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Rev. Debra Tompsett-Welch

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Krusin' the Capitol

By Nebraska State Senator Lowen Kruse

2004
Week 16: Postscript
April 23, 2004

Hi

Will try grading the legislature, as I see it. Grades are traditional A to F.

A - Mental Health delivery system reform
B - Balance the current budget without tax increase
D - Face the future deficits
B - University and Colleges, oversight and funding
C - K-12 Education, budget and philosophy [Committee gets an "A"]
D - ETV support. Funding is dangerously short, but the staff are the true "Energizer Bunnies."
C - Long range planning, especially to ease future budgets
A - Protection of water resources. Really difficult task.
F - Screwing around with the low level waste lawsuit. Way too much politics. Could have been settled anytime in the last several years.
B - Managing time to get through priorities. Very heavy agenda.
A - Casino discussion. Decision so-so, but debate was excellent.
F - Dealing with LB 775 [tax incentives]. Total block.
A - Domestic violence and child abuse legislation. Good focus, strong consensus.
A - Setting aside time-consuming controversial bills of no heavy import: cloning, motorcycle helmets, concealed weapons, free fishing for the elderly, lethal injection for executions, specialty license plates.
C - Ethanol production incentives. Corn growers will get ten cents or more in added price, but do not want to put one penny on paying for new plants. Everyone stands around and watches. It does benefit the whole state.
C - State Fair funding. We have been chintzy and we still are. Lottery? O my. All we have to offer.
A - Public Transportation - revised procedures for future evaluation and support. My idea. My bill. It surely got shot at, but everyone stood firm.
D - Drug and alcohol. No new fees. No treatment. Lots of expenses ahead.
A - Working on the uninspiring details of dry, mundane laws. We have attorneys and staffs who are sticklers for the fine points of a wide variety of laws. Very important work, but not noticed and certainly unsung.
C - Changing the age of majority, so married 18-year-olds, for example, can rent a home or decide on their medical treatment. They can decide on their baby's care, but have to find a parent for their own choices. Excellent research and work done, but it was too complicated to handle in a short session.

From my four years of experience, our sacred cows are alcohol, drugs, roads and business tax incentives. We cannot talk about them, and anyone who dares bring one of these subjects up is met with stony silence.

All in all, I am impressed with how much work can be done by such a diverse group. We are a bunch of fairly independent creatures, with more than the usual amount of aggressiveness and drive. I reported on two who could not let the other have any kind of win, but the remarkable thing is that the other senators, while strongly disagreeing on this issue or that, see each other as colleagues who have a few good ideas.

The public good is central in everyone's mind. I can think of two or three who are too set on one special interest, but again, it is surprising that the rest get past that.

We do have some built-in blocks. Nearly everyone in the legislature pays state income tax. That is the "requirement," set up by the citizens. If you do not have a good source of income, don't try survival in the legislature. Sad. Several drop out because they cannot afford the privilege. So income tax increases are not likely to be given fair thought. We did vote an increase last year, which again shows good will.

On quite another matter. Since I will not be sending this email during the summer, let me put in a word for a once-in-a-lifetime treat. No matter how old you are or expect to be. Lewis and Clark come to Missouri River towns this summer, 200 years later.

The major "Signature Event" for Omaha area will be July 31 to August 3. During those days, Lewis and Clark were stalling a bit, hoping to have their first contact with Indian Nations leadership. It was hunt time, but the next in command came to a site near present Fort Calhoun on August 3. Our observances and celebrations will lead up to that final day at Fort Atkinson, on the edge of the village of Fort Calhoun. We are sure of 100,000 people coming, but no one can possibly tell how many more. Die-hard trekkies from across the nation are following the Signature Events.

We will also have events at Dodge Park - on the river, and even at Elmwood Park - no where near the river. It has good facilities to handle a crowd, but it was a two-hour walk from the river and surely had no part in any early history. Humorous.

I went to a kickoff of sorts, where leaders thanked all those who helped in the "Back to the River" program: trail building, research, artwork, and historical markers. We will have several impressive sculptures, the smallest weighing seven tons. Truly surprising. This crowd has worked creatively and hard.

Details of specific events will be on the web under a dozen Lewis and Clark sites. Tourist centers will have brochures. I urge that you do not miss taking part in the remembrance of the amazing Corps of Discovery.

Have a good summer,

Lowen

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