LINCOLN, NE – Today, Senator Amanda McGill designated LB 925, introduced by Senator Danielle Conrad, as her legislative priority bill for the 2010 session. This bill would require the employment of Nebraskans for public works projects during periods of excessive unemployment.

“LB 925 is a great way to improve the lives of Nebraskans currently affected by job loss,” said Senator McGill. “We need to look out for the citizens of our own state, and this bill gives us an opportunity to do that.”

Nebraska unemployment rates were at their highest in July of 2009, and are still hovering at just below 5 percent. It was the extraordinary circumstances of this past year that prompted the introduction of LB 925. The bill is targeted at periods of “excessive unemployment”, and defines that as any month immediately following two consecutive months with an unemployment rate of 5 percent.

“We’d like to thank Senator McGill for her leadership and vision on this issue”, said Clint Burge, Business Manager of Local 265 IBEW. “Nebraska families are struggling to make ends meet, and we appreciate Senator McGill’s willingness to support them in these difficult economic times.”

The Business and Labor Committee is currently working on an amendment that will further define public works construction projects, allow for the employment of any person living within a 50-mile radius of such a project, and reduce the definition of excessive unemployment to 4 percent.