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215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 310, Lincoln, NE 68508-1813; 402-477-7517; nebrcc@neb.rr.com
Focus on public policy from a Gospel mandate, from the Catholic Church's moral and social teaching and from Her concern for the common good.
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Gubernatorial Candidates: Republican, Democrat & Nebraska Party Primary Election, May 2006 Alphabetical by last name under each party. For full text of Questions, click here. CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: Dave Heineman, Republican Abortion If Roe v. Wade were overturned, extent to which abortion should be prohibited in Nebraska? I am opposed to abortion except to save the life of the mother. Using public funds for abortion? Oppose Agriculture/Rural Life Policy changes and/or initiatives to bring about greater economic development in rural communities? We passed a comprehensive jobs creation economic incentive bill that included ethanol incentives and value-added Ag research grants as well as enhanced incentives for projects in rural communities and micro-enterprise tax credits for companies with less than 5 employees in rural communities. We also funded the Rural Development Commission. Death Penalty Repealing death penalty and replacing it with imprisonment for life without parole and with order of mandatory restitution? Oppose Education Education-expense tax credits? Support Education vouchers? Oppose Scholarship donation tax credits? Support Embryonic Research Enacting ban on research that destroys live human embryos for their stem cells? Support Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide Legalizing voluntary, consent-based euthanasia and assisted suicide? Oppose Health Care Role and responsibility of state government in meeting the health-care and long-term-care needs of poor residents? I believe that we need a strong Medicaid program to assist low-income citizens. Concerns about emphasis on community-based services for implementing Nebraska’s behavioral health (mental illness, addictions) system? I am in full support of behavioral health reform and the development of a full array of community-based services. Immigrant Policy Ensuring that (newly arrived) immigrants, who are employed, paying taxes and residing in Nebraska, have access to basic public benefits, regardless of immigration status? Oppose Marriage/Family Life Policy changes and/or initiatives to address social and public costs of failed marriages and to promote stable marriages? I support innovative programs, like the fatherhood initiative, that promote healthy marriages. Tax Policy Preserving tax exemption for qualifying religious, educational and charitable property? Support Welfare Policy “Family Cap/Child Exclusion”--precluding additional cash assistance for children born to mothers already receiving aid for dependent children? I would need more information about the impact of the family cap welfare policy before deciding whether to support this policy or not. CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: Dave Nabity, Republican Abortion If Roe v. Wade were overturned, extent to which abortion should be prohibited in Nebraska? I would sign legislation that would outlaw any abortion in Nebraska with the exception of the life of the mother being in danger. Using public funds for abortion? Oppose Agriculture/Rural Life Policy changes and/or initiatives to bring about greater economic development in rural communities? A water policy that does not harm our irrigators; Changes to the state DEQ to streamline processes and reduce unnecessary red tape. Recruit new ethanol, biodiesel and 21st Century biotech opportunities so there are plenty of markets for our crops. Death Penalty Repealing death penalty and replacing it with imprisonment for life without parole and with order of mandatory restitution? Oppose I believe that we should change the system to provide better legal counsel on the front end of the process so the poor get the best representation and then eliminate the multiple appeals so death-row prisoners do not delay forever their judgment. Education Education-expense tax credits? Support Education vouchers? Support Scholarship donation tax credits? Support Embryonic Research Enacting ban on research that destroys live human embryos for their stem cells? Support Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide Legalizing voluntary, consent-based euthanasia and assisted suicide? Oppose Health Care Role and responsibility of state government in meeting the health-care and long-term-care needs of poor residents? I believe we have an obligation to take care of the poor and needy, but not those capable of working and providing for themselves but won’t work. Concerns about emphasis on community-based services for implementing Nebraska’s behavioral health (mental illness, addictions) system? If the federal government is willing to fund 60% of the costs of community-based services, then we must find a way to be wise stewards of state resources and try and make community-based services work. Immigrant Policy Ensuring that (newly arrived) immigrants, who are employed, paying taxes and residing in Nebraska, have access to basic public benefits, regardless of immigration status? Support Marriage/Family Life Policy changes and/or initiatives to address social and public costs of failed marriages and to promote stable marriages? I am in favor of enabling organizations in the private sector to provide teaching and education to those engaged and those having children to help them become better spouses and parents. We have a parenting crisis in this country. Tax Policy Preserving tax exemption for qualifying religious, educational and charitable property? Support Welfare Policy “Family Cap/Child Exclusion”--precluding additional cash assistance for children born to mothers already receiving aid for dependent children? Support At this point, Nebraska is managing its welfare system poorly and there is a great deal of fraud and abuse. I’d like to see the system streamlined before we make any changes to benefits. CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: Tom Osborne, Republican Abortion If Roe v. Wade were overturned, extent to which abortion should be prohibited in Nebraska? My record on this issue presents proof, not promises. May, 2001 I voted to ban family planning funding in US aid abroad. September 2002, I voted to expand federal funding to health providers who don’t provide abortion information. I am endorsed by National Right to Life and Nebraskans United for Life. Using public funds for abortion? Oppose Agriculture/Rural Life Policy changes and/or initiatives to bring about greater economic development in rural communities?
As Nebraska’s Third District Congressman, I have promoted agri-tourism, Open Field legislation for expanded hunting and fishing, $8.9 million in grants for rural high speed internet, introduced the New Homestead Act, held numerous workshops on how to start a rural business and e-commerce, published handbooks for rural economic development and entrepreneurial trainings. I helped secure hundreds of millions of dollars for drought relief. Death Penalty Repealing death penalty and replacing it with imprisonment for life without parole and with order of mandatory restitution? I have reservations about the death penalty. It usually involves those who can’t afford good legal representation; it is more expensive than life without parole and sometimes is mistakenly applied. However, some crimes are so heinous that the death penalty may be a just sentence. Education Education-expense tax credits? Support Education vouchers? Oppose Scholarship donation tax credits? Support I do not support vouchers because I believe they blur the line between public and private schools and could lead to government intrusion in private schools. My children attended both public and private schools and I believe there are unique qualities in each system that should be preserved. Embryonic Research Enacting ban on research that destroys live human embryos for their stem cells? Support In May 2005, as Nebraska’s Third District Congressman, I voted NO on federal legislation to allow human embryonic stem cell research. Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide Legalizing voluntary, consent-based euthanasia and assisted suicide? Oppose I believe that the taking of human life is God’s business, not man’s. Health Care Role and responsibility of state government in meeting the health-care and long-term-care needs of poor residents? Ensuring quality healthcare is affordable and accessible is essential. I support MSA’s/HSA’s, voted to permit the importation of low cost, FDA-approved prescription drugs from other countries, successfully included $25 billion in Medicare Reform to fix rural payment disparities and voted to allow small businesses the ability to purchase healthcare at large business rates. Concerns about emphasis on community-based services for implementing Nebraska’s behavioral health (mental illness, addictions) system? All health services, including behavioral health services, need to be affordable and accessible to everyone who needs these services. Statewide community-based behavioral health services are important to provide badly needed services in rural areas. Immigrant Policy Ensuring that (newly arrived) immigrants, who are employed, paying taxes and residing in Nebraska, have access to basic public benefits, regardless of immigration status? Oppose It is important to promote legal immigration and work to remove the current barriers to achieving that status for “newly arrived” immigrants. I have introduced legislation which would allow undocumented workers to return to their country to origin and then quickly return to the U.S. with a work permit. Marriage/Family Life Policy changes and/or initiatives to address social and public costs of failed marriages and to promote stable marriages? I was a co-sponsor for the Federal Marriage Amendment and have consistently voted to support eliminating the marriage penalty and increase the child tax credit. I secured more than $1.5 million in funding for mentoring and help with TeamMates, a mentoring organization run by my wife, Nancy and daughter Suzanne. Tax Policy Preserving tax exemption for qualifying religious, educational and charitable property? Support. I also support updating the entire tax code, in particular adjusting income tax brackets, expanding the homestead exemption and providing a temporary exemption for active duty military personnel. I want to conduct regular performance reviews of all agencies and reform the budget process to promote savings. Welfare Policy “Family Cap/Child Exclusion”--precluding additional cash assistance for children born to mothers already receiving aid for dependent children? Oppose I voted yes to promote marriage in TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) recipients.
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: Glenn R. Boot, Jr., Democrat Candidate did not respond.
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: David Hahn, Democrat Candidate did not respond.
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: Barry Richards, Nebraska Party Abortion If Roe v. Wade were overturned, extent to which abortion should be prohibited in Nebraska? I pray that Roe v. Wade does get overturned and soon. In my view, abortion ought to be prohibited totally, 100% of the time. All babies are innocent and should not be held liable for the actions of their parents no matter how they were conceived. Abortion is always wrong! Using public funds for abortion? Oppose I would oppose the use of public funds for any advancement of abortion activity whether Roe v. Wade ever gets overturned or not. I believe in focusing on programs that value life by finding loving parents for unwanted babies and closing all abortion clinics. So help me God! Agriculture/Rural Life Policy changes and/or initiatives to bring about greater economic development in rural communities?
We have to convince the Federal Government to end the “cheap food policy”. Currently we are at 50-60% of parity. Parity has to be brought back to 100%. Property taxes need to be replaced by the “Transaction Tax”. That would be the best Economic Development ever! Death Penalty Repealing death penalty and replacing it with imprisonment for life without parole and with order of mandatory restitution? Oppose The death penalty worked in Jesus’ time on earth and serves well as a deterrent today when implemented in a timely, judicious manner. Those on death row made a choice; their execution is what may deter the next guy from making the same choice. It works if we let it. Education Education-expense tax credits? Oppose Education vouchers? Oppose Scholarship donation tax credits? Oppose I believe we need to make every school in Nebraska as good as it can be. Nebraskans are presently allowed to go to their school of choice with option enrollment, which I vehemently disagree with. I would rather they stay at their local school and fight to attain excellence there. Embryonic Research Enacting ban on research that destroys live human embryos for their stem cells? Support Whatever happened to the value of human life? I believe life begins at conception and that an embryo is a human life. It is wrong to use an embryo or fetus for biomedical research. Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide Legalizing voluntary, consent-based euthanasia and assisted suicide? Oppose When physicians start killing instead of healing we are all in big trouble. This question comes up partly because of all the abortions being performed and the sanctity of human life being reduced. Life is a blessing from God, even in suffering. Only He has the right to end it. Health Care Role and responsibility of state government in meeting the health-care and long-term-care needs of poor residents? I believe that it is part of the role of the Government to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. God bless any and all churches that help with this challenging cause. I am in favor of killing LB 775 and moving that money to healthcare. Concerns about emphasis on community-based services for implementing Nebraska’s behavioral health (mental illness, addictions) system? My concern is that severe behavioral problems cannot be handled in community-based settings. Thus, those that are the highest risk to the community may be more likely to escape and succeed in hurting someone. They are more apt to be better served in the confines of major treatment centers. Immigrant Policy Ensuring that (newly arrived) immigrants, who are employed, paying taxes and residing in Nebraska, have access to basic public benefits, regardless of immigration status? Oppose Absolutely not! Your question states: “regardless of their immigration status”, that alone seals the deal. No way, shape or form should illegals be allowed anything but a ride back where they came from. You are condoning breaking the law to do anything beyond transporting them home. Stop illegal immigration! Marriage/Family Life Policy changes and/or initiatives to address social and public costs of failed marriages and to promote stable marriages? First, we need to bring an end to No-Fault divorce. Second, we need to make getting married just a little bit tougher and slower to do. People getting married need to know what is required of them before they say, “I do.” Make marriage classes mandatory. Tax Policy Preserving tax exemption for qualifying religious, educational and charitable property? Oppose I simply believe that all, without exception, should pay taxes. I love church and have been a Christian 2 ½ years now, but to be fair, I still believe all property ought to be taxed. When you start down the path of exemptions it is hard to stop. Welfare Policy “Family Cap/Child Exclusion”--precluding additional cash assistance for children born to mothers already receiving aid for dependent children? Support I don’t want to foster the idea that having more kids will get a mother more money. I place my faith in our churches to do the right thing and encourage these mothers into a different way of life. We have to stop this cycle of sex and welfare.
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