Publication of proposed constitutional changes begins this week

Nebraska voters will decide whether to amend the Nebraska Constitution and create several new laws during the Nov. 3 General Election. 

These proposed changes appear on pages 7-8 this week and will appear for two more weeks to publicly notify voters of the proposals. 

Two of the proposed amendments were added to the ballot by the Nebraska  Legislature and four amendments were added by initiative petition. 

The first proposal from the Legislature would remove any language pertaining to the use of slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishment. 

The primary goal of their second proposal is to lengthen the number of years for a Tax Increment Financing project,  from 15 years to 20 years. 

Initiative 428 would limit payday lenders from charging no more than 36% annual percentage rate on advances. 

Initiatives 429, 430 and 431 all deal with allowing casino gambling at Nebraska’s horse racing tracks. 

One is a constitutional amendment to allow gambling. The other two create governing laws if approved.