Krusin' the Capitol
By Nebraska State Senator Lowen Kruse
2004
Week 8
February 27, 2004
Hi -
Woe is us. Big time. The Nebraska economic forecasting board projects lower
revenues for the next year and a half. Last Fall they said to prepare for a
$210 million deficit on June 30, 2005. We in the Appropriations Committee
have been planning for a $240 million shortfall. Today they instructed us to
change our figure to $315 million.
That is huge. Especially after we have whacked off $$ in every direction and
have tapped our reserves a bit. We can do a little more of that, but the gap
left is truly scary. We will have to cut human services which will create
desperation among some and will force many to go to the county, which is the
payer of last resort. That of course just transfers the load to property taxes.
Argh.
The worst part is that we will be forced to make some cuts which will cost us
more than we save. Over the next five years, in certain cases a $100 cut
will cost us $500 in future taxes. Any business person would borrow money to
access that sort of pay back. However, we cannot borrow money. You have heard
my sad song before. Sorry about that.
Found a few more Nebraska rankings. In the "largest porch swing" category,
Nebraska ranks #1 (18 adults wide). In giving help for low-income
entrepreneurs, per capita, we rank #3. How about that! And in all aspects of Unicameral
government -- smartest, dumbest, most generous, most thrifty, most
representative and most beautiful: we are #1.
Since I am too discouraged to write more tonight, will quote Senator Chambers
from the Omaha Star, our local Black newspaper. I like his way of stating
his philosophy about public service.
"A public office does not exist for the benefit of the one who occupies it.
It is a public trust that carries obligations and responsibilities to the
public.
"The office holder serves his or her constituency. But people need to
understand that "to serve" does not mean to serve as a slave -- that whatever people
tell you to do, you must run out and do it. I'm not a puppet. I'm not an
echo. And I'm not afraid.
"In running for the Legislature, I made my beliefs clear and told people they
were commissioning me to use my intelligence, to inform myself on the issues,
to gain knowledge of the system, then to exercise my best judgment. It is
not my role to reflect ignorance on these matters.
"......People do not know the issues in most cases. One thing they all know.
They would not want to be mistreated or abused in the way they might want
others to be mistreated or abused. If they belong to an unpopular religion,
they wouldn't want their rights to be disregarded and crushed down because people
say their religion is violent, hateful and ought to be stamped out.
"They would want, and expect, me to come to their aid. And I would."
Yea, verily. I am more committed than ever to "do the right thing." That
does require the wisdom, advice and support of friends. I thank you!
Hang in there,
Lowen
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