When the Nebraska Legislature is in session the actions of state lawmakers can profoundly impact the business community. LIBA works to ensure that Lincoln’s business community has a voice in government at the state level by supporting or opposing proposed legislation. Below is a list of LIBA’s top six legislative priorities for 2014.
1. Build the South Beltway. LIBA would like to thank the Nebraska Department of Roads for including the Lincoln South Beltway in its 10 year priority list. This project is made possible through the Build Nebraska Act. The construction of a South Beltway for Lincoln is “crucial to Lincoln’s economic vitality and driver safety.” LIBA will continue support the roads funding made possible by the Build Nebraska Act and asks Nebraska’s Senators to do the same.
2. Limit Bonding Authority of Joint Public Agencies (JPA). JPA’s are a valuable tool to encourage governmental cooperation and efficiency. However, JPA’s can exercise a freedom to bond that effectively allows them to offer general obligation bonds without a vote of the people. LIBA believes JPA’s authority to bond must be limited so they exercise no greater authority to bond than the JPA’s member entities.
3. Lower the School Levy Lid. Nebraska’s school aid formula penalizes school districts that do not levy up to their levy lid. This forces school districts such as Lincoln Public Schools to levy at their maximum rate. Even if the district were fiscally able to lower the levy rate it would not due to the resulting cut in state aid. To create greater equity among Nebraska’s school districts LIBA asks the Nebraska Legislature to lower the school districts property tax levy lid and increase state aid to schools.
4. Reduce/Eliminate Unfunded Mandates to Cities and Counties. State law dictates many functions of county government yet the state does not pay for counties to carry them out. This results in Nebraska’s heavy reliance on property taxes. State policy requiring state programs be funded by state revenues will increase transparency and help to relive the property tax burden.
5. Eliminate requirement that Lincoln Public School’s Associate Superintendent of Business Affairs must hold a superintendent certificate. Only in Lincoln’s school system is the associate superintendent of business affairs required to hold a superintendent certificate. Removing this restriction will open a broad field of candidates to the position including those whose practical business experience will benefit the public school system.
6. Require that all school districts report at least three graduation rates. Many school districts work diligently to graduate students, even students who were unable to graduate in four years. The efforts of these schools should be recognized and encouraged. Inviting schools to report four, five, and six year graduation rates will paint a more accurate picture of Nebraska’s graduation rates and recognize the extra effort and dedication of Nebraska’s school districts.
LIBA is also surveying members of Lincoln’s Business community about the minimum wage. A group of Nebraska Senators have proposed raising Nebraska’s minimum wage to around $9 an hour over the next three to five years. As of now 17 states have a minimum wage higher than $7.25 per hour and conversations are occurring at the federal level about raising the national minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. Please contact our office to share your opinion. Call 402.466.3419 or email apost@liba.org.
LIBA New Members
Shen Café
Shen Café, owned by the Sam family (Shen in Chinese), serves authentic Chinese food with fresh, local ingredients served in a fast casual atmosphere. They offer a place to meet up with family and friends for an amazing dining experience at a great price. Shen Café believes that great Chinese food starts with the ingredients and in addition to searching for the freshest meats and produce available, their sauces and marinades are made from scratch through recipes created from over 25 years of experience in the Chinese food industry. Every item and meal offered on their menu is cooked to order, which guarantees the highest quality and the best taste that they can achieve. Shen Café is located at 3520 Village Drive, and invites the Lincoln community to come visit and try their award-winning food by dining in, taking out, or through their catering services.
Egan Supply Company
Egan Supply Company is a family-owned Nebraska business with a tradition of service and quality that began in 1966. We offer an array of facility maintenance and cleaning products including chemicals, paper products, cleaning equipment and related supplies from industry leaders including Betco, Nilfisk-Advance, Tomcat, Triple S, Wausau Paper and 3M. We also service and repair of cleaning equipment at our service center or onsite at your facility. Our team of Facility Supply Specialists is available to assist organizations with their cleaning and maintenance needs in the region. Mike Cords (mcords@egansupply.net or 402-540-3954) and Nate Schaf (nschaf@egansupply.net or 402-219-3888) are Egan Supply’s representatives who cover Lincoln and surrounding areas. For more information please contact Mike or Nate. You may also visit Egan Supply online at http://www.egansupply.net.
Lincoln Mobility
‘I Get Around’ is Lincoln Mobility’s new tag line. They are a new retail durable medical equipment store located at 2655 S. 70th St, just North of Valentino’s Buffet in Lincoln. They specialize in Lift Chair Recliners, Scooters, Power & Manual Wheelchairs, Walkers, Canes, Crutches, Bath Safety Equipment, Stair Lifts, Ramps, Shoes (Diabetic and Orthopedic), Compression Hose & Stockings and many other medical supplies. They also sell parts and service all of the equipment they sell.
Tim & Kris Gemar are the owners and Pat Pohlman is the General Manager. One of their goals is to keep people in their homes safely for as long as possible. If you can stay in your home one or two years longer with the equipment they sell, it could save you tens of thousands of dollars in facility costs. For more information about Lincoln Mobility, including what is covered by your insurance, call (402) 421-8800 or visit www.LincolnMobility.com.
Sandler Sales and Management Training
Sandler Training is an internationally recognized, award-winning sales and management consulting organization. With over 320 franchised locations worldwide, we partner with companies challenged with maintaining consistent sales growth, process accountability and effective management skills. Located at 3828 Dodge Street, in Omaha, Sandler Training takes the guesswork out of sales by providing methodologies and tools designed to:
• Build the professional skills of your sales and management staff
• Establish processes designed to maximize opportunity growth
• Instill the knowledge and confidence to close more business
In the final analysis we are people partnering with people. Our company’s strength is our team of dedicated individuals committed to the success of others. As a result, Sandler Sales and Management Training in Omaha is recognized as one of only 15 Platinum Level facilities within Sandler’s global network.
by Coby Mach, President & CEO
Lincoln Independent Business Association
402-466-3419
LIBA studies and promotes these types of issues that are important to businesses and our community. If you have an interest in joining LIBA, please call me at 466-3419. LIBA membership is not restricted to just businesses. We also have “individual” memberships for those who want to help influence our local government decisions.