LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A measure to ban wage discrimination in small businesses has advanced in the Nebraska Legislature despite some opponents who say it would create unnecessary hurdles for entrepreneurs.

Lawmakers gave the bill first-round approval Wednesday on a 26-7 vote.

Nebraska’s Equal Pay Act already prohibits wage discrimination based on sex, but it only applies to businesses with 15 or more employees. Workers in smaller businesses must take complaints to the federal commission.

Advocates say the bill would allow all wage discrimination complaints to be handled through the state, which is less expensive and less arduous than a federal complaint.

Opponents say the bill would burden small businesses by requiring them to keep more records and hire lawyers.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Volunteer firefighters and paramedics in Nebraska could get a tax break under a bill advanced by a legislative committee.

Members of the Revenue Committee voted 8-0 on Wednesday to send the measure to the full Legislature for debate.

The bill by Sen. Al Davis of Hyannis would allow volunteer emergency responders to claim a $250 credit on their state income taxes. Davis says the bill is intended to recognize the work of volunteer emergency responders, who frequently have to sacrifice work, family and vacation time to be on call.

Rural Nebraska relies heavily on a patchwork of volunteer services throughout the state. Many departments have struggled to recruit younger volunteers to serve as firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A legislative committee is looking to make changes to the property tax plan championed by Gov. Pete Ricketts, but has not yet decided how to proceed.

The Revenue Committee took no action Wednesday on the bill during an executive session at the Capitol. Sen. Mike Gloor of Grand Island, the committee chairman, says he wants to move forward slowly to ensure the package doesn’t create unintended consequences.

Gloor says senators have concerns about part of the plan that would limit the aggregate statewide growth of property valuations to 3 percent annually. He says lawmakers are exploring other options to minimize the sharp property tax increases that aggravated farmers in recent years.

Gloor says he’s confident the committee will advance a property tax package this year

A former customer service leader for Walt Disney World® will speak in North Platte on March 23.

Dennis Snow will give a presentation at 9 a.m. in the McDonald-Belton Theater on the North Platte Community College South Campus. Tickets to the event are $20 each and can be purchased by calling 535-3678.

“Area businesses have a chance to set the bar high on creating customer experiences,” said Angela Raby, area director of the Mid-Plains Center for Enterprise. “Dennis’ training is proven to teach businesses the tricks of a customer service master and get their teams excited about the process.”

Snow’s customer service abilities were honed over 20 years with the Walt Disney World Company. There, he developed a passion for service excellence and the experience he brings to the worldwide speaking and consulting he does today.

Snow began his Disney career in 1979 as a front-line attractions operator. He managed various operating areas in the park as he advanced through the company, learning and applying the skills it takes to run a world-class, service-driven organization.

Snow launched a division of the Disney Institute responsible for consulting with some of the world’s largest companies including ExxonMobil, AT&T and Coca Cola. During that time, he presented to audiences in locations around the world such as South Africa, Australia, Mexico, England and Argentina. The division quickly became the fastest growing venture of the Disney Institute and experienced repeat business of nearly 100 percent.

Snow also spent several years with the Disney University, teaching corporate philosophy and business practices to cast members and the leadership team.

While there, he coordinated the Disney Traditions program, which is universally recognized as a benchmark in corporate training. In his last year with Walt Disney World®, Dennis’ leadership performance was ranked in the top three percent of the company’s leadership team.

Today, Dennis is a full-time speaker, trainer and consultant who helps organizations achieve goals related to customer service, employee development and leadership. Some of his clients include Huntington Bank, BMW Financial Services, Florida State University and Johns Hopkins Hospital.

His articles appear in a number of industry publications, and he is a featured guest “expert” on customer service on several business news-talk radio shows. He is the author of the book, “Lessons from the Mouse: A Guide for Applying Disney World’s Secrets of Success to Your Organization, Your Career, and Your Life.”

Snow’s visit to North Platte is possible thanks to Mid-Plains Community College, the Mid-Plains Center for Enterprise and the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation.

 

A North Platte man is facing several charges after he allegedly used a stolen check to purchase electronics, then returning junk electronics when the owner requested them back.

On March 1, at around 5:30 p.m., an officer with the North Platte Police Department responded to the report of a forgery and theft at Express AVL, 1108 Rodeo Road.

It was reported by the owner of the business that, on February 29, Timothy Dike had purchased approximately $1,000 worth of electronics from Express AVL using a check that had been stolen.

The business owner contacted Dike and told him that he wanted the electronics returned to him.

The owner said Dike agreed and brought numerous boxes to the store.  However, when the owner looked inside the boxes, they were filled with junk electronics, not the original products sold to Dike.

Officers made contact with the owner of the check, a family member of Dike’s, who stated that they did not give Dike permission to use or take the check.

Police made contact with Dike at a residence in the 2200 block of West 16th Street, where he was placed under arrest.

The owner of the residence gave officers permission to search the home, and Investigator John Deal says most of the stolen electronics were recovered, but some are still missing.

Following an interview, Dike was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

He’s been charged with felony forgery, felony theft by deception (returning bogus items), and possession of stolen property.