LINCOLN- Last Thursday, several representatives from the state's tourism industry testified to the Legislature's Revenue Committee, arguing that the Nebraska Tourism Commission spending authority should be increased by 40% in 2024. Commissioner Rob Sabin, chair of the Tourism Commission, asked the Legislature to increase the authority from its current $7.5 million to $10.5 million.

While receipts have exceeded $7.5 million, said Sabin, commissioners have been unable to use those excess funds. "Nebraska is a sleeping giant in the landscape of U.S. tourism," said Sabin, adding that it's the job of his commission to awaken the beast. Sabin outlined that the spending authority increase would allow the commission to beat inflation, spend the extra balance accrued from reduced spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reach out to and attract populations further away from Nebraska.

State Sen. John Lowe, who requested the interim study, said that he hates spending Nebraska taxpayers' money, but noted that the spending authority increase would come from already raised funds. David Fudge, of the Nebraska Travel Association, echoed Sabin's comments, and requested that the commission's spending authority should be tied to lodging tax revenues so commissioners can "make adjustments on the fly" based on yearly revenue outcomes.

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