Several days ago, Lincoln Sen. Danielle Nantkes referred to her stalled movie-related bill as “The Never Ending Story.”

On Tuesday, the story ended — after more than six hours of second-round debate, Nantkes asked that the measure (LB235) be pulled from the agenda until at least March 1.

Nantkes told senators she didn’t have the 33 votes necessary to end a filibuster by Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers.
“I want to be clear,” she said. “My passion about the underlying principles has not waned. Hopefully this will not be the final curtain. Rather we will have a chance to regroup and come forward with a cleaner bill.”

The bill, which would give 25 percent rebates to movies and commercials filmed in Nebraska, had begun its journey with a $5 million annual cap. By the end, Nantkes had agreed to cap the total credits available each year to $2.5 million a year, in order to win more votes.

She had pointed out that 27 films and commercials generating more than $32 million in economic impact were produced in Nebraska between 1991 and 2001. These included “The Indian Runner,” “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” and “O Pioneers!”

Nantkes modeled her bill after Oklahoma’s successful 15 percent rebate program.

Senators debated the bill for almost 6½ hours before Nantkes sent it gracefully into the wings.

Opposing senators, like Chambers, didn’t want to spend any more money on tax incentives.

“I don’t like any of them ... these boondoggles and scams,” he said.

But Sen. Tom White of Omaha said senators’ opposition to the bill showed “lack of faith in the talent and ability of some extraordinary people who call this place home.”

By NANCY HICKS/Lincoln Journal Star
Tuesday, Feb 05, 2008 - 07:18:23 pm CST

http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2008/02/05/news/politics/doc47a8f902...

Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com