Krusin' the Capitol
By Nebraska State Senator Lowen Kruse
2003
Week 3
January 25, 2003
Hi
This job is really fun. Get out on the road an hour before sunrise, find
your way through the snow in the dark, at 10 degrees below zero, so you can
get to a distant office to have someone call you an idiot. The term sort of
fits. But that writer was talking dollars and nonsense, has not a clue what
to do about the budget. Easy to move on from that.
We are developing a real camaraderie of the caged. Really good spirit,
rather than short tempers as we wrestle painful problems. And most citizens
are very supportive. At least 5 to 1 who continue to say "We have to pay our
bills." Quite a few lately who have urged restoring the cuts to income tax.
Impressive, since all the ones who said that have income.
One senator from a very poor county is suggesting we have local income tax to
relieve property tax. Just who in his county will pay this? Do they have
property?!
A quiet in-joke going around the floor: "Let's adopt the governor's budget
and go home early." We know his budget would not work, but so many contact
us to do that -- it is tempting to at least talk that way. A Public Pulse
letter this morning says our "tax more" senators just do not get it. All
they have to do is pass the gov budget. O my. Would be fun to do it if we
could affect only him.
The legislature, in tough times 20 years ago, did that with one of Exon's
budgets. Went home and let him live with it.
This is NOT a knock on the governor. He and his staff and the agencies under
his control have done a first class job of search and cut. Outstanding, and
we will take most of the real cuts.
All of this for the point of the day. It is the governor's job to show us
and the public what it would take in cuts to bridge the deficit. It is
massive and a package with only cuts includes large "cuts" which shift the
cost to counties and public schools. I find it most helpful for his staff to
lay out the problem in its starkest form. As, $168 million would have to be
taken away from public schools. Not one of us wants to do that. Another
$100 m. of suggested cuts would shift costs to counties, cities and
hospitals. Nursing homes, prisons and patrol get more money, not a cut -- as
the reality of these times makes necessary.
So, the budget he presented lays out the stark realities, after all realistic
cuts. It is our job to fill the gap if we do not want to shift costs to
property tax.
One idea from the news: cut the salary of the gov and state legislators by
1% and spread that around to cover the deficits. That of course is not
legal, but let's say it is. I have a better idea. Wipe out the governor and
the senators salaries. This gives us $720,000, which is less than a million.
Hmmm. The $168 m. from the schools would spread a bit further. We are
making dozens of cuts every day in Appropriations Committee, but it takes a
l-o-n-g time to get to a hundred million.
In other news, firefighters wanted us to allow them to take collections in
boots, in the middle of traffic, for causes like muscular dystrophy. All
agreed we want to support our firefighters and this is easy money. But there
is the safety factor and will the House of David sue for being left out on
their good cause? Senators were evenly divided.
It took a Call of the House to get every senator on the floor to decide. As
we were wrapping up debate, several senators began to quietly say to those
nearby how annoyed they have been to have to try to get out some money:
unbuckle, slide forward to get billfold out of a back pocket, put money
through window -- and the embarrassment of holding traffic while light has
turned green. Those side comments were enough to turn the tide. We said no.
So we have proof: senators do have feelings after all.
A couple of you chewed me out, in a kind way, for not asking for donations as
I announced I would run again. Two sent checks. That is appreciated, but be
assured I will give an opportunity in one year, as the deadline approaches.
The deadline on Dec. 31 was for PAC groups.
I appreciate the financial support which many have given, but it is even more
a boost to the spirit. Many of you give me a boost often, through comments,
criticisms, cheers, paying attention. You can boost my spirits anytime, in
any way you choose.
Finally, Ruth and I decided we were old enough to attend our first ever
hockey game last night. By state-supported UNO, of course. We went with
hope, but not with high expectations. Our Mavericks have lost 13 games, 8 in
a row, and were playing Ohio State, boasting a 10 game winning streak, ranked
#6 in the nation, and who have not been shut out since February. Our guys,
gritty by any standard, shut them out, 4-0!
Now if someone will explain the game to us. For example, amidst all those
bruising body blows, what is the definition of "unnecessary roughness"? And
how can I apply that to the bruising floor fights to come?
Hang in there.
Lowen
Back to Top
Krusin the Capitol Index
Home Page
|
