Local, state control question raised again

Local control is good.

Local control is bad.

We've been wrangling with the issue since before the United States was a country, but we're still trying to find the balance.

The latest example is a bill to simplify the permit process for establishing or expanding large feedlots.

Proponents point to Nebraska's status as a top beef producing state, saying it will encourage an important industry.

Opponents say it takes local control away and leaves counties and local communities out of the decision-making loop.

Each Nebraska county has the power to set its owns standards for feedlot permits, but Sen. Dan Watermeier's bill would create a state-level board that could hear appeals of county-level decisions.

That idea has divided even rural senators, like Sen. Ken Schilz of Ogallala who supports statewide regulation to encourage livestock development, and Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte, who at first opposed the bill, but then worked with the sponsor to allow mediation between producers and counties.

In the end, the bill advanced with a compromise, which would create optional statewide standards, created by the state, county and university that the county could use as guidelines in granting permits.

If the bill makes it into law, it will likely be more useful in litigation over denied permits than satisfying either pro- or anti-livestock development constituencies.

In the end, answering the local vs. state control question will have to wait for another day.