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LINCOLN — Nebraska State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh credited “luck of the Irish” for ideal timing that put a bill to create a Nebraska-Irish trade commission up for legislative debate on Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day.
It didn’t hurt either, others noted, that the bill’s architect was Speaker John Arch, who sets the bill lineup and the daily schedule for the state’s law-making body.
As it turned out, Legislative Bill 1087 didn’t need a four-leaf clover intervention. It passed swiftly on a 41-0 vote to the next lawmaking round with a lot of green lights on the chamber’s electronic voting board.
“I’m optimistic we will see opportunity and seize it,” Arch said upon watching first-round approval of the proposal that he expects will open doors for Nebraskans to Irish business and academic exchanges.
The Legislature’s speaker told fellow lawmakers of his recent trip to the “Emerald Isle” where he mingled with business people interested in getting a footprint in the U.S. He said they wanted to know what to do and where to go, and that he foresees the commission as a way to build relationships.
Ireland, Arch said, would be an ambassador that also could build bridges between Nebraska and 26 other countries in the European Union.
If LB 1087 passed, Nebraska would join 25 other states that have formed similar commissions with the nation on the western edge of Europe.
Speaker Arch foresees good fortune in proposed Nebraska-Ireland alliance
Arch made the Nebraska-Irish trade commission his priority bill this session, and Sens. Machaela and John Cavanaugh joined as co-sponsors.
Both Cavanaughs were among those who spoke on the benefits of the measure and they also squeezed in Happy Patty’s Day wishes to those in the chambers — and a Happy Birthday to Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly.
John Cavanaugh joked that it might surprise some to know he is of Irish extraction. “So it’s a great honor and privilege to be a supporter, a cosponsor and to be able to vote for this bill today.”
He called it an opportunity to strengthen relationships between Nebraska and Ireland and to open new markets for Nebraska products.
State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, who chairs the Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, said no one spoke against LB 1087 during a public hearing, though support came from groups including the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the University of Nebraska and Nebraska Chamber of Commerce. The committee advanced it onto full floor debate with a unanimous vote and a couple of minor word clarifications.
The new commission would include representatives from the Nebraska Departments of Agriculture and Economic Development. The governor would appoint members from a Nebraska university, business associations and nonprofits. A state lawmaker from each congressional district, appointed by the state Legislative Council, would serve as nonvoting members.
Two-year appointees would meet at least once quarterly, and, according to the bill, would not be paid except possibly for expense reimbursement if funds were available.
Arch foresees private fundraising and outside grants largely fueling a support fund that the bill would establish. It would be administered by DED. He said the bill would not trigger any state funding.
Machaela Cavanaugh described Ireland as a global leader in technology, life sciences and clean energy that can align with and boost Nebraska’s edge in agriculture innovation, data infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
“For many of us, this connection is personal,” she said, but added that the more formal trade commission is about more than “heritage.”
“In a global economy, states like Nebraska can’t afford to operate in isolation,” Machaela Cavanaugh said. “Ireland is a natural partner. We share language, legal frameworks and a long history of connection that makes collaboration easier, faster and more effective.”
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