A message from the Nebraska Film Association, sent on behalf of President, Mark Hoeger:

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!

As you may have heard Senator (our hero) Colby Coash's LB863 was advanced out of the Urban Affairs committee by a UNANIMOUS vote.

As a supporter and promoter of increased film production in Nebraska, Feb 2nd was a big day.

Your steadfast commitment to this cause is finally paying off. This is the way it works in the Legislature; even good ideas take a few years to get fully vetted.

We think now we have the right Bill, with the right champion, at the right time, but we are still have several laps to complete before the finish line.

THE CURRENT STATE OF LB863

The bill has advanced out of the committee but before it can even come to a vote, Speaker Mike Flood will need to find a place on the packed agenda for a floor debate.

Realistically, especially in a short session, that will only happen if someone prioritizes the bill.

Each Senator only gets to prioritize a single bill each session so it is unfair to expect that from Senator Coash even though he is the Bill's chief sponsor.

But each committee with its chair gets a few extra prioritizings. Plus there are some other legislative maneuvers that could get the bill to a debate and vote without being made a priority.

This is more backstage kind of work, so there is not a lot we can do on the priority issue.

WHAT WE CAN DO NOW

We can start now to build general support for the Bill, so that when it makes it to the floor, Senators have already heard from you.

At some point in the next few weeks contact your state senator.

If you need the contact information:

http://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_list.php

If you're not sure who your Senator is:

http://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_find.php

CONTACTING YOUR STATE SENATOR

Emailing or sending a letter in the mail definitely helps, but it is best to call your Senator's office or even better to stop by (Senator offices are located at the Capitol building).

If the Senator is busy (which is all the time) it is just as good to visit with their staff.

Find out about their position/thoughts on the Bill and what, if any, questions they raise. Please let us know what they say.

BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE BILL, LB863

Attached is the summary.

Stress these three points:

1. Your own reason for supporting film production in Nebraska

2. That this is a modest start that takes Nebraska from nothing to something; it opens the door

3. But this is NOT a "tax incentive." PLEASE! DON'T SAY "TAX INCENTIVE". There are no state funds used or and there is no loss of state tax revenue. The bill simply authorizes local communities to use money they have already collected and set aside for economic development. How they use the funds is up to a direct negotiation between the producer and the local community.

THANKING THE URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, ASAP

We need to flood the Urban Affairs committee with thank you notes for supporting the Bill.

Take some time during the blizzard this weekend to call and leave a message or email everyone of the committee members.

Having the enthusiastic and active support of all the committee members will help tremendously to get the Bill prioritized and to ensure stronger support when the time comes for the floor debate and general vote.

Senators on Urban Affairs Commitee:

McGill, Amanda, Chair Dist. 26, Lincoln
Phone: (402) 471-2610
Email: amcgill@leg.ne.gov

Coash, Colby, Vice Chair Dist. 27, Lincoln
Sheila Page, Legislative Aide.
402-471-2632
spage@leg.ne.gov

Ashford, Brad Dist. 20, Omaha
Phone: (402) 471-2622
Email: bashford@leg.ne.gov

Cook, Tanya Dist. 13, Omaha
Phone: (402) 471-2727
Email: tcook@leg.ne.gov

Krist, Bob Dist. 10, Omaha
Phone: (402) 471-2718
Email: bkrist@leg.ne.gov

Lambert, Paul Dist. 2, Lincoln
Phone: (402) 471-2613
Email: plambert@leg.ne.gov

Smith, Jim Dist. 14, Papillion
Phone: (402) 471-2730
Email: jsmith@leg.ne.gov

After so many years of hitting the brick wall, we deserve a few days of patting ourselves on the back, but only as preparation for the final push to success.

Mark Hoeger
President
Nebraska Film Association

Michelle Schrage
Nebraska Film Association
402-490-4192
michelleschrage@gmail.com