On 22 Jan 2013, the Sarpy Chamber of Commerce through the Government Affairs Committee held a Legislative Coffee at the Tara Hills Golf Course in Papillion, Nebraska.
State Senators Sue Crawford, Bill Kintner, Scott Price and Jim Smith were invited to speak.
Senator Sue Crawford spoke on “leveraging Nebraska’s resources for maximum impact” and on certain bills being introduced in the Unicameral. These included:
1. Tax Reform
2. Subsidizing Wages for New Hires
3. Transparency Bill
Senator Bill Kintner talked regarding the following:
1. Bills to repeal the Learning Community
2. Ending all taxes for those who are retired
3. Keeping gun registration
4. Medicaid Expansion
Senator Scott Price discussed the effects of the new dynamics in the Unicameral .
Senator Jim Smith thanked everyone for the opportunity to represent Sarpy County and stated that a “balanced and thoughtful approach” was needed to tackle the issues ahead. He then discussed some of the bills including:
- Critical Congenital Heart Testing (LB 225)- For approximately $5-$10, it will be required that each newborn be tested for this condition to save lives and costs associated with this condition. In the state of Nebraska, approximately 3% of newborns have the congenital heart condition.
- Learning Community Bills
- Keystone XL Pipeline
