LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska's largest business advocacy group promised Thursday to oppose workplace discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity as part of a broader campaign to attract and retain high-skilled workers.
The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry's announcement was hailed by some state lawmakers who have tried unsuccessfully to ban such discrimination. The Lincoln and Omaha chambers of commerce have supported those legislative efforts, but the state chamber previously shied away from the issue.
The chamber also pledged to fight for statewide broadband internet access, lower taxes, long-term funding for infrastructure such as bridges and roads, and education that helps fill the state's workforce needs.
The chamber said the policies were adopted from Blueprint Nebraska, a statewide campaign to promote business development and expand the economy.
"When we said we're all in on Blueprint Nebraska, we meant it," said Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber.
But a spokesman for Gov. Pete Ricketts, a founder of Blueprint Nebraska, said the workforce discrimination policy was not a part of that group's priorities.
"The governor opposes adding additional protected classes to state law," said Ricketts spokesman Taylor Gage. "The state chamber's press release inaccurately characterizes Blueprint's position regarding new protected classes. The final Blueprint report did not support such a policy change, and the Blueprint steering committee has not voted to support such a policy."