The budget lumbers forward with one bill advancing and the second getting mired in a protest vote related to school vouchers. The biggest news this week was quite the beef over cattle brands.

What’s happening now is a war of attrition. Lawmakers are starting to wear down and start to look wistfully at the calendar like school kids counting the days before the session ends.

You can expect to see lots of movement this coming week, as lawmakers stop trying to make even more small cuts and look for one big swing. It’ll likely end with one final transfer from the cash reserves.

Keep pushing the BIA messaging, so we can get through the budget process with as much of the $11M that is currently in the budget. Keeping things level with last year’s budget would be a huge win (fingers crossed, knocking on wood, etc.)

Once the budget is passed and signed, we’ll need to shift our attention to the long game. One thing for you to review:

Takeaway: Keep spreading the good word about the BIA

Another batch of “The BIA Did That!” videos are live on our LinkedIn Page. Each one shares the perspective of a Nebraska founder, investor, or community champion on why the Business Innovation Act matters.

This batch features:

What can you do?

Read this Silicon Prairie News guest editorial, which explains how bills become laws in Nebraska and how your voice shapes them.

LB100: Establish the Office of Entrepreneurship in the Department of Economic Development, encourage state agencies to contract with startups, and require the state pension fund to Invest in Nebraska startups.

LB847: Adopt the Nebraska Registered Apprenticeship Act and change provisions relating to the combined tax rate under the Employment Security Law - this becomes the main bill to which the BIA-related bills get attached as amendments.

LB999: Establish the Business Innovation and Startup Commission to help guide state government decisions.

LB1015: Create a Business Innovation Reserve Fund to provide long-term stable funding of the Business Innovation Act programs.

LB1044: Change provisions of the Business Innovation Act to create long-term stability of funding and establish a minimum amount awarded

LB1156: Adopt the Disinvested Community Development Incentive Tax Credit Act to help fund small business and startup support, accelerator programs, and workforce training in rural and urban communities.

LB1205: Require the Department of Economic Development to award microlending grants under the Business Innovation Act

Takeaway: You can watch each bill evolve and progress by clicking the links.

You are one of 151 people (and counting) who have stepped forward to speak up for Nebraska startups. Thank you!

Small actions, big impact
Many thanks to everyone who shared their stories below. The chorus continues to grow!

One message, many voices
In your communications, please consider using this message:

Helping Nebraska startups is a strategic investment that creates a more vibrant economy, more high paying jobs for Nebraska workers, and a greater diversity of future tax revenues. The grass is always greener where you water it!