Neb. plan could hike economic development spending

LINCOLN, Neb. - Voters will decide whether cities should have leeway to use more types of tax dollars to help bolster economic development.

A proposed amendment to the state Constitution would let governments such as city councils ask local voters for permission to use revenues from sources other than property and sales taxes for economic development. The constitution currently restricts cities and villages to using only general tax revenue for economic development programs.

New sources could include state or federal dollars, or fees and surplus funds.

Amendment One was proposed to help rural communities that are struggling to keep businesses and people. Former Gov. Charles Thone is among those supporting the measure. There was no organized opposition.

Dozens of small communities across the state have drafted economic development plans and are looking for ways to pay to implement them.

The proposal is one of two proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. The other would prohibit state and local governments from giving preferential treatment to people on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity or national origin.

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