Read the full article on KETV 7
Youth sports advocates across Nebraska say many projects are stalled as they await action from the governor under a state financing program designed to support sports complexes and arenas.That spurred a pair of bills, heard before the Nebraska Legislature’s Revenue Committee on Wednesday, that advocates say could streamline the approval process. Both bills would tweak the Sports Arena Facility Financing Assistance Act, a turnback tax incentive program intended to spur economic development tied to sports facilities.Jeff Weak, executive director of the Wolfpack Sports Foundation, said youth athletics are booming in the state.”It’s going crazy,” Weak said. “It’s recession-proof, actually.”But lagging approvals for the turnback tax program, which would create a special district around the eligible sports complex, make it difficult to carry on, Weak said.”Some of these projects are waiting 18 months to just get an answer. Being in limbo is the worst,” he said.Under the law, projects must go before Gov. Jim Pillen, who has final say, and others on a board for temporary approval. Pillen has declined to weigh in on many projects, citing concerns over what he’s referred to as “loopholes” and “carveouts” in the program. The delays have prompted bipartisan legislation aimed at changing how the program operates.State Sen. Teresa Ibach, of Sumner, introduced LB1116, which would impose a 30-day deadline — or “shot clock” — for grants that have already been awarded to move forward.State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln introduced LB918, which would take a more direct approach regarding the governor.”My proposal is very simple,” Conrad said. “It says, let’s keep in place this unique, common-sense smart financing tool that would allow more economic development and more youth sports opportunities. And let’s take the governor out of the picture.”Pillen’s office did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday afternoon. Supporters of the incentive argue it’s not a carveout.“We only get to eat what we kill,” Weak said. “If we don’t bring a developer with a hotel or restaurant that generates sales tax within our district, new, as part of the project, we don’t get it.”Backers of the bills say speeding up or restructuring the approval process would provide certainty to developers and communities seeking to capitalize on the growing youth sports market.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
Youth sports advocates across Nebraska say many projects are stalled as they await action from the governor under a state financing program designed to support sports complexes and arenas.
That spurred a pair of bills, heard before the Nebraska Legislature’s Revenue Committee on Wednesday, that advocates say could streamline the approval process. Both bills would tweak the Sports Arena Facility Financing Assistance Act, a turnback tax incentive program intended to spur economic development tied to sports facilities.
Advertisement
Jeff Weak, executive director of the Wolfpack Sports Foundation, said youth athletics are booming in the state.
“It’s going crazy,” Weak said. “It’s recession-proof, actually.”
But lagging approvals for the turnback tax program, which would create a special district around the eligible sports complex, make it difficult to carry on, Weak said.
“Some of these projects are waiting 18 months to just get an answer. Being in limbo is the worst,” he said.
Under the law, projects must go before Gov. Jim Pillen, who has final say, and others on a board for temporary approval. Pillen has declined to weigh in on many projects, citing concerns over what he’s referred to as “loopholes” and “carveouts” in the program.
The delays have prompted bipartisan legislation aimed at changing how the program operates.
State Sen. Teresa Ibach, of Sumner, introduced LB1116, which would impose a 30-day deadline — or “shot clock” — for grants that have already been awarded to move forward.
State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln introduced LB918, which would take a more direct approach regarding the governor.
“My proposal is very simple,” Conrad said. “It says, let’s keep in place this unique, common-sense smart financing tool that would allow more economic development and more youth sports opportunities. And let’s take the governor out of the picture.”
Pillen’s office did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday afternoon.
Supporters of the incentive argue it’s not a carveout.
“We only get to eat what we kill,” Weak said. “If we don’t bring a developer with a hotel or restaurant that generates sales tax within our district, new, as part of the project, we don’t get it.”
Backers of the bills say speeding up or restructuring the approval process would provide certainty to developers and communities seeking to capitalize on the growing youth sports market.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
