NEWS RELEASE
January 17, 2007

Contact: Jessica Watson 308.380.1756 or 402.471.2630

(Lincoln, NE) Nebraska State Annette Dubas (34th Legislative District) introduced legislation today that will provide that no train shall occupy or block any public street or intersection in cities of the first and second class, villages and unincorporated areas. LB 676 raises the violation at blocked intersections from a ten dollar minimum fine to a $500.00 minimum fine and from a $100.00 maximum fine to a $5000.00 maximum fine. Antiquated state statute does not provide an enforcement mechanism.

NEWS RELEASE
January 17, 2007

Contact: Jessica Watson 308.380.1756 or 402.471.2630

(Lincoln, NE) Nebraska State Annette Dubas (34th Legislative District) introduced legislation today to freeze the school district boundaries in and around Grand Island in the event that the city of Grand Island would annex the Northwest School District under a proposal introduced by Senator Ray Aguilar today. Under Senator Dubas’ proposal the annexed territory will remain a part of the school district of which it was a part immediately before the date of passage of the annexation ordinance. Senator McDonald, also representing the Northwest area, is co-sponsoring the legislation.

By Nate Jenkins/The Associated Press

LINCOLN - Motorists could soon have more than expletives to throw at trains that block busy intersections.

Should a state senator get her way, their concerns would carry legal weight - and up to $5,000 in fines each time a railroad crossing is blocked for more than 10 minutes.

“They're not happy I'm dropping this,” Sen. Annette Dubas of Fullerton said about railroad companies' reaction to the bill, (LB676) she introduced to the Legislature Wednesday.

Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (LB 232)

I strongly believe that rural economic development is one of the best tools in the toolbox when it comes to fighting the Brain Drain. We have to continue to grow our towns and retain our young people. We have to create opportunities to grow businesses and economies. In 2005, the Legislature passed the Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act. The act supports economically depressed rural areas of Nebraska in building entrepreneurial communities through grants that will create community capacity to build and sustain programs to generate wealth in the community and region (NE Stat 81-12,126).

Publication Date: 01/12/07
LINCOLN -- A bill aimed to support economically depressed rural areas in Nebraska has been introduced by state Sen. Annette Dubas, who represents the 34th Legislative District.

Dubas' bill is designed to shape the Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act, which supports economically depressed rural areas of Nebraska with building entrepreneurial communities through grants.

Lincoln, NE--- Nebraska State Senator Annette Dubas (34th Legislative District) introduces a bill that shapes the Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act to better assist economically depressed rural areas. The purpose of the 2005 Act is to support economically depressed rural areas of Nebraska with building entrepreneurial communities through grants. The program is designed to create community capacity, to build and sustain rural programs, and to generate and retain wealth in the community and region. Matching requirements have been an obstacle for potential applicants since its inception. Senator Dubas introduced LB 232 which proposes to continue the dollar-per-dollar match requirement by communities who apply for funding, but to reduce the cash match requirement from 50% to 25% if communities can show that they are a limited resource area. Planning grants may also be awarded to limited resource areas for the purpose of establishing partnerships and developing proposals for submission. In addition, LB 232 adds language to add a new program objective to establish community initiatives to attract new residents.

The 34th Legislative District consists Merrick, Hamilton, Nance,Polk and parts of Hall counties. Approximately 34,000 people reside in the district. Primarily composed of ag land, the district boasts of economic opportunites for small buisness owners and entreprenuers to find a start. Central Nebraska is a great place to raise a family.

Click here to download a map of the district.
You can see the portion of Hall County by Clicking here.