Nebraska lawmakers have advanced a bill that would cut $1.5 million from Grand Island's costs of moving the State Fair there from Lincoln.

Senators spent Monday evening on the second round of debate on the measure (LB224), which would credit Grand Island for the money needed to move ball fields to make way for a fairgrounds parking lot.

Grand Island is supposed to contribute $8.5 million to the expected $42 million cost of moving the fair.

Sen. Tom Carlson of Holdrege, chairman of the Agriculture Committee, said lower-than-expected construction bids for work on the new fairgrounds make the deal possible. "We're getting more facilities for less money."

Senators voted 33-3 for the bill, but not before an argument about whether Grand Island was getting out of its commitment.

"Grand Island said they'd pay $8.5 million, and now it's $7 (million)," said Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber, who questioned whether the city knew all along they'd have to move the fields.

The state will sell Grand Island some 80 acres of land for a negligible cost to relocate the fields. Corn grown on that land currently generates revenue for the state, raising concerns about the lost revenue from some lawmakers.

Lincoln has been home to the State Fair for 107 years. The fair moves to Grand Island in 2010.

State Fair Park will be handed to the University of Nebraska, where officials envision a mix of public and private research facilities that will bring high-tech jobs to the state.

The university will pay about half the $42 million cost of moving the fair. In addition to Grand Island's contribution and $5 million from the state, the State Fair Board will put up $7 million.

Sen. Mike Gloor of Grand Island said despite all the complexity and multiple agencies involved, the fair move is going smoothly, with a minimum of controversy -- "except maybe in these halls."

And whether or not some senators like the move, it's happening, Gloor said. "The horse is out of the barn."