‘The No. 1 issue is workforce’: Nebraska businesses lay out legislative priorities

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Tax relief, workforce, affordable housing and child care are some of the priorities for business owners in Nebraska as many struggle to hire and retain workers. 

The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry talked about these issues with Lancaster County state senators Wednesday as the next legislative session approaches. 

“The No. 1 issue is workforce, No. 2 issue is housing, No. 3 issue is child care,” said Bryan Slone, the chamber president.

Black Hills Energy agrees that attracting people to the state is key. 

“Having a workforce that is able to find housing and be engaged and help grow our businesses and our economy is incredibly important for our future,” spokeswoman Brandy Johnson said.  

Senators also agreed that these issues need to be addressed in the next legislative session. 

“I talked to a hospital a couple weeks ago that said we can hire 250 nurses today,” said Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln. 

The chamber said it sees the same struggles in every corner of the state. 

Sen. Tom Brandt said to keep people in rural areas of the state and attract talent, the state needs to do something about affordable housing. 

“They have no houses for sale in rural Nebraska,” Brandt said. “And if they are, it’s a $50,000 house selling for $150,000 to $200,000.”

Slone said child care is also a major obstacle in bringing people to the state and hurts rural communities the most. 

The senators said their proposals for the next legislative session will also include the new convention center for the city, a second water source for Lincoln and the East Beltway.