The Appropriations Committee heard testimony Feb. 13 on a bill seeking funds to pay Nebraska\u2019s rail compact dues.<\/p>\n
LB891, introduced by Fullerton Sen. Annette Dubas, would appropriate funds to pay the state\u2019s past due and current membership dues to the Midwest Passenger Rail Compact.<\/p>\n
Dubas said Nebraska has not paid its annual $15,000 dues since 2009 but legally remains a member of the compact. The dues were eliminated from the state budget due to the economic downturn, she said, but continue to accrue whether Nebraska actively participates in the compact or not.<\/p>\n
A negotiated amount to bring the state current on its dues was part of last session\u2019s budget package, but was line-item vetoed by the governor. An override attempt by Dubas failed.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we are basically back to square one with no resolution,\u201d Dubas said.<\/p>\n
Milo Mumgaard of the city of Lincoln Mayor\u2019s Office testified in support of the bill, saying the state should be involved in planning discussions regarding the growth of passenger rail.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a tremendous amount of activity already going on in the Midwest region,\u201d Mumgaard said.<\/p>\n
No one testified in opposition and the committee took no immediate action on the bill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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