Elimination of School Lobbyists
Schools should utilize their highly paid superintendents to lobby the legislature, not use state aid to pay for lobbyists. There is existing precedent: Nebraska Statute currently prohibits schools from using state aid for lawyers.
- Thirty-seven Nebraska public entities spent $1.3 million in taxpayer money on lobbyists in 2008.
- In 2008, LPS spent $79,918 lobbying the Legislature, more than any other public school district in the state.
- In 2007 LPS spent $96,358, dwarfing Omaha Public Schools' comparatively paltry lobbying budget of $67,750, even though Omaha has 12,000 more students and 25 more schools than Lincoln.
Teacher Benefit Packages
LB 612 was introduced in 2009 session, remains in Retirement Committee. I also conducted an Interim Study on the issue to investigate the practices of public high school districts in their salary packages and benefits to their administrators.
- The Bill & Study were prompted by inequity in LPS’s handling of Administrative benefit packages. 6 Administrators received an across the board 4.5% salary increase, along with teachers, as well as additional benefits, including increased contribution percentages to NPERS, retirement contributions reimbursed by the school district, cellphone, laptop allowance and merit pay.
- LPS is currently seeking a new administrator. Outgoing Administrator Susan Gourley’s salary was $240,ooo – but these added benefits brought her administrative salary nearly $18,000 over base.
- This perk was approved by the Lincoln School Board during a Board Meeting in which the Board did not follow their standard procedure in approving measures and waived a Second Reading of the proposal, thus limiting the public's notice. While the Board did act within its policies on the vote, I certainly question the fairness and economic responsibility of this increase.
- I strongly support teachers; I strongly support public schools. What I question is the fairness and economic responsibility of these perks.
Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA)
This issue was brought to attention by parents who did not feel their students were receiving fair treatment from the NSAA. I introduced Interim Study 121 to investigate the governing practices of the NSAA.
The NSAA currently manages high school activities and athletics for 312 Nebraska public and private schools, totaling nearly 78,000 of our youth.
The NSAA currently operates as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. However, through membership and activity participation fees, the NSAA collects taxpayer funds in the form of state aid to schools and should adhere to Open Meetings and Open Records laws. The NSAA is a state actor when it formulates and enforces public policy. They should be held to high standards of transparency.
The NSAA has not evolved with the times. District lines date back to the 1920’s and ran along railroad lines. The current composition of districts range from anywhere between 2,500 to 38,000 – with each district representing one vote.
Of the 117 individuals working for the NSAA, about 100 are men; ethnic minority representation can’t be determined.
Statutory organization is necessary to ensure that districts are equally proportioned; women and minorities, public and private and athletic and fine arts interests are all equitably represented in the NSAA’s managing and legislative boards.
SCHIP: Tax Returns
SCHIP was the centerpiece of major legislation passed by the body last session – LB 603. The eligibility level was raised from 185% to 200% of the Federal Poverty Line.
Nearly 5,300 additional children are now eligible for healthcare.
If we can determine which families are eligible for SCHIP, we can launch a targeted campaign to get their kids enrolled.
We would collect information from the Department of Revenue – this is information they are already authorized to have – and transfer it to the Department of Health & Human Services. We can then send application materials directly to families who qualify.
Rebate Cards
Crafting legislation to do away with mandatory general-use pre-paid debit cards which are issued rebates. I have a collection of cards that each carry under $2.00. Businesses won’t honor them because split-tender payments are time-consuming and confusing.
Eliminating administrative fees from any checks, cash or general-use pre-paid debit cards issued by a retail business as part of a rebate, incentive or customer loyalty program.
Will leave intact store credit cards, which are aimed at return sales at a specific retail store.
I’m not concerned about the .25 cents that remains on my card, but the hundreds and thousands of hardworking consumer dollars that are returned to businesses every year.
DNA Testing
LB190 was introduced last year to bring Nebraska in line with 47 other states in the collection of DNA at felony conviction.
The bill reported out of the Judiciary Committee favorably, was attached to a larger crime bill, and was ultimately pulled from consideration because of the price. It currently sits on General File.
I am pleased to report that Attorney General Bruning and I have been working together to make this Legislation a reality during the 2010 session. The Attorney General will be transferring funds from state settlements to underwrite this legislation.
DNA collected will be stored in the state crime lab, as well as the FBI’s CODIS databank system.
Increasingly useful tool as we move into a technological age where genetic fingerprints can be useful in closing cold cases, exonerating the innocent and identifying missing persons
Community Transition Program @ Lincoln Regional Center
In April 2009, the Regional Center inexplicably closed a cutting edge rehabilitation program aimed helping our community’s 17 most treatment-resistant patients who suffer from persistent and disabling psychiatric conditions.
I introduced an Interim Study, LR 136, to further investigate the Community Transition Program and determine what course of action should and must be taken.
The Regional Center closed the program in violation of Nebraska Law, which required them to notify the Governor and the Legislature.
I have been working with the HHS Committee, my Lincoln colleagues, independent psychiatrists, affected families and Department administrators to determine how we can care for these patients who were abruptly displaced.
I recently toured the Regional Center and have a better idea of the setting for our behaviorally and mentally fragile.
I am hopeful that together with the Health & Human Services Committee we can find a solution that addresses this problem.
Sudan Divestment
Currently parked in Retirement Committee
This bill demonstrates Nebraska’s condemnation of the genocidal atrocities in Darfur, Sudan
This bill instructs the Nebraska Investment Council to divest Nebraska funds from Sudanese companies or companies doing substantial, material business in Sudan. Divestment does not apply to investment accounts that are employee directed.
23 Cities (Chicago, LA, Cleveland, Denver, Minneapolis, DC), 27 States (Kansas, Iowa, Colorado, Wisconsin); and 61 Universities (Harvard, Case Western Reserve, Georgetown) currently have a divestment plan.
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Jeff States was installed as the new state investment officer during the Special Session. I am hopeful he will be responsive to this legislation.
Elimination of Public Money to Post-Secondary For-Profit Schools
Schools such as Kaplan, ITT, Vatterott College and Joseph’s College of Beauty should not receive state aid.
Back to School Sales Tax Holiday – NOT INTRODUCING
One of my favorites, it would provide immediate savings to families on their back to school purchases by offering tax free purchases of schools supplies, clothing and computers. The sales tax holiday could be coupled with other deep discounts, providing consumers and retailers benefits alike.
Each year, we are reminded how our neighbors to the east and south enjoy sales tax holidays – I’m tired of seeing Nebraska plates in Council Bluffs parking lots.
However, the bill is consistently given an expensive cost estimate by the fiscal office. I am mindful of the current economic climate and I have decided to pull this bill from my plate. However, when time is right, it’s coming back.
