Four state senators lent their support to the University of Nebraska’s “Building a Healthier Nebraska” legislative initiative by serving as primary sponsors on the four bills to launch the initiative.
The initiative calls for a one-time allocation of $91 million from the state’s cash reserve. The primary sponsors of each bill are:
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An artist’s rendering of a comprehensive cancer center that would be built on UNMC’s Omaha campus thanks to the support of the University of Nebraska’s “Building a Healthier Nebraska” initiative. |
- Sen. Galen Hadley of Kearney who sponsored LB 1055, which will support construction of an expanded facility for health sciences education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney;
- Sen. Tony Fulton of Lincoln who sponsored LB 1065, which will support construction of a new facility for the College of Nursing-Lincoln Division;
- Sen. Tom Hansen of North Platte, who sponsored LB 1066, which will support construction of a new veterinary diagnostic center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources; and
- Sen. John Nelson of Omaha, who sponsored LB 1089, which will support the construction of a research tower that will be part of a proposed comprehensive cancer center on the UNMC campus in Omaha.
“We are extremely grateful to these dedicated lawmakers who have put their support behind an initiative that has unlimited benefits to Nebraskans and people throughout the world,” said UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D. “Their support will be absolutely vital to the success of this project.”
In addition to Sen. Nelson, Sen. Hadley and 13 others senators co-sponsored the LB 1089 — which requests funds for the research tower construction. The bill’s other sponsors were:
- Kathy Campbell of Lincoln;
- Tanya Cook of Omaha;
- Abbie Cornett of Bellevue;
- Brenda Council of Omaha;
- John Harms of Scottsbluff;
- Burke Harr of Omaha;
- Gwen Howard of Omaha;
- Bob Krist of Omaha;
- Paul Lambert of Plattsmouth;
- Steve Lathrop of Omaha;
- Amanda McGill of Lincoln;
- Jeremy Nordquist of Omaha; and
- Norman Wallman of Cortland.
“The support indicated by these senators for LB 1089 is most appreciated,” said Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs. “The cancer research tower is a key component of the transformational comprehensive cancer center.”