Candidate Profiles

I do not believe that it is applied fairly and consistently without regard to racial and economic status. Further, the cost of the application of the death penalty due to delays, litigation, appeals, etc. makes it substantially more expensive than life without parole. This also limits closure for the families of victims. I support life without parole.

This is an issue that merits additional study at the national level. If it is, in fact, useful for pain control, particularly for patients with terminal disease, I would defer to the doctor's opinion. This is not currently an issue for the state legislature due to federal law.

I support the state negotiating on behalf of all of our citizens for discounted drug pricing. This is particularly important in the case of citizens currently without health insurance.

Yes, although I do not know if this is possible or practicable. By allowing merchandise to enter our state without sales tax, we shift a greater tax burden onto businesses which have a physical presence in our state, thereby placing them at a competitive disadvantage. We need to support businesses who have made an investment in our state and who employ our citizens. Businesses located in Nebraska create jobs, provide services, support education, and pay taxes.

This issue needs study. We may need to stop collecting or reduce taxes on telephone calls not made from a computer. I support a fair and equitable tax environment.

I support the right of local entities to enact taxes on the citizens that they represent, but there needs to be balance and representation. Citizens need to be involved and participate in the control of local government.

If growth in current programs (Medicaid) continues at its current rate, funding will have to be cut for other government services such as K-12 schools, the University system, roads, corrections, law enforcement, etc. or there will need to be tax increases. I support the adoption of preventative and wellness programs, and I believe that in the future individuals will become increasingly responsible for their health choices including smoking, weight control, excercise, and maintenance of chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Proper health maintenance and behavioral choices can reduce the need for exceptional health care expenses. Patients who participate in their drug and medical care choices also can reduce the costs of medical care. In the case of our most vulnerable citizens, we have a responsibility to provide health and human services. I do not support reducing services to those truly in need.

There is not one answer to this "either-or" question. Government programs need to be continually reviewed for efficiency and necessity. Needs change over time, and the application of technology can reduce or increase personnel and other costs.

Yes, with a number of limitations, such as the ones attached to the current bill before the legislature that prohibit the carrying of a concealed weapon at athletic events, political rallies, in courthouses, schools, churches, bars, etc.

Not if the criminal record involves a felony, particularly if it is in any way related to a violent or potentially violent crime.

No, except where the existing public school system is found to be deficient. I am not aware of any K-12 public school districts in Nebraska that fit this definition. To continue to be viable, public education requires broad based tax support.

To the extent that this is possible, yes. However, even a consistent amount of state funding requires constant review and adjustment. I support an increased level of state aid to districts which have high poverty rates and large numbers of English Language Learners. I also support increased state aid to school districts which are unable to provide acceptable school infrastructure including broadband computer access.

Teachers should have a professional development requirement that includes either some form of testing or some form of continuing education requirement.

This may be one way of comparing schools and determining the need of state aid, but other factors such as the local poverty rates and numbers of English Language Learners are important factors as well. There needs to be a method of considering local economic factors that impact school finances and performance.

No, students who are impoverished, those who are not fluent in English, and special education students require additional resources. In addition, rural communities do not achieve the economy of scale that can be achieved in the more populated districts.

No, however, I do support the right of a teacher to maintain order in his or her classroom by having the school administation remove a student who is disruptive or violent.

In cases of extreme behavior or criminal actions, yes. There can and should be alternatives provided by the districts for these few students, but it is sometimes necessary to expel students from the regular schools.

It depends upon the cause of the "high cost". As I indicated previously, I don't believe that it is reasonable to expect all schools to provide education at the same price. I also do not support "one size fits all" solutions to matters such as educational costs.

Yes. I support local control of education. I support action by the Legislature to resolve the conflict in the current laws. I also support an adjustment in the state aid formula to address the concerns of the Omaha Public Schools related to high poverty rates and English Language Learners.

Where it is possible, I support teaching basic subjects to children in their native language as a path to learning English and entering the mainstream of the school curriculum. It may not be possible to "require" schools to always teach children in their native language. I support expanding the use of computer assisted learning and distance learning particularly in language and special content subjects.

No, but I do support assuring every school access to broadband computer internet access. Desktop computers are less expensive, generally more durable, more versatile, and more easily upgraded than laptop computers.

The reduction in the polar ice caps and the receding glaciation worldwide are convincing evidence that global warming is actually taking place.

I support the formulation of an energy plan for the next fifty years. The plan should be reviewed and updated periodically. Nuclear energy is one of our options, but advances in other technologies including hydrogen, methane, wind, solar, ethanol, etc. must also be considered.

The economic and environmental impact of animal confinement farms must be monitored. We need to measure and control their impact on air and water quality, and we need to monitor the effects of animal confinement with regard to the treatment of the animals and the threat of pathogens such as BSE "Mad Cow" disease and H5N1 "Bird Flu".

No, but I do support finding a method of making health insurance available to all citizens in Nebraska. Life insurance can be purchased by a person regardless of marital or domestic status.

I support the current program, the Nebraska Advantage program (LB312), but I believe that the benefits should be available to ALL of Nebraska's businesses regardless of size or the population of the county in which the business is located. Small business is one of the major engines of job creation and economic development. Nebraska based businesses do not leave or move their facilities out of state or overseas when times get tough.

I support the limited use of tax dollars to leverage and increase private funds for this purpose.

While I support the state honoring its current obligations, I believe that the ethanol industry in Nebraska will continue to grow and develop as oil continues to rise in price without additional incentives. Support in the development of e85 ethanol distribution might be warranted.

This may be one way to build and replace the declining health care availablility in rural Nebraska. Other options might include mobile clinics and some type of distance consultations (tele-medicine). The solution to declining health care options in rural areas will need to be multi-faceted.

There needs to be some form of health insurance available to all the citizens of Nebraska. It may not be possible for the state to directly make this insurance available.

Yes, however, there may not be a simple formula to achieve this. Malpractice lawsuits are one of the components (of many) that are driving up the cost of health care. We need to be careful not to artificially limit the legitimate needs of patients affected by malpractice.

Illegal immigration needs to be controlled for security reasons, but not specifically at the state level. As long as we lure immigrants with jobs and living conditions that are significantly better than those in their home countries, we will have a difficult time controlling illegal immigration.

Due to the proliferation of languages in the United States, it is sensible that English be established as the official language in laws, courts, etc. We have to realize and accept, however, that many American citizens speak other languages and that this in no way diminishes their citizenship. I support official translations for use with non-English speaking Americans, and I support local governments and jurisdictions who feel the need to communicate in the predominate local language where this is not English.

I do not feel that providing an official transalation of ballots to other widely spoken and written languages is an undue burden on government.

Possibly, however, this answer might be too simplistic. We have an established history of law and equity, and answering "Yes" may not apply to all cases.

I would not support its prohibition, but I do not encourage or support its expansion.