NEChamber Road Show stops in Sidney

SIDNEY -- Representatives of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce stopped in Sidney Thursday.

The stop was part of the Nebraska Chamber Road Show. Issues discussed include energy production, sales tax and paid sick leave.

Todd Bingham, new President/CEO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, outlined the vision of the Chamber during the Sidney stop.

"From a vision standpoint, the Chamber really we focus on three key areas right now. Obviously, we're the voice for business in the state. We spend a lot of time at the Legislature, at the Capitol. We also do a lot with our federal delegation. And so we spend a lot of time on issues that are important to you with your congressman and/or your senator," Bingham said. 

Bingham said the Road Show is also a "listening tour."

"These are some great tours that we've been doing around the state. I've really enjoyed it, obviously as the new guy getting to know the local Chambers, and getting to know the people that are here, but most importantly Hunter is doing some reporting on some issues that you guys chose that are important to you," he added.

Hunter Traynor, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs and Legislative Policy Efforts, talked about the importance of taxes in policy making.

"Taxes are the, in my judgment, most important area of policy making; not just at the local level, not just at the state level, the national level as well. Taxes tell a story. Taxes influence decision making. Some taxes are better than others," Traynor said.

He said there is a joke in tax circles that an old tax is the best tax, because people hate taxes so much they will get rid of bad taxes.

He added people hate property tax because it is transparent. He said there hasn't been a new property tax since the late 1960s.

For more information about the Nebraska Chamber, see  https://www.nechamber.com/