State Chamber lauds senator's votes

Each year, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry reviews the voting records of all 49 state senators, regarding key issues affecting the state’s business and financial climate. The review is to see how each senator voted — and whether those votes fell in line with the opinion of the organization.

For the 2008 session, officials with the state chamber say District 24 Senator Greg Adams’ votes supported the chamber’s position 100 percent of the time.

According to Barry Kennedy, president of the state chamber, they looked at eight selected issues “that were important to the Nebraska business community. This is not intended as an evaluation of any senator, but is presented only as a factual record of how votes were cast on the selected issues.”

The chamber looked at the following legislative issues:
• The Nebraska Super Advantage Act, which expanded incentives for businesses providing high-paying jobs in Nebraska. The chamber supported the act, as did Adams.
• Expansion of workers’ compensation benefits, LB 819, which would have expanded workers’ benefits to first responders who incur mental illness after witnessing violent criminal acts. Although it was approved by the legislature, it was vetoed by Governor Dave Heineman. The chamber opposed this bill “due to the increased premium costs that would have been incurred by employers,” as did Adams.
• Restrictions on ag land ownership, LB 1174, which the chamber opposed “due to proposed restrictions of ownership and operation of farm and ranch land.” So did Adams.
• Corporate tax relief, LB 888, which raised the threshold of Nebraska’s lower corporate income tax bracket — from $50,000 to $100,000 — so that corporations can now earn up to $100,000 per year and still be taxed at the lower rate of 5.58 percent. The new law reduces corporations’ income taxes by up to $1,120 per year. The chamber supported the bill, as did Adams.
• Road funding was considered under LB 846, which passed, providing $15 million in roads funding from the state’s cash reserve, “allowing lawmakers to avoid any fuel tax increase while providing matching funds needed for approximately $75 million in federal highway appropriations. The bill also created a new fuel tax mechanism to stabilize future highway construction funding.” The chamber and Adams supported this legislation.
• The issue surrounding the state fair park (LB 1116) resulted in legislation that facilitates the agreement reached by the Nebraska State Fair Board and others to relocate the state fair to Grand Island by 2010. The chamber says the move will make way for the University of Nebraska’s “Innovation Park, a public/private development that could create high-paying jobs and speed technological advances.” Both the chamber and Adams supported the move.
• Deceptive trade practices were considered under LB 781, which outlaws fraudulent business practices, including the use of unsolicited promotional or incentive checks that obligate the endorser to pay for goods and services if cashed or deposited. Adams supported the bill, as did the chamber.
• And employee withholding issues were considered under LB 1004. The bill was passed, lowering the mandatory state income tax withholding on employees from 3 percent to 1.5 percent for companies that employ 25 or more. Adams and the chamber supported the bill.

Other senators listed as having a voting record in agreement with the state chamber’s positions 100 percent of the time, besides Adams, were Ray Aguilar, Carroll Burling, Pat Engel, Philip Erdman, Deb Fischer, Tony Fulton, Tim Gay, John Harms, Joel Johnson, Chris Langemeier, Scott Lautenbaugh, LeRoy Louden, Pete Pirsch, Arnie Stuthman and John Wightman.