We are down to the final two weeks. This week is all about tying up loose ends and cleaning things up. State senators are running out of time and will need to start to prune things off the docket. There’s only so many hours of floor time left.

Governor Pillen issued a statement praising the Legislature for exercising fiscal constraint reflected in the budget bills (LB1071 and LB1072) presented to him on April 1. Both still await his signature which may or may come with line item vetos.

The other BIA-related news of the week is the Legislature approved the full-time appointment of Maureen Larsen as the Director of Economic Development. She will lead the department responsible for disbursing the Business Innovation Act programs. Her approval came with reservations from lawmakers.

We’ll keep our eyes open on the budget followups (aka “cleanup” and technical fixes). Chances are low any major conflicts arise, but there’s still a chance BIA funding can get reduced.

Takeaway: Keep spreading the good word about the BIA!

Another “The BIA Did That!” video is live on our LinkedIn Page. Each one of this series 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!

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Many thanks to everyone who shared their stories below. The chorus continues to grow!

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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!