Letter to State Senators, May 25, 2005

May 25, 2005

Dear Senator:

The Lancaster County Democratic Party wishes to express its opinion on the two major business tax incentive bills, LB 312 and LB 500.

LB 312 which reforms the LB 775 business tax incentives program. We applaud the new amount of disclosure and accountability included, but we feel more could be done. We continue to support the highest level of disclosure as well as accountability measures such as higher wage levels and assurances that the jobs created are permanent. We do oppose the idea of spending even more state money on the incentive program. We feel while some tax incentives may be necessary the best way to attract business to the state is through educational programs, not tax incentives.

We also oppose LB 500. We do not feel an additional way to give out corporate welfare is necessary. The STAR bond concept is not one that we feel is the best way to attract business to the state. There needs to be a limit to how much we are giving away as a state to attract businesses that may just locate in Nebraska anyway.

Please consider our opinions when debating these bills.

Sincerely,

Thomas A Green
Corresponding Secretary
Issues Committee Chair
Lancaster County Democratic Party