Inland Port Authority Measure Advances as Part of Urban Affairs Committee Package

The hopes for Grand Island to earn an ‘inland port authority’ survived a vote at the legislature. The measure was part of an Urban Affairs Committee package increasing the number of Inland Port Authorities in the state from five to eight. It was brought by District 34 Senator Loren Lippincott.

Mike Jacobson of North Platte introduced an amendment to strike the section of the bill allowing for more port authorities.  Stan Clouse of Kearney supported keeping the number at five.   

District 41 Senator Fred Meyer of St. Paul and District 35 Senator Dan Quick joined Lippincott in voting to increase the number of IPA’s.

The measure to keep the Inland Port Authority number at five failed on a 15-15 vote. The expansion bill Inland Port Authority Status could help draw more international trade.

Read the complete report from the Unicameral Update here.