Chambers, economic developers support key workforce bills

​LINCOLN – Calling February 21 -25 “Workforce Week” in the Nebraska Legislature, a coalition of chambers and economic developers is urging support for a variety of bills before the Appropriations Committee over the next 10 days. The bills are proposed to enhance workforce recruitment, retention, training and gainful, full-time employment opportunities for all Nebraskans and others seeking the Good Life in Nebraska.
 
LB1167, introduced by Senator Mike Flood, is the cornerstone of workforce initiatives promoted by the “Good Life Game Changer” coalition, comprised of the NE Chamber, Nebraska Economic Developers Association, the Greater Omaha Chamber, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, and the NE Chambers Association.
 
The bill targets $50 million in one-time American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to boost Nebraska’s primary internship, apprenticeship, and workforce training programs.
 
“How Nebraska will fill tens of thousands of open positions in our growing, key sectors is quickly becoming the biggest economic question Nebraska will face over the next two decades,” said NE Chamber President Bryan Slone. “ARPA funds present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to align strong programs, educational institutions and the business community in one vision to spur re-entry, reskilling, and upskilling, as well as attract and retain young talent in Nebraska careers.”
 
LB1167 proposes to:

• Triple InternNE funding with a one-time infusion of $30 million in ARPA dollars through 2024;
• Boost annual funding for apprenticeships and workforce training by 60% with a one-time appropriation of an additional $20 million in ARPA funds through 2024; and

 
The call for action to boost workforce is apparent in other proposals sought by critical sectors coming out of the pandemic and scheduled to be heard by the Appropriations Committee over the next 10 days, including:

• LB1063, appropriating $5 million in ARPA funds to increase apprenticeships and premium pay, with a focus on those who became unemployed or underemployed during the pandemic;
• LB1055, appropriating $55 million in ARPA funds for premium pay to frontline nurses;
• LB1089, appropriating $60 million in ARPA funds to Medicaid-certified nursing facilities for supplemental incentive payments for direct-care staff, as well as recruitment and retention;
• LB1269, appropriating $10 million in ARPA funds to repay qualified educational debts for eligible health professionals under the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act;
• LB1066, appropriating $33 million in ARPA funds to expand behavioral health acute care beds, including training and educational opportunities for workers;
• LB1203, appropriating $54 million in ARPA dollars for retention, recruitment and salary supplements of early childhood professionals, plus about $35 million more to support licensing and accreditation, as well as outside contracts to boost training, capacity and educational resources; and
• LB1085, appropriating $5 million in ARPA funds and $1.3 million in general funds to expand career and technical education programs including Future Farmers of America, Future Business Leaders of America, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), Health Occupation Students of America, SkillsUSA and Educators Rising.

 
The NE Chamber supports all of the workforce priorities above.
 
In January, the NE Chamber unveiled the “Good Life Game Changer” policy priorities in partnership with several chambers and economic developers across the state. The priorities take advantage of once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunities and federal recovery funds to help Nebraskans, their communities, and their employers compete better globally over the coming decades.  Learn more at nechamber.com.