2007
Week 5
February 3, 2007

Hi --

Joke for the Week is also Sad Truth of the Week. In a cartoon, the elected official says to his therapist: “It is SO difficult to hear what the country wants with God talking into my ear all the time.” It is true for anyone. Persons who know for sure what God is thinking are not likely to hear what God may be saying to the rest of us.

My staff is enjoying discovery of what I said in previous floor debate on the fuss about alcohol in communion wine. Turns out that our Nebraska exception allowing minors to have a sip of wine in religious ceremonies is only five years old, and I was one of the sponsors. The transcript reports that I said I did not care a piddle-dee-dip about the adults arguing that restricting drinking for minors could be used to keep teens away from communion. I pointed to the fact that teens should not drink (and communion is not drinking).

Also discovered: even today, with Nebraska added to the list, we have only 17 states that make an exception for minors in religious services. Most ignore it.

The smoking ban hearing this week marked a major shift in public attitude, as witnessed by the chair of the hearing. Many restaurant and bar owners came to the hearing and he was holding his breath as to what might happen. Every one of them said that it is time for a state ban on smoking in public places. There were a variety of reasons, but one comment from a bar witness summarizes the testimony: “It is clear this is the direction the people are going. Get over it.”

I am listing here all of my bills. You can see the intent statement, or the entire bill, by going through the legislative link at the end of my web site, or by going directly to http://nebraskalegislature.gov

-- click on ‘bills and laws’
-- click on 'bill finder'
-- enter the bill number and click on that number on the next screen
-- click on “Introduced” for a full copy

LB 182 Provide supervision of payments to local governments for the transportation of handicapped and elderly persons. Funds come from the gas tax, reduce property tax.
LB 262 Double the minimums for auto liability insurance (set in 1980).
LB 275 Increase funding for biomedical research by $2 million, from tobacco funds.
LB 571 Allow adoption of a child by two unmarried adults. The press has labeled this as the “gay adoption” bill, which is very misleading. It is primarily a child rights act, allowing unmarried parents or adults to give some protection to the child in the event that one parent dies. It would allow an aunt to join in protection of the children of a mother whose spouse has died, with all sorts of privileges allowed the aunt in the event the mother dies. PLUS, my point in the bill, it reduces state budget by reducing the number of kids who become wards of the state.
LB 572 Provides the possibility of state health insurance for librarians whose entire salary comes from state funds.
LB 574 Provides funds for a study of parking around the capitol building.
LB 575 Exempts non-profit assisted living facilities from paying sales tax.
LB 576 Allows rate increases for behavioral health services providers.
LB 577 Provides increased reimbursement to pharmacists for using generic drugs.
LR 7CA Puts in place a vote by the people on increasing legislative salaries. Most persons agree this needs to happen if we are to have a “citizen legislature.” Everyone there at present is ‘sponsored’ by a business, law firm or personal assets. The increase would be by the consumer price index, based on the 1988 salary figure and beginning in 2009 (after all of us long term geezers are out of there). It would be a vote on the cost of living principle, not the figures. The resulting salary in 2009 would be about $22,000. There are no benefits of insurance or pension. Expenses are provided for travel, food and lodging.

Plus, the eight bills referenced in last week's letter:
LB 180 Provide a penalty for removing the purchase tag from a keg of beer.
LB 260 Repeat offenders who refuse the BAC test would be charged with .15% BAC.
LB 261 Removes exemption for minors to drink at church or home, except in a religious ceremony (anywhere).
LB 336 Increases penalties for an adult who procures alcohol for minors.
LB 335 Seriously intoxicated persons could be held for 72 hours in Protective Custody.
LB 337 Fake identification used by minors may be confiscated and given to police.
LB 573 Licensed bars can be sued if a server violated an existing serving law and the patron injured or killed someone, in any manner.
LB 181 Repeals a measure which set the fees for casinos. This moved forward as LB 64 and is ready to pass.

Personal: January is such a drag and it is done. Cheers! At the start of the month I drove the whole way to Lincoln in the dark -- or, as I prefer to say, “Before God gets up.” Now I can enjoy the wondrous beauty of the sunrise.

I am getting too old for steady 14 hour days. My doctor gives me no sympathy, said this week I am in full health. Hmmm. Hard to complain about that!

May your health cheer you on. It is the greatest of our blessings.

Lowen