Nebraska Pulse Political Blog

News and Views about Politics in the Great State of Nebraska

SkillsUSA Makes Final Stop in Columbus

March 30th, 2010 Posted in Business and Industry, Economy
Mar, 30 2010
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Saturday’s awards program at Central Community College marked the sixth and final year of the Nebraska SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference in Columbus.

The competition, which kicked-off Thursday, will move to Central Community College-Hastings next year. Columbus was chosen as the host site for two, three-year terms. The first conference was held here in 2005.

Greg Stahr, state director of SkillsUSA Nebraska, said Columbus has been a great host site for the event because of the willingness of local and area businesses and industries to get involved.

SkillsUSA is a national organization that readies students for the work force.

“We prepare our young people to be world-class workers and responsible American citizens,” Stahr said.

The conference features students in secondary and post-secondary school. They take part in a variety of contests, including trade, industrial, technical, technology and health occupations, leadership, citizenship and character development programs.

The contests are judged by people involved in business and industries, which was new when the competition moved to Columbus. Previously, judges were educators. Allowing businesses to be a part of the competition exposes them to the future work force.

“They need to see what our kids can do. Kids have skills and are willing to put themselves on the line. Some will fall on their faces and others will do well,” Stahr said.

There are about 70 SkillsUSA chapters in Nebraska and about 65 were represented at the state competition, including teams from Columbus High School and Central Community College-Columbus. Overall, about 850 students, 100 advisers and 250 contest judges and coordinators took part.

During the event, students competed in a variety of contests.

“They come to compete in hands-on skills contests and leadership contests,” he said. There are about 100 contests and some of those include carpentry, computer maintenance, fire fighting, masonry, photography and welding.

After opening ceremonies Thursday at the college, leadership contests got under way. More contests were held throughout the day and evening Friday, and the awards ceremony was Saturday.

First-place winners at the state conference are eligible to participate at the national conference in Kansas City, Mo., in June.

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LB297CA Opens Tax Spigot for Economic Development

March 29th, 2010 Posted in Business and Industry, Taxes
Mar, 29 2010
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Senators passed a measure March 26 seeking to amend the state constitution to allow municipalities more options for funding development projects.

LR297CA, sponsored by Wilber Sen. Russ Karpisek, will place on the November 2010 general election ballot a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would change the powers of municipalities relating to funding sources for economic or industrial development.

Currently, the Legislature may authorize cities and villages to use funds raised from general taxes for economic or industrial development, subject to approval by voters.

The proposed amendment would allow the use of funds derived from property tax, local option sales tax or any other general tax levied by a municipality, or funds generated from utilities owned by the city, to be used to issue revenue bonds for defraying the costs of development projects.

All projects would be subject to voter approval and the measure would allow a city to use funds received from grants, donations or state and federal funds.

The measure passed on a 47-0 vote.

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Nebraska Jobless Rate Climbs Slightly

March 29th, 2010 Posted in Business and Industry, State of Nebraska
Mar, 29 2010
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Nebraska officials say the state’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.8 percent in February — still less than half the national rate of 9.7 percent.

State labor officials released the latest unemployment figures Friday. They also revised the preliminary January unemployment rate to 4.7 percent from 4.6 percent.

The Nebraska unemployment rate in February was a half-percentage point higher than the 4.3 percent reported a year ago. The national rate in February is 1.5 percentage points higher than a year earlier.

The state report says two sectors of the Nebraska economy saw increases in the number of jobs in February: education and health services, up by more than 1,000 jobs; and other services, up by more than 100 jobs.

Nebraska’s seasonally adjusted labor force included 985,589 people in February. Of those, 47,215 were listed as unemployed, which is 1,176 more than in January and 4,620 more than February 2009.

Omaha’s estimated unemployment rate fell to 5.9 percent in February, from a revised 6.1 percent in January. The rate was 4.9 in February 2009.

Lincoln’s estimated unemployment rate also dropped, to 4.9 percent in February from a revised 5.2 percent in January. In February 2009, the Lincoln rate was 4.3 percent.

Unemployment rates for Omaha and Lincoln are not seasonally adjusted and cannot be compared with the state unemployment rate.

Here are the preliminary labor market rates for February, followed by the revised January rates:

  • Beatrice: 6.1,6.9
  • Columbus: 4.4,5.0
  • Fremont: 5.5,5.8
  • Grand Island: 5.2,5.4
  • Hastings: 5.5,5.8
  • Kearney: 4.1,4.5
  • Lexington: 5.4,5.8
  • Norfolk: 5.1,5.3
  • North Platte: 4.5,5.0
  • Red Willow: 4.5,5.2
  • Scotts Bluff: 6.0,6.7
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Nebraska Tanning Salons Fear Future Under Obama Care Tanning Tax

March 24th, 2010 Posted in Business and Industry, Healthcare and Medicine, State of Nebraska
Mar, 24 2010
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There’s a clause within the massive health care reform bill that will have a direct impact on the tanning salon industry. A 10 percent tax for indoor tanning services will take effect July 1 to help pay for the health risks associated with tanning.

A La Vista salon owner said running her shop is tough enough without adding an additional tax to her prices.

“I have a feeling it’s going to hurt and it’s really scary to me,” said Annette Ryan.

She said higher prices means her business would suffer.

“I don’t think you can pick on one industry alone,” Ryan said. “If you’re going to say tanning causes cancer, what about all the chemicals that are in fast food?”

Ryan said her business also has its health benefits.

