OMAHA- Lawmakers gave the approval to a bill that will send more than $400 million to North and South Omaha for recovery and revitalization efforts. LB531 was approved thanks to a 37-8 vote, and if signed will go into effect the following day. This is a follow-up bill from last year's session that adds more money to the area to specifically focus on revitalization efforts.

State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, the bill’s introducer, grew up in North Omaha and said his main focus while in office is economic recovery for that area. He said the projects funded through LB 531 will aim to reduce poverty and crime rates and improve educational and health outcomes. “North Omaha is not a charity case for wealthy individuals to act as our saviors,” McKinney said.

Most of the money would be distributed through the Department of Economic Development to some of the 367 proposals submitted during an earlier phase of the project last year. LB 531 identifies a handful of those proposals to receive guaranteed money, including $20 million for a Malcolm X museum and another $20 million for local health centers.

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