A bill that would eliminate the distribution of sales tax revenue for future road construction projects was discussed in a Revenue Committee hearing Feb. 16.<\/p>\n
LB1098, introduced by Omaha Sen. Brenda Council, would repeal the Build Nebraska Act passed by the Legislature in 2010. That law would dedicate one-quarter of 1 percent of the state sales tax for roads projects, 85 percent of which is directed to the State Highway Capital Improvement Fund, with the remaining 15 percent directed to the Highway Allocation Fund. Collection of the revenue would begin in 2013 and continue for 20 years.<\/p>\n
Proposed projects under the act include an expansion of Highway 30 and a south beltway around Lincoln.<\/p>\n
Council said the uncertain future of the state budget and the need to prioritize funding are reasons for repealing the roads funding.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is enough of a challenge to meet our funding priorities without the potential loss of revenue [under the Build Nebraska Act],\u201d Council said. \u201cWe should not put off until next year that which will inevitably need to be addressed next year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jerry Hoffman, representing the Nebraska State Education Association, testified in support of the bill, saying it is important that funding education remain the state\u2019s top priority. Directing sales tax to roads projects will come at the expense of education funding, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis bill will ensure the state\u2019s resources will be dedicated to the support of strong schools for every Nebraska child,\u201d Hoffman said.<\/p>\n
Marlene Johnson, League of Nebraska Municipalities vice president, testified in opposition to the bill. She said smaller communities are depending on the funding dedicated to future roads projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe finally have a mechanism now to move roads projects forward,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cThose of us in small communities need the four-lane highways so we too can participate in economic development.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coby Mach, representing the Lincoln Independent Business Association, also opposed the bill, saying construction of the Lincoln beltway is a matter of public safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the past 11 years, 17 people have lost their lives as a result of crashes on the portion of Highway 2 running from west to east through Lincoln,\u201d Mach said.<\/p>\n
The committee took no immediate action on the bill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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