Krusin' the Capitol
By Nebraska State Senator Lowen Kruse
2003
Week 21
May 30, 2003
Hi
We are done. Voting, that is. Now for a few weeks of cleanup and then
months of interim studies.
Since I feel long-range planning on systems and budgets are more important
than the budget battles we have been through, I will make my plans the focus of
my wrap-up next week. It is more than another subsection.
'Twas a remarkable week. Very positive and reflective, with more than the
usual sharing among the senators. We overrode the governor's vetoes on Tuesday,
37-12 on three of them and 44-4 on one. One senator chose not to vote, but
would have voted with the majority if his vote had been needed. So we had over
75% majority feeling this is the right thing to do. The 12 did not really
disagree.
It was 23 [of 33] Republicans, 11 [of 13] Democrats, and 2 [of 3]
Independents. A big majority of each group, though party had little to do with it. Some
of the Republicans held back, trying to support the governor, but they had
other thoughts. The governor twisted arms all day, contacting each of the 44 in
his office or in the rotunda, but he and his staff did not change a single
vote. The Republicans are really grumpy with him for not working for a
compromise for the benefit of the state, but that was not a big deal on anyone's vote.
The big deal, said again and again and again: no one has come up with a
viable alternative. Where is a better solution? We all checked with each other,
countless emails were examined, the press gave opinions, the lobby spent days
dissecting any possible plan .... but not one solution that did not seriously
raise property taxes. K-12 schools is where the big money is and where major
cuts would have to come. That messes with property taxes.
In summary, the governor had $200 million in shift to property taxes, which
grew to $300 m. when the school aid was certified. He was an additional $50
million out of balance. How far off is that from our $343 million in taxes? To
be accurate, we shifted $50 m. to property taxes and found about $25 m. in
cuts the governor did not have. Some of this was not wise, but as I said before
we were desperate.
We had about 30 quiet, focussed statements on the floor. Typical was: "I
cannot believe I would ever vote to raise taxes, but we must do this for the
good of Nebraska." "I campaigned against taxes, but I will apologize to no one.
We did our best." "Our rural schools are at a breaking point. I will not
stand for more hurt there and the only option is to support these bills."
I visited with many of the 12 who voted to sustain the vetoes. In every case
they had hoped to tweak the bills a bit more, had no overall solution, and
were glad that the rest were voting to do the necessary. It was a most
remarkable day. We made our peace with each other, reflecting the united recognition
we had no better plan. Old timers said it had to be the toughest session in
our history. With genuine support of each other at the end. Amazing.
Phone calls and emails were generally supportive. The Lincoln Journal gave a
rousing tribute to all. The World-Herald trashed the legislature and the
governor, calling our work "Horrifying." That writer was so out of touch with
reality I sent a reply. The governor and we worked with real budgets and a
three quarter billion gap. The W-H complained about the governor's cuts, about
several of our cuts, and offered no solution. Hello?
I am having my own quiet personal celebration. I lost 20 pounds during
session. Thank you, Dr. Atkins. My puzzle: how come my joints quit hurting the
very first week? I wanted it off on my tummy and that is what happened. Had
my very own grapefruit tonight to really lift my spirits.
May the force be with you.
Lowen
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