Proposed bill that would create lake between Lincoln and Omaha advances 

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Senators took a deep dive into debate Wednesday about the proposed lake that would be built between Omaha and Lincoln. After hours of discussion, the bill advanced, but not without some mixed reaction from lawmakers.

Senator Mike Hilgers of Lincoln, who introduced LB1023, says the goal is to bring in and keep more young people in the state. Others agree and say this would be a huge boost to tourism, something Nebraska could use more of.

“It’s not that we’re making a lake that would be fun to visit. The amount of revenue and I’m saying this – this is not why we vote for bills – but the amount of revenue that this can have for the state of Nebraska, not just as a state, but the local effect it could have on sales tax,” Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair said.

The bill has also brought some concerns to the floor.

Senator Megan Hunt of Omaha says she shares the goal of wanting to expand tourism but she’s suspicious of the cost, environmental impact to the water, and method of the bill.

“I’m just skeptical that the problems to tourism and attraction, retention in Nebraska is a lake. It’s not anything I’m hearing from my constituents,” Hunt said. “When I ask them how we attract and retain talent in Nebraska, I think we just need to champion issues that matter to young people, like legalizing cannabis, like raising the sub-minimum wage in Nebraska of $2.13 an hour.”

Senator Machaela Cavanaugh is also uncertain of the bill. She’s concerned with the funding mechanism for it and what our priorities are.

“I just can’t get over the fact we’re not applying for federal rental assistance right now, we’re still in a pandemic, we still have high hospitalization rates. The fact that we’re needing all of this federal money untouched and instead of prioritizing that, the conversation in this body, we’re talking about a recreational lake,” Cavanaugh said.

The bill also calls for upgrades to Lewis and Clark Lake, Lake McConaughy, and Niobrara State Park.

LB1023 advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial.