THE CONFERENCE:

Candidate Survey (11/2006)

Legislative Issues

NCC/Publications:

  -NCC Statements &

   Current Issues

Medical Treat-      ment Decision-

making (1/06)

  -Bishops' Statements

    *Behavioral Health

     Statement (2/05)

  -Capitol 

   Correspondent:

    Columns-2007

    Past Columns

  *********

PRO LIFE:

Calendar of Events

Current Issues

NE Catholics for Life

  -NCL Newsletter

  -A People of Life Brochure

Life Insight: 

  Columns-2008

  Past Columns

Preg. Help Centers

Project Rachel

2008 PL Conference

2007 PL Conference

Student Conference

Walk for Life 2008

Printed Resources

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Education Issues:

The NFCSP

Education/Legislation

Action Alerts!!

Newsletter: 

 Parent Advocate

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Abortion should be prohibited in all cases. Life is a gift from God, starts at conception, and ends with natural death. I believe it is wrong to take innocent life.

Oppose

Using taxpayer funds forces people to be a part of something that they believe is absolutely wrong.

Support

The use of fetal tissue for research and treatment is unethical and immoral. This tissue comes from an act that is wrong, so then the use of this tissue is wrong also.

Government can promote economic development to an extent, but the main effort on this should come from the private sector. Lower taxes and less government would be the best changes we could make to bring about greater economic development.

Left Alone

The family farm is very important to our state, and needs to be protected. We need to find ways to get people back on the family farm.

Oppose

There are certain crimes against society that warrant the death penalty and this law needs to be upheld.

Education-expense tax credits?  Support

Education vouchers?  Support

Comments: Parents should have a choice as to where they send their children to school. This would help tremendously.

I support this, and it should be left to the local community to decide what they want.

Distribute birth-control information?  Oppose

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose

Counsel/refer for abortions?  Oppose

Comments: Abstinence is what should be taught and the parents should be involved.

I support the right-to-farm laws. Livestock producers must use reasonable and common sense management practices to keep down odors and dust. Taxes or license fees should not be imposed on producers to implement regulations.

Oppose

Life starts at conception and ends in natural death. Ending life in any way is morally wrong.

I do not think that the government should be in the health care insurance business.

Support

Live human embryos are a gift from God. The use of these embryos for research is both immoral and unethical.

Support

No fault divorce laws make it too easy. We need tougher divorce laws and counseling should be a requirement before a divorce is allowed. We must promote sound family values.

Support

People who support and belong to these organizations already pay their taxes.

Oppose

Government cannot do everything for all people. Certainty causes people to be comfortable. Uncertainty causes people to make things better for themselves.

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Only in the case if the mother's life is in jeopardy.

Oppose

Support

LB 1222, my priority bill for value-added economic development and LB 1348 address this issue by providing grants to those in production agriculture by adding value to products produced by farmers and ranchers.

Modified

Oppose

If I could be convinced that a criminal who has been sentenced to life without parole—I would consider such a proposal.

Education-expense tax credits?  See comments

Education vouchers?  See comments

Comments: Currently many of the parochial and public schools are sharing their resources. I applaud this attempt to work together for the good of the communities. I would reserve my support for either system until we can be assured that it would pass constitutional approval. The Supreme Court in the State of Florida just recently overturned their voucher system.

Because the small rural schools have proven that they do provide a quality education, I will continue to support their existence.

Distribute birth-control information?  Oppose

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose

Counsel/refer for abortions?  Oppose

LB 822, introduced by the Natural Resources Committee, adopted zoning regulations that deal with environmental concerns. I voted in support of this legislation because with zoning regulations you can address environmental concerns.

Oppose

As a public policy initiative we must work towards reducing the increasing cost of insurance and prescription drugs. People should not have to choose between eating or paying for health care.

Support

No Position

No response

Support

Support

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Exception for life of the mother.

Oppose

Support

No response

No response

Oppose

Would consider it.

Education-expense tax credits?  Support

Education vouchers?  No response

No response

Distribute birth-control information?  No response

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose

Counsel/refer for abortions?  Oppose

No response

Oppose

No response

Support

Support

No response

Support

Support

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Abortion should be prohibited in all instances unless the life of the mother is seriously at risk.

Oppose

Tax payer dollars are sparse and need to be placed in their highest need, i.e., education, property tax relief and infrastructure improvements.

Support

The aborted child has already suffered enough indignity. Let's not create another justification for the taking of an innocent life.

Tourism attractions. Greater access to public lands, hunting, fishing camping areas. Casino gaming subject to local election.

Modified

The perceived crisis which brought about Initiative 300 no longer exists. Antiquated legislation continually needs to be revised not only in regards to agriculture, but also in estates, juvenile and criminal law, as well.

Oppose

Imprisonment for life without the possibility of parole is crueler than a penalty of capital proportion. Restricting a judge's sentencing options diminishes the responsibilities of that office.

Education-expense tax credits?  Support

Education vouchers?  Support

Comments: Catholic schools relieve the public school system of many students. A modest stipend should be allocated to these children to assist with books, lunches and/or physical education.

The state is under an obligation to educate all the children of Nebraska.

Distribute birth-control information?  Oppose

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose

Counsel/refer for abortions?  Oppose

Comments: Elementary age children have enough problems trying to figure out who and what they are and do not need to be confused with adult diversions.

The USDA and the state's 23 NRDs are already addressing this issue and further legislative action would be premature.

Oppose

No response

Need more information.

Support

Working families need not be second class citizens.

The court system could truly examine if "all reasonable attempts at reconciliation" has actually occurred.

Support

I am still waiting for religious oriented schools to be reimbursed for savings they have created for the public school system.

Support

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Abortion should only be legal when the life of the mother is in danger.

Oppose

Support

I supported passage of the Rural Economic Opportunities Act and the Beginning Farmer Act to help rural communities. I support additional initiatives that encourage value added production and diversification, like organic farming, wind farms and tourism. We can support rural health programs and continued development of distance learning and telecommunications.

Left Alone

My primary focus is on crime prevention, particularly violent and capital crime. My greatest concern is for the victims of crime. The Legislature is currently conducting an extensive evaluation of all Nebraska capital cases to determine how our system is working. I want to examine the study results before making changes.

Education-expense tax credits?  Support

Education vouchers?  Oppose

Schools are vital to the existence of our rural areas. Cooperation and efficiencies must continue to be implemented in these and all schools. The increased use of distance learning through telecommunication can help.

Distribute birth-control information?  Oppose

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose

Counsel/refer for abortions?  Oppose

Uncovered animal waste lagoons pose health and environmental danger from leaking, run off, flies, odors and over application. I have sponsored and supported several legislative bills to address the problems. The Natural Resources Committee that I serve on, is currently assessing what more needs to be done next year.

Oppose

I supported the "Kids Connection" legislation to provide health insurance for children, the "Every Woman Matters" screenings and rural health initiatives. The cost of prescription medications is a growing problem, for the elderly especially, that we must address.

Support

Support

We can encourage more high school classes that teach about marriage and family. Marriage license fees could be reduced for people who successfully complete approved pre-marriage counseling. Arizona recently established a program called "Family Builders" that could be examined for Nebraska use.

Support

Support

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Prohibited in instances other than to save the mother's life.

Oppose

Support

We as a state should also support alternatives to the use of aborted fetal tissue in order that the research continue.

Economic diversification is important in economically depressed areas.

Left Alone

Oppose

Although I have grave concerns regarding this issue, I believe at this time you would need to retain the death penalty for certain instances. I am looking forward to the completion of the legislative study on this issue.

Education-expense tax credits?  See comments

Education vouchers?  See comments

Comments: I need more information. Namely how exactly your plan would work and where will the funds come from for your plans. I went to Catholic schools and I hope to send my son and daughter to Catholic schools as well, but I don't believe in supporting private at the expense of public schools.

Quality public education should be accessible to all Nebraskans.

Distribute birth-control information?  Oppose

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose

Counsel/refer for abortions?  Oppose

Comments: As a parent, I think this is an issue for the family not the state.

Due to the nature of my district, I would not take the lead on swine waste management. I would however, wish to safeguard our environment against those who show no regard for our health and safety.

Oppose

I have supported legislation to allow for aggressive pain management which should answer the main argument of those who wish to legalize euthanasia.

I have supported in the past and will continue to support greater accessibility to affordable health care.

Legislation to prohibit destruction of live human embryos for purposes of obtaining their cells for experimentation?

Support

I would like information as to alternatives to the use of this tissue.

Support

The state should promote an environment that allows marriages to thrive.

Support

Support

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All unborn children should be protected by law. Abortion remains an unacceptable alternative. Some medical procedures used to save a mother's life may result in a miscarriage, but should not be considered as an abortion.

Oppose

Under no circumstances should tax dollars be spent for any activity that supports abortion.

Support

We need to find alternative research material. I am concerned that in some cases a person groping for answers may justify an inappropriate decision by focusing on the donation rather than the actual extermination of a human life.

I will work to attract larger employers to the larger metropolitan areas AND provide tax incentives and regulatory relief for the satellite industries to locate in Nebraska's rural communities. Regulatory relief should be granted the intra-state trucking industry in order to facilitate the transfer of product from the rural suppliers.

Modified

I support the modification of Initiative 300 to help young farmers and ranchers receive the necessary assistance to begin farming and ranching in Nebraska. I support the free enterprise system and would not be opposed to a public vote to modify Initiative 300.

Oppose

My job will be to represent the people of Nebraska. The majority of the people support the death penalty, therefore until we can come up with a better answer I need to represent the views of the majority. I am not comfortable with the taking of a human life and would work to find alternative answers.

Education-expense tax credits?  Oppose

Education vouchers?  Oppose

Comments: The current approach requires extreme state compliance by private and religiously-affiliated schools and would ultimately defeat the purpose by homogenizing the educational process and diluting the character and uniqueness of the private schools. All children must be provided with an equal opportunity to receive the very best education available. I fully support parents having the option of choosing the elementary and/or secondary schools, including parochial schools, which they feel are best for their children.

Schools in the small rural communities are often times the lifeblood of the community and can be supported by consolidating the school districts and eliminating the multiple duplication of administrative activities throughout the entire state.

Distribute birth-control information?  Oppose

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose

Counsel/refer for abortions?  Oppose

Comments: Schools are not intended to take the place of parents. Children have different levels of awareness and understanding and require personal private parental guidance at the appropriate age, time and place for the individual child. Sex education without religious reference would not be appropriate.

Water contamination from irresponsible waste management programs cannot be tolerated. It is in the best interest of all livestock producers to voluntarily implement sound waste management systems and for county zoning laws to zone for orderly development of livestock facilities.

Oppose

Abortion, assisted suicide and euthanasia are all activities that could be considered as undermining and being in conflict with the basic moral foundation and structure of our society.

Health care providers should be afforded a less restrictive environment in order to better serve health care recipients. Preventative care programs should be promoted. No one should ever go without health care because of limited financial resources.

Legislation to prohibit destruction of live human embryos for purposes of obtaining their cells for experimentation?

Support

Research that destroys embryos is taking the life of a person or has the potential of taking the life of a person according to Sister Renee Mirkes, director for the Center for NaProEthics in Omaha.

Support

We are a nation of immigrants and should welcome and provide equal opportunity to all the deserving people that qualify and enter the country legally.

"No-fault" laws have made divorce too accessible. The so-called marriage tax penalty laws need to be changed and programs should be designed to strengthen the family. Reward-based legislation should replace penalty-driven laws.

Support

Full support for all legitimate organizations.

Support

We have a responsibility to provide our youth, our elderly, our disabled and the less fortunate among us with hope, opportunity and compassionate care. We have an obligation to protect our way of life and our free enterprise system and leave a better place with more opportunities and positive choices for our children.

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Abortion should be prohibited except when the life of the mother is threatened. The child produced by rape or incest is just as innocent as the one produced by a loving couple. However, if allowing an exception for pregnancies by rape or incest would make possible an immediate agreement to save the remaining 97 -or-so percent of fetal lives, I would make that deal rather than let the 97 percent be slaughtered when they could be saved.

Oppose

I oppose spending tax dollars unless the abortion is necessary to save the mother's life.

Support

See next answer.

Modified

Is it hurting family farmers more than it helps? I don't know the answer yet. Small producers must be able to pool their resources and develop commercial relationships to the degree necessary to compete in a global market. If 300 is preventing that - thus putting family farmers at a severe disadvantage - then it must be modified.

Support

I support repealing the death penalty and replacing it with mandatory life, no parole.

Education-expense tax credits?  Support

Education vouchers?  Support

No position without knowing the per-pupil cost to the state.

Distribute birth-control information?  Oppose

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose

Counsel/refer for abortions?  Oppose

No position, though operators certainly are going to have to satisfy lawmakers that their operations are environmentally sound.

Oppose

I would have to do extensive research before answering a question this broad in 50 words.

Legislation to prohibit destruction of live human embryos for purposes of obtaining their cells for experimentation?

Support

Support

Although I need to know the exact meaning of "newly arrived" and "have access to." Immigrant labor is crucial to Nebraska's economy. We should welcome immigrants willing to be productive contributors to the Good Life. Most of us, at some point in our family histories, have followed the same path to the American Dream.

For too many people, marriage is little more than a social convention, and a child is a mere byproduct of intercourse, not a welcome responsibility for which spouses prepare themselves emotionally and economically. Yes, the government has an interest in the stability of marriage. Marriage is the institution on which our society is built. However, I'm not sure government can solve the societal problem of the increasing instability of marriage. This is a matter of personal values and cultural attitudes rather than legislation.

Support

The best way to help struggling workers achieve a decent standard of living is to help them acquire skills for the many well-paying jobs going unfilled in our economy. I would be a strong advocate for job training supported by a reasonable package of transitional benefits.

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I do not anticipate Roe v. Wade being overturned. Public policy should always reflect the will of the people, which I will work hard to know.

Oppose

Oppose

I am committed to working with anyone to reduce abortions, in Nebraska and in the nation. I do not see this as helpful in this. We need more dialog, less shouting.

I would work closely with senators representing rural constituencies to know what would actually help. This is a major concern. I was a farmer and I value rural communities.

Left Alone

Support

I support the change only if the churches, synagogues and other good people can bring public consensus to that point. The deterrence of crime depends on public attitude.

Education-expense tax credits?  Support

Education vouchers?  Oppose

Comments: I support options in education, but if public schools become weak we are all in trouble.

Strongly support.

Distribute birth-control information?  Support

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose

Counsel/refer for abortions?  Oppose

Comments: Schools should provide information and should refer any student who needs help the school cannot provide. I strongly oppose any counselor recommending abortion and find too many who force decision on students.

Safe and clean water and air are essential to healthy living. This is classic government responsibility, since we cannot do it by ourselves.

Oppose

I strongly support adequate health care coverage for all Nebraskans. Prefer to do this through public policy, but examine what it takes.

Legislation to prohibit destruction of live human embryos for purposes of obtaining their cells for experimentation?

We need restrictions, but I would have to see that it does what it says and is not publicity only!

Support

Stable, healthy families is a high priority for us. I will give serious attention to good proposals.

Support

Support

Too many earnest people can not make it under our present plan. It is to our advantage to help all who want to make the transition and that means some front-end help.

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No response

Oppose

Oppose

Economic development for rural towns, property tax relief, benefits for ag workers!

Modified

To provide owner of land the opportunity for wider selling capabilities.

Support

Education-expense tax credits?  No response

Education vouchers?  No response

Keeping schools open, with adequate teachers (paid fairly) — but less administration. (refer to Syracuse Report 1982)

Distribute birth-control information?  Oppose

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose

Counsel/refer for abortions?  Oppose

No response

Oppose

This is a medical liability issue, as well.

Everyone should have access to health care. Nebraska spends no dollars on public health and too many people, children and poor, still are falling though the cracks of health care.

Legislation to prohibit destruction of live human embryos for purposes of obtaining their cells for experimentation?

Oppose

Support

Easily available help with counseling and intervention.

Support

Support

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To the extent currently regulated.

I oppose directly paying for abortion with state funds.

Oppose

Continue to support.

Left Alone

Oppose

Education-expense tax credits?  Oppose

Education vouchers?  Oppose

We need to have some small, rural schools due to our geographic diversity of population, but in cases where schools are close together and savings could be realized by joining together (such as parts of Eastern Nebraska) consolidation should be strongly encouraged.

Distribute birth-control information?  Oppose

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose

Counsel/refer for abortions?  Oppose

Undecided

Oppose

We should continue to support programs such as Kids Connection that assist populations such as children that need assistance.

Legislation to prohibit destruction of live human embryos for purposes of obtaining their cells for experimentation?

I would need more information.

Support

None.

Support

Support

We need to support the programs we have in place.

Back to Top

Totally except for the life of the mother.

Oppose

Support

We should continue to offer incentives to companies to locate in rural Nebraska as we passed last year in LB 936, which I co-sponsored.

Left Alone

Oppose

I oppose at the present time because I am not confident that life without the possibility of parole would be implemented.

Education-expense tax credits?  Support

Education vouchers?  No response

Some small schools have no choice because of their location. Otherwise have to consider affiliating or consolidation.

Distribute birth-control information?  Oppose

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose

Counsel/refer for abortions?  Oppose

I proposed last year that any company who violates our environmental laws should lose any tax incentives. We must protect the health and welfare of our citizens.

Oppose

I believe that we are addressing that concern at the present time but we must continue to seek improvements.

Oppose

Support

It is my understanding that all of the above are being implemented at the present time. I know that they are in my immediate area where we have a great number of immigrants.

We should not give in to those who are trying to destroy the sanctity and meaning of marriage between a man and a woman and private family life as we have known it.

Support

Support

We are working towards this end at the present time. Must continue our effort.

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I am pro life. I do make the exception in the cases of rape, incest, and life of the mother for the mother to decide. Even though I would be against the abortion I would leave it open in these cases because a one-size-fits-all answer maybe isn't the right approach in the severest of circumstances. I would never allow partial birth abortion.

Oppose

Support

I have always been against the use of elective aborted fetal tissue for research. I have said that I wouldn't cut funding for important research immediately, if researchers are legitimately searching for alternative sources that can be used in the very near future. Seven months have passed since I initially made that statement. When the bill comes before the Legislature this coming session, to ban elective aborted fetal tissue for research, I will strongly support and vote in favor of the ban.

We need to consider and study possibility of less reliance on property tax. Offer incentives to individuals helping new farmers or business getting started. Possibly larger economic development grants to businesses who will locate in rural areas. We need to make sure all existing laws are enforced in the agriculture community to ensure we keep our farmers.

Modified

Possibly stronger wording and enforcement.

Oppose

Education-expense tax credits?  Support

Education vouchers?  Support

Comments: I generally support this concept nationally. However, I don't have quite as strong of feeling for it in Nebraska because our schools are generally better.

We must absolutely keep our schools if any way possible. In most rural communities if the school goes, so does the town. Our schools need to do their part to be efficient and streamlined. If this is done I will fight to the end for ours schools.

Distribute birth-control information?  Oppose

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose

Counsel/refer for abortions?  Oppose

Comments: These are parental duties. If a student can't go to their parents they need to talk to priest, pastor or family friend.

I am against the mega facilities, but we must be careful, because many of our local farmers belong to co-ops that can get large and we need to let them operate. This is a rural area. I would also keep in mind the water issues and try to do the best I could to satisfy all issues.

Oppose

This is a very complex issues. I would need much more information before making a decision. In general, I do not believe it is the responsibility of government to provide health care, however I am very concerned about our seniors being able to afford the high price of prescription drugs. I would like to work on and help solve this problem.

Support

No Position

First they must be legal immigrants or they should have no benefits. I would probably support most other issues if they were in the process of becoming citizens.

The main issue at stake here is the no-fault divorce law. This should probably be reconsidered.

Support

These same organizations should at the same time not become active with the use of their money to pursue a political agenda.

Support

I support all of this as long as the welfare recipient is honestly trying to be self-sufficient and get off welfare.

Back to Top

In all cases except to save the life of mother.

Oppose

Definitely oppose.

Support

I believe we need to do all we can to provide greater economic development in Nebraska. I co-sponsored and supported LB 936 and LB 1348. We need to provide more grants and tax incentives for businesses in rural Nebraska.

Left Alone

Oppose

Education-expense tax credits?  Support

Education vouchers?  Support

Local schools are very important in maintaining the vitality and integrity of rural communities. The 18th district which I represent has many schools of this type and I know how important this issue is to my constituents.

Distribute birth-control information?  Oppose

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose

Counsel/refer for abortions?  Oppose

We need to protect our natural resources.

Oppose

All Nebraskans must have access to affordable healthcare. My family and I are dealing with the serious illness of my wife, Mary. Fortunately our insurance is covering a majority of the staggering costs of her treatment. The income from our family farm could not begin to cover the costs of her care. So to me, access to affordable health insurance is a must for all Nebraska. As a state senator and member of the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee, I have used my position to help my fellow senators understand the problems faced by those of us who live in rural or small town Nebraska. It is important they understand that for us, clinics, doctors offices and hospitals are not just down the street and they need to be reminded that the economic health of small-town hospitals is vitally important to the overall survival of our small communities. State government should do all it can to assist communities to recruit healthcare professionals for their hospitals and clinics. I support those efforts.

Support

I strongly support legislation to prohibit the destruction of live human embryos for the purposes of obtaining their cells for experimentation.

Support

I believe they should be legal immigrants.

We need to do a better job of instilling traditional values in our children. People need to understand that the only way a society grows and prospers is if we respect each other and follow through on the commitments we make to one another. As a state senator I will promote values and responsibilities I mentioned here.

Support

Support

I support giving a helping hand to people who are making the transition of moving from welfare to work. I support efforts to fund job training, childcare and other programs so long as funding may be found without requiring tax increases.

Back to Top

Abortion should be allowed only where it is necessary to save the life of the mother.

Oppose

I have worked for the last four years to deny any funds to any organization that provides for, pays for, promotes or subsidizes abortion and will continue to do so.

Support

No response

Repealed

Oppose

Education-expense tax credits?  Support

Education vouchers?  Support

The State Constitution provides (Article VII, Sec. 1) for the free instruction of all persons between 5 and 21. The manner is not specified so innovation can take place. The State is obligated to educate and location is not an exception. We must maintain the small rural schools until a viable alternative is adapted that recognizes the unique character of the State.

Distribute birth-control information?  Oppose

Dispense contraceptives?  Oppose

Refer for contraceptives?  Oppose