Vote Out Cronyism - Contribute Today
Sep 04, 03:02 PM CST
Imagine this scenario for a moment: a term-limited lawmaker gets tapped by the Governor to fill a high paying job created by one of his own legislative bills. Meanwhile a prospective challenger for the seat drops out due to health concerns, only to a month later meet with the Governor about being appointed to the now open seat. It sounds like the next John Grisham novel, but it is really the sad state of affairs amongst the Republican powers-that-be in Nebraska.
Senator Mike Friend introduced LB 63 in January and that bill created the new state Office of Violence Prevention. Seven months later Governor Heineman appointed Friend to a $70,000 a year job as director of that same office. In that same time frame, Omaha area college student Jeff Miller announces and withdraws his candidacy for Senator Friend’s LD 10 seat, only to meet with Governor Heineman about being appointed to said seat upon Friend’s resignation.A Timeline of Events:
January 8, 2009 – Senator Mike Friend introduces LB 63
May 27, 2009 – LB 63 is approved by Governor Heineman
May 27, 2009 – That same day Jeff Miller announces his run for Friend’s seat in LD 10
August
12, 2009 – Senator Friend is appointed Director of the Office of Violence prevention
September 2, 2009 – Jeff Miller meets with Governor Heineman about being appointed to the now open LD 10 seat.
Governor Heineman’s track record is full of favoritism and cronyism, but this recent chain of events brings it to epic new levels. Now more than ever Nebraskans need a government that brings in the right people for the job rather than the people with the right political connections.
It is situations like these that truly highlight how desperately Nebraska needs a change, like the one America experienced last November. The NDP is working hard to make that a reality here in Nebraska, but we need your help. Please become a sustaining donor of the Nebraska Democratic Party. Hopefully, with your help, we can start a new chapter in Nebraskan politics in 2010.
– by Matt Hansen | Send this to a friend
