LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers debated roughly six hours Tuesday before handily advancing a tax incentives package aimed largely at keeping and growing a Union Pacific Railroad workforce after a planned merger with a railroad giant from another state. LB1165, by Sen. Brad von Gillern on behalf of Gov. Pillen, now moves to a second phase in the lawmaking process. The vote to advance was 38-3, with four legislators present but choosing not to vote.

Several senators said they see the benefits of the bill extending beyond Omaha-based U.P., which is in the process of absorbing another Fortune 500 company, Georgia-based Norfolk Southern.

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