​NE Chamber President Bryan Slone today issued the following statement in response to Governor Jim Pillen’s signing of the LB754 and LB243, the income and property tax relief packages passed by the 2023 Nebraska Legislature.
 
“For decades, excessive tax burden has been holding Nebraskans and their families back, not to mention the food, goods and services they work hard to provide to our nation and world. It’s been dead weight on our shoulders as families seek greater opportunity for their children and grandchildren and farmers, ranchers and businesses work to grow their operations. In global markets, high taxes make our products less competitive.
 
“The tax cuts signed into law today will be transformational. They will unleash growth, which will unleash opportunity for all Nebraskans and attract new residents to the Good Life.
 
“Much credit goes to the Governor and legislators who strongly believed excess money does more good back in the pockets of hardworking Nebraskans.”
 
LB754 lowers the top two individual and corporate income tax brackets to 3.99% by FY27 and exempts social security from income taxes starting in tax year 2024, among other provisions. LB754 will deliver over $1.48 billion in tax relief by FY27 and $3.2 billion by FY29. LB243 increases contributions to the Property Tax Credit Fund, takes community colleges off the property tax rolls, and provides soft caps on local school district spending. When combined with an increase in state aid to education, this year’s legislation will deliver over $2.1 billion in property tax relief by FY27 and over $3.3 billion by FY29.
 
The NE Chamber is the largest, statewide business association, proudly serving its members since 1912. It is where members of the business community gather to help make Nebraska the best place to own, operate and grow a business. Focused on delivering economic and workforce growth and a competitive business climate, members also gain a network of experienced, connected business leaders across the state. Learn more at nechamber.com.

The NE Chamber Foundation has announced the members of its new Leadership Nebraska class. This year’s class is the 15th in the program’s history.
 
Leadership Nebraska was founded in 2006 to identify current and emerging leaders throughout the state, enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing Nebraska.
 
Participants have been selected from across the state and possess varied backgrounds and diverse talents. All candidates have demonstrated an abiding interest in Nebraska and its future.
 
The nine-month program covers a broad range of key Nebraska issues including economic development, workforce and education, agriculture and environment, health care, education, government and policy development.
 
“We are excited and pleased to welcome this incredibly talented group to our statewide leadership program,” said Bryan Slone, NE Chamber President. “If we’re going to truly compete and solve our workforce challenges by growing communities that excel at supporting young families, talent, innovation and community development over the next decade, the next generation of strong and informed leaders like this group will be necessary to achieve those goals.”
 
Following are the Nebraskans selected to participate in Leadership Nebraska’s Class XV, along with the class member’s employer.
 
AUBURN:
Crystal Dunekacke, City of Auburn
 
AURORA:
Adam Jurgens, Hamilton Telecommunications
 
BLAIR:
Kelli Vondra, Great Plains Communications
 
COLUMBUS:
David Mazankowski, Nebraska Public Power District
Brett Rains, Columbus Credit Services
 
DESHLER:
Julie Deepe, Midwest Bank
 
ELMWOOD:
Jenna Roberts, Pinnacle Bank-Elmwood
 
GRAND ISLAND:
Shane Labenz, CMBA Architects
 
HASTINGS:
Jason Davis, Central Community College
 
HEMINGFORD:
Gina Jespersen, Hemingford Public Schools
 
HOLDREGE:
Alex Linden, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District
 
KEARNEY:
Lauren Brandt, City of Kearney
Kristen Majocha, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Doug Sutko, FNBO
 
LINCOLN:
Katie Bass, First Five Nebraska
Stacy Clouse, Olsson
Lee Ann Heflebower, Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
David Sharp, Hexagon Agility
Courtney Wittstruck, Nebraska Community College Association

NORTH PLATTE:
Cassie Condon, North Platte Area Chamber & Development
OMAHA:
Kyleigh Austin, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska
Patrick Burke, Viterra
Cristina Castro – Matukewicz, Wells Fargo
Beth Coffman, Omaha Public Power District
Rosalee Higgs, Nonprofit Association of the Midlands
Itzel Lopez, AIM
Tami Soper, Boys Town
Michaela Valentin, Omaha Public Power District
 
PAPILLION:
Jennifer Peters, Black Hills Energy
Amber Powers, City of Papillion

 
After graduation participants join a network of 330 alumni committed to lifelong learning and community engagement.
 
Leadership Nebraska is the NE Chamber Foundation’s cornerstone program. The NE Chamber Foundation is focused on meeting the needs of current business, community and state leaders, as well as equipping Nebraska’s next generation of leaders with the experiences, information and research they need to turn big ideas into bold moves.

Thirty Nebraska leaders were recognized with certificates and commemorative awards for completing Class XIV of Leadership Nebraska at a commencement ceremony held Thursday, February 9, in Lincoln.
 
Graduates are current and emerging leaders from communities throughout Nebraska. The program enhances their leadership skills and deepens their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing our state. Leadership Nebraska is dedicated to the development of informed leaders who understand issues, define problems, develop solutions and achieve positions of higher responsibility in Nebraska.
 
“Strong leaders make strong communities,” said Bryan Slone, NE Chamber president. “We are pleased to add the talents and drive of Class XIV to those of the larger network of Leadership Nebraska alumni across the state. These 355 individuals are in the field every day making decisions and accelerating growth in their organizations, communities and state. We are proud of their passion for the Good Life.”
 
The program includes six, two-day sessions held in various locations across Nebraska. Topic areas include economic development, healthcare, agriculture, education, and government and policy.
 
Leadership Nebraska Class XIV members who graduated Thursday include:
 

AURORA:
Brett Mitchell, Fontel, Inc.
 
BLAIR:
Jordan Rishel, Washington County Community Foundation
 
CRETE:
Dr. Jennifer Bossard, Doane University
 
COLUMBUS:
Dawson Brunswick, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce
 
FALLS CITY:
Lucas Froeschl, Falls City Economic Development Growth Enterprise
 
GERING:
Jennifer Sibal, Gering Public Schools
 
GRAND ISLAND:
Lisa Albers, Anesthesia Group of Grand Island
Lori Schuppan, Chief Industries, Inc.
Lynne Werner, First National Bank (FNBO)
 
IMPERIAL:
Eric Exum, Pinnacle Bank
 
KEARNEY:
Michael Christen, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Trevor Lee, Economic Development Council of Buffalo County
John Lowe, State of Nebraska
 
LINCOLN:
Matthew Kasik, Region V Services
Brandon Malleck, Black Hills Energy
John McNally, Nebraska Public Power District
Holley Salmi, NE Chamber
Abbi Swatsworth, OutNebraska
NORFOLK:
Candace Schmidt, Norfolk Public Schools
 
NORTH PLATTE:
Jacob Rissler, Mid-Plains Community College
 
OMAHA:
Sydnie Carraher, The Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative
Brenda Christensen, SHARE Omaha
Veronica Doga, UNO-Nebraska Business Development Center
Ryan Gerdts, Omaha Public Power District
Cynthia Gubbels, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska
Patrick Hoefener, Medica
Kara O’Connor, Edward Jones
Patricia Thraen, Peter Kiewit Foundation
 
PAPILLION:
Mark Stursma, City of Papillion
 
WAYNE:
Brittany Webber, State Nebraska Bank & Trust

 
For more information on the NE Chamber Foundation’s Leadership Nebraska, please contact the NE Chamber at (402) 474-4422 or visit www.leadershipnebraska.com.