ranks first among all fifty states in the fairness of its litigation environment, a position it has held for seven years running, according to an annual assessment of state liability systems conducted by Harris Interactive and released last week by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR). Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, noted that Delaware edged second place finisher Nebraska by only 0.2 points in the raw score.

Donohue said the national business community has a growing concern about the number of asbestos-related lawsuits filed by out-of-state plaintiffs. ILR is launching a national advertising campaign highlighting the results of the study and the need for comprehensive legal reform.

The Harris survey is the preeminent standard by which companies, policymakers and the media measure the legal environment of states. Harris asked 957 senior attorneys to evaluate up to five states in which they were “very” or “somewhat familiar” with that state’s litigation environment.

Survey respondents assigned each state a letter grade for each of 12 different factors affecting the states’ tort liability system, ranging from the overall treatment of tort and contract litigation to judges’ competence and impartiality, and Harris computed an overall score for each state based on these evaluations. The full Harris report is available online at www.instituteforlegalreform.com.

State Chamber Manufacturers Council Annual Meeting Set for May 14

The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry Manufacturers’ Council will sponsor a special meeting for all Chamber members on Wednesday, May 14 at Quarry Oaks Golf Course near Ashland. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. with an update from Lieutenant Governor Rick Sheehy on issues affecting the state’s manufactures. Attendees will also hear from a nationwide consulting firm on how small- and medium-sized manufacturers can thrive in today’s global economy.

The program also features an informational session on Reinke Manufacturing’s partnership with Deshler Public Schools to provide a modern welding technology program for students and adults. The program will conclude at 11 a.m., following the Innovation Award ceremony.

Registration will begin at 7:45 a.m.. There is no charge for this meeting, but reservations are requested. For information or to register, call 402-474-4422 or e-mail cvolnek@nechamber.com.

High energy prices hinder economic growth in Midlands

High energy prices have led to languishing economic growth and continued job losses in 10 Midwestern and Plains states, according to a survey of rural bankers. The overall economic index for the region rose slightly to 47.5, from 46.3 in March, still weak and below the nearly two-year low of 50 measured in February.

An index over 50 represents economic growth; a score below 50 signals economic downturn. Farmers aren’t the only ones hurting from higher energy prices, according to the survey, which includes Nebraska. “Higher energy prices appear to be the culprit in the (index’s) downturn,” said Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss. Goss and Bill McQuillan, chief executive officer of City National Bank in Greeley, Neb., created the monthly survey of rural bank presidents and chief executives.

“Any time there are abuses of the financial system by the large financial firms, community banks pay the price,” said Jim Stanosheck, CEO of State Bank in Odell, Neb. The farm equipment sales index was a strong 71.4 in April, down slightly from 72.5 in March but up from 64.3 in April 2007. The farmland price index stood at 71.3, down from March’s 78.1. Bank indicators were mixed for April. Farmers pushed loan volumes up, to 57.3 from 54.5 in March.

In Nebraska, hospitals’ value extends well beyond health care services

A new study highlights the important role hospitals play in supporting a strong and stable economy. In Nebraska, hospitals directly employ more than 40,000 people and serve as a major source of private-sector jobs, or 8.42 percent of the state’s total employment, according to a report recently released by the American Hospital Association. Nationwide, hospitals in 2006 employed more than 5 million people, ranking second only to full-service restaurants.

Hospitals and their employees also purchase goods and services from other businesses, supporting additional jobs and economic activity in their community and across the country. In Nebraska, the health care sector supports nearly 80,000 jobs. Nebraska hospitals make significant economic contributions to the state’s economy—over an $8.8 billion economic impact, the study shows.

Nebraska Community Improvement Program Call for Entries deadline extended to June 30

Communities now have until June 30 to enter the 2008 Nebraska Community Improvement Program (NCIP), a program of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Before submitting the intent to enter, however, individuals may want to attend an upcoming workshop that explains the program and provides program updates.

Workshop dates and locations include: April 24 at the Nebraska City American National Bank; April 29 at the Bassett RC&D Building; and May 7 at the Laurel Community Learning Center. NCIP recognizes individual projects and overall community development endeavors. Judges trained in community and economic development will visit those communities entering the Community Notebook category.

To register for the workshop, contact Lindsay Papenhausen at 800-426-6505, 402-471-6587, or email: Lindsay.papenhausen@ded.ne.gov. NCIP is sponsored by the following investor-owned utilities, which provide cash awards for NCIP award recipients: Aquila, Glenwood Telephone, NorthWestern Energy, SourceGas, Northern Natural Gas, and Great Plains Communications.