Nebraska U.S. Congressman Mike Flood along with Nebraska State Senators Lou Ann Linehan and Elliot Bostar visited North Platte’s Lee Bird Field Monday afternoon. The three committee members of Grow Nebraska stressed the importance of a constitutional amendment appearing on the upcoming general election. If approved by the majority of Nebraska voters, the measure would amend the state constitution to allow political subdivisions that own or operate an airport to spend money to develop new or expanded regularly scheduled commercial passenger flights. According to a press release from Grow Nebraska, currently, Nebraska has a unique competitive disadvantage, and its constitution blocks this method of developing commercial air travel that is common throughout the country.
Senator Bostar, the sponsor of LR283CA, the legislative resolution that placed Amendment
1 on the ballot, focused on this competitive disadvantage and said it was a big reason he brought
LR283CA. Comments Senator Bostar made in North Platte Monday afternoon can be heard below.
Nebraska US Congressman Mike Flood, a former member of the Revenue Committee before being elected to the U.S. House this year, spoke of Amendment 1 as a common-sense measure to connect Nebraska to the rest of the country and to help with economic development in rural Nebraska. “Air service into rural communities across our state creates economic development,” said Flood. “Connecting people to rural communities through air service means increased business and investment in our state, which creates more opportunities for Nebraskans.” Comments made in North Platte Monday afternoon by Congressman Flood can be heard below.
Senator Linehan, Chair of the Revenue Committee, the committee that LR283CA passed
through on its way to the floor of the Legislature, says that she supports Amendment 1 because
of the importance of commercial air service to communities across the state.
“If we don’t work to ensure robust air service for Nebraskans from all across the state,
that is not good for our economy. Amendment 1 will help attract more air service, which is
essential for the ongoing success of local economies – both in terms of attracting new workers
and businesses and in terms of attracting new residents and retaining families,” said Linehan. Comments made by Senator Linehan during the Monday afternoon North Platte stop can be heard below as well.
Bryan Slone, President of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the
state chamber supports Amendment 1 because it increases opportunities for rural and urban
communities and benefits businesses and industries all across the state. “Even with our current competitive disadvantage, Nebraska’s nine commercial air service airports provide for over 66,000 jobs and $6.1 billion in economic output annually,” said Slone. “The efforts to pass Amendment 1 enjoy broad support from businesses all around our state because they know that passing Amendment 1 will allow communities throughout the state to grow the number of flights their airports offer and grow their local economies. These benefits will flow to urban and rural communities and can serve as valuable tools for economic development and expanding consumer choice.” Comments from Mr. Slone during the North Platte stop Monday afternoon can be heard below.
The constitutional amendment has also been endorsed by the Nebraska Farm Bureau.
Nebraska Farm Bureau has taken a position of support for a constitutional amendment that would allow political subdivisions that own or operate an airport to spend money to develop new or expanded commercial air travel, according to a press release from the Nebraska Farm Bureau.
“Nebraska Farm Bureau has a long history of supporting economic development opportunities to grow rural Nebraska. Nebraska is at a disadvantage when it comes to air service across the state, but a ‘yes’ vote on Amendment 1 will help ensure commercial air service in rural areas of Nebraska and economic vitality,” said Mark McHargue, Nebraska Farm Bureau president.
Nebraska Farm Bureau delegates representing farmers and ranchers from all 93 Nebraska counties supports policy that encourages legislations and economic development incentives for meaningful and supportive economic development programs. “Growing commercial air service at smaller airports would also assure that essential services are delivered to rural areas of Nebraska such as the health and welfare of communities, maintaining supply chains, manufacturing and agriculture support, and food and fuel supplies,” McHargue said in a press release issued by the Nebraska Farm Bureau.
Pictured Above: President of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce Bryan Slone addresses a crowd of roughly 20 at North Platte’s Lee Bird Field.
Pictured Above: Nebraska Legislature Revenue Chair Lou Ann Linehan gives comments in North Platte, Monday afternoon.
Pictured Above: Nebraska US Congressman Mike Flood talk with community members at North Platte’s Lee Bird Field prior to a press conference to discuss a constitutional amendment appearing on the upcoming general election.
