LINCOLN- On Thursday, an updated Economic Recovery Act contained in LB531 cleared its penultimate hurdle and was pushed into its final round of debate. The bill, introduced by Sen. Terrell McKinney, is a multimillion-dollar package designed to uplift North and South Omaha and enhance those region's economies. Among other things, LB531, if passed, will help to fund new projects like the Malcolm X Museum, health clinics, and the Standing Bear Museum.

Also folded into the expansive funding package are updates to the state's Community Development Law, which governs the economic tool called tax-increment financing. "These bills lift our communities up," said Sen. Jane Raybould of the package, which she believes "contains momentum on many different levels." However, not all proposals contained within LB531 were met favorably. Sen. Rob Clements, who chairs the Legislature's Appropriations Committee, was wary of the proposed use of some interest earnings from certain project funds to cover some of the cost.

Sen. Tony Vargas, who represents part of South Omaha, lauded the bill, calling it "a monumental dedication to east Omaha." Originally, many of the proposed projects contained within the bill were studies by Olsson, and were largely accepted by the Legislature. However, Sen. Mike McDonnell, who also represents part of South Omaha, believed only around 90% of the work done by Olsson was good. Specifically, according to McDonnell, Olsson was too quick to overlook the proposed Ernie Chambers Museum, which would be built in North Omaha.

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