“Customers tell me they’re here for eczema, arthritis, psoriasis, acne or season affective disorder, so it definitely benefits people,” she said.

As far as tanners are concerned, they said they don’t think the added tax or the health risks will keep them from the tanning beds.

“You put yourself at risk in anything you do. If you do anything you’re always putting yourself at risk. You get on the road you put yourself at risk. You wake up you put yourself at risk. It’s doesn’t make a difference,” said Matt Lee.

“I tried to quit for a long time, but then decided I like it and that I’m willing to pay for it,” said Tara Galvis. “If it’s going to be taxed, it’s just another part of life. Another thing they’re going to tax.”

Ryan said she and other tanning salon owners are joining together to form the Nebraska Indoor Tanning Association. They hope to have a stronger voice in government and avoid future taxes on their industry.

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Unicameral Moves to Regulate Personal Injury Installment Payment Advances

March 24th, 2010 Posted in Business and Industry, Money and Finance
Mar, 24 2010
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Nebraska lawmakers want to regulate a relatively new industry that lends money to people who are injured and awaiting money from settlements.

They gave first-round approval Tuesday to a bill (LB1094) that would do so.

It would require the companies to register with the state, post bonds, allow people to cancel contracts with them during a five-day window and clearly show how much is being charged, among other things.

The companies lend money to people who are injured and sometimes desperate for money because they can’t work.

If the injured receive financial settlements for their injuries, the companies then get a percentage of the settlements that Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha said sometimes are equivalent to charging 30 percent to 40 percent interest.

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Senator Greg Adams Visits Public Affairs Council

March 24th, 2010 Posted in Business and Industry, State of Nebraska
Mar, 24 2010
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Nebraska Senator Greg AdamsState Senator Greg Adams of York spoke Tuesday morning to about 40 business & organization representatives at the State Chamber’s Public Affairs Council meeting.

Senator Adams is chairman of the Legislature’s Education Committee, as well as a member of the tax-writing Revenue Committee.

At yesterday’s meeting, Senator Adams spoke about the state’s budget challenges and how they could impact state aid to education.

He also addressed issues related to community colleges, the state’s P-16 Initiative, and the learning community of Douglas and Sarpy counties.

The State Chamber’s Public Affairs Council meets every Tuesday morning during the legislative session to discuss legislation and issues of interest to the Nebraska business community. Membership is open to all member firms with registered lobbyists.

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Rural Economy Rises, but Still less than 1/2 of Nebraska Economy

March 23rd, 2010 Posted in Agriculture, Business and Industry
Mar, 23 2010
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The AP reports that “a new survey of rural bankers in 11 Midwest and Plains states (including Nebraska) shows continued weakness in the agriculture industry, but it also signs of improvement.”

According to the story, the overall index for the most Rural Mainstreet economic report “rose to 47.4 in March from February’s 36.6″ — “more than double last March’s reading of 18.7.”

A score below 50 suggests the economy will contract in the next few months, the AP notes. According to Creighton University professor and economist Ernie Goss, “The Rural Mainstreet economy continues to lose jobs at an annualized rate of roughly 2%.”

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Big Government Policies Risk U.S. AAA Credit Rating

March 23rd, 2010 Posted in Business and Industry, Money and Finance
Mar, 23 2010
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Bloomberg.com reports, “The bond market is saying that it’s safer to lend to Warren Buffett than Barack Obama,” as data compiled by Bloomberg shows “the $2.59 trillion of Treasury Department sales since the start of 2009 have created a glut as the budget deficit swelled to a post-World War II-record 10% of the economy.”

The national debt has suddenly “raised concerns whether the U.S. deserves its AAA credit rating.”

Bloomberg reports that “last year’s $2.1 trillion in borrowing by the government exceeded the $1.08 trillion issued by investment-grade companies, the biggest gap ever.”

One expert said the “last time he can recall that a corporate bond yield traded below Treasuries” was in the mid-1980s.

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Nebraska Challenges EPA Greenhouse Gas Regulation

March 23rd, 2010 Posted in Business and Industry, Energy and Oil, Healthcare and Medicine, State of Nebraska
Mar, 23 2010
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The AP reports, “Nebraska has joined several other states in filing a challenge to the EPA’s finding that greenhouse gases are great enough to threaten public health and should face restrictions.”

According to the news service, “Nebraska and 11 other states have followed suit,” as Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning “says the EPA has no authority to impose such strict emissions regulations,” which he says would “hamper Nebraska’s agriculture industry and small businesses.”

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Contractors Under Scrutiny for Independent Contractor Classifications

March 23rd, 2010 Posted in Business and Industry, State of Nebraska, Taxes
Mar, 23 2010
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The AP reports, “Nebraska lawmakers are clamping down on construction contractors who avoid paying taxes and benefits to workers by calling them independent contractors instead of employees.”

According to the story, LB563 received first-round approval last week and would “impose stiff fines against contractors and trucking companies that treated workers as independent contractors when they were in fact employees.”

JournalStar.com reports that “the growing practice of calling employees independent contractors” is hurting “honest companies that can’t compete with lower bids,” according to Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop, who introduced LB563.

The bill “would penalize construction and delivery service companies for misclassifying workers.”

According to the article, “the bill is, in part, aimed at illegal immigrant workers.”

The story also notes that “the bill uses the state’s unemployment law definition for contract worker,” and would establish penalties of “$500 per worker for the first time a company is caught using contract workers illegally and $5,000 per worker for later offenses.”

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