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Senate advances ballot-cleanup and convention-center financing bill after extended debate over scope and transparency
Summary
Lawmakers advanced LB 116, a bill to expand how counties may reinvest lodging-tax turnbacks for convention-center projects, after lengthy questions about geographic reach, a $150 million project cap and public-engagement protections. The bill moves to E&R initial.
Senator Ballard on behalf of proponents introduced LB 116, saying the bill would give counties “greater flexibility in reinvesting lodging tax dollars into county owned projects that are valuable to the local tourism industry.” The measure would amend the Nebraska Visitor Development Act and add cleanup language to the Convention Center Facility Financing Assistance Act.
Why it matters: supporters said the change would let counties use turn-back tax dollars to plan, expand and maintain convention facilities and associated projects aimed at drawing conventions and visitors. Ballard said the bill was intended to let counties “strategically adopt convention center and future proof into human wants, events, and as technology…
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