2007
Week 18
May 5, 2007

Hi

Prayer in public places. Does reference to the “voice of God” fit? I realize it is a metaphor, but I feel it is misleading for the legislature. We are surrounded by voices. Singular, loud, dulcet, deceptive, authoritative, gentle. To me, God is a presence, not a voice. A sense of place, providing the arena in which the voices may be heard. And measured. I do not need a stained glass voice or words in Old English script. I need support to have the confidence of being a child of God, unafraid to listen to all and ready to evaluate the voices.

I have the opening prayer Tuesday, May 8. (All of our sessions are on the web, live, but I do not get many Amen shouts from the D. C. beltway.) The script so far:

“Gracious God, thank you for another beautiful day. However, in these life-affirming days we are looking at an intimidating agenda. It has a strange variety of subjects. Not one of us understands them all. We hear commenting voices from outside the chamber, from persons who do not have to comprehend the network which laws become. From some we hear complaints about taxes but not about services. Others complain about services without comment on taxes. We hear voices from the young and happy, voices of hurt and despair, of hope and trust, of anger and frustration. Not one of us knows all of these persons or fully understands them.

“However, in this place we have colleagues who do understand the network, with at least one on each subject who has expertise. We have staff members who research the connections and at least one person who will raise a flag when a potential conflict emerges. We gain unexpected support. We have colleagues who truly care, which is what counts most. Thank you.

“Lord, keep us alert to your presence and wisdom. Help us to be the body which will produce what you can bless. Amen.”

Following are some of the agenda items on which we are expected to vote. Subjects which were not advanced for floor discussion are not included.

Boiler inspections Open meetings Municipal financing Vehicle loads Hunting on the Internet Criminal background checks Inheritance tax distribution Licensure of geologists Intimidation by communication devices Animal abuse Services for victims of autism Alcoholic liquor liability Special education services Revenue system for community colleges Removal of junk cars Land surveyor regulations Value-added agriculture Funding health care for elderly Qualifications for providers for blind and visually impaired How judicial records may be verified Omaha schools Interchange of judges in shortage situations Inhaling certain hallucinogenic compounds Regulation of tobacco manufacture Alcohol tax Regulate retirement plans created for school employees Penalties for accumulation of junk Rural elementary schools Responsibilities of parenting Family military leave Taxes on vehicles Taxes on home construction Taxes on wages Change telecommunication regs Scrap tire management Rural health education Medical assistance payments College scholarships for low income youth Sex crime offenders Rabies control In-home health care Liquor Control Commission Recreational liability Illegal vegetation management Vehicle operation licenses Sale of alcohol to minors Control of minor kegger parties Regulate martial arts Rural energy development Employment security Donation of transplant organs Fire and rescue regs Age of responsibility for minors River basin administration Medical malpractice regulations Legislative salaries School breakfast reimbursement Campaign regulations Taxes within Indian reservations Foster Care management Control of health care facilities Road construction

Lord, help us!

Lowen