John E. Nelson

John E. Nelson (born December 29, 1935) is an attorney and a member of the Nebraska Legislature from Omaha, Nebraska.

He was elected to the Legislature in 2006 serving Nebraska's 6th legislative district. He serves on the Appropriations Committee. In 2009, Senator John Nelson was elected Vice-Chairman of the Executive Board by a 33–15 margin.

Introduced and co-sponsored legislation

LB 697 – Adopt the Entertainment and Tourism Development Act Senator Nelson believes that taxes in Nebraska are too high and part of the problem is the lack of tourism in the state. LB 697 would have created incentives for companies to build tourist attractions in Nebraska provided that those attractions invested at least $20 million in new investments to the state and created at least 75 high paying jobs. A well known amusement park company pledged to build a massive attraction in southwest Sarpy County when the Legislature adopts Senator Nelson's plan.

LB 1165 – Appropriate funds to the Cultural Preservation Endowment Fund The Cultural Preservation Endowment Fund (CPEF) was created in the late 1990s to help create jobs and assist the Nebraska Arts and Humanities Councils. CPEF is a unique and fiscally conservative program which places state funds in a savings account and allows the Arts and Humanities councils to spend the interest from the savings account only if those dollars are matched by private donations. Since the principal is never spent, the state can take back the money in times of economic hardship. With the financial pledge of a well known Omaha philanthropist, Senator Nelson's bill was adopted in 2008 by the Nebraska state Legislature. With a more funded arts culture in Nebraska, national corporate executives are more likely to relocate their businesses to the Cornhusker state.

LB 646 – Election reform The 2006 general election in Nebraska was a slow and tedious process for county election officials creating a system where errors were more likely. Senator Nelson recognized the problem and developed a solution whereby county election officials were better able to process and tabulate ballots efficiently and accurately. The Legislature adopted and Governor Heineman signed LB 646 in 2007. The 2008 general election was conducted more smoothly and efficiently because of Senator John Nelson's changes.

LB 374 – Health care reform With the costs of hospital stays soaring, Senator Nelson made LB 374 his 2007 Priority Bill. LB 374 will lower the costs of in-home health care services and allow individuals to receive medical services in their own home instead of costly hospitals.

References

• "Nebraska Unicameral Legislature". Sen. John E. Nelson. http://news.legislature.ne.gov/dist06. Retrieved March 17, 2009.