CHAIRMAN COVALT TO GOVERNOR HEINEMAN: YOUR 'HUSKER KICKBACK' SHOULD BE RETURNED
Feb 04, 11:41 AM CST
Nebraska Democratic Party Chairman Vic Covalt today called on Governor Dave Heineman to seek immediate return of funds involved in the ‘Husker Kickback.’
“Governor Heineman was quick to run to the national media and join others criticizing Senator Ben Nelson for what they called a ‘Cornhusker Kickback,’ that, in fact, was Nelson’s effort to help Nebraska and all other states escape a large unfunded federal mandate in health reform,” Covalt said. “Well, now Governor Heineman has his own Husker Kickback. The state auditor has uncovered a Husker Kickback to state employees, and it needs to be returned.”
In today’s editions, the Lincoln Journal-Star reported details of the kickback identified by State Auditor Mike Foley:
State agencies are spending more than $1 million a year buying advertising on the Husker Sports Network and using the perks of sports tickets, tailgate passes and other incentives, Nebraska Auditor Mike Foley said Wednesday.
A letter from Foley to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission showed that over the past three years, incentives have included 2,564 tickets to University of Nebraska athletic events, tailgate party passes, travel and tickets to away games, dinners with coaches and autographed footballs, volleyballs and posters.
Season tickets were included in some instances, as well as skybox and premier seating for some games. In some cases, state employees and their family members and guests used the tickets. In other cases, the tickets and other perks were used to promote programs, or as prizes or giveaways, Foley said.
“Nebraska law says state officials may not use public positions or resources for personal financial gain.”
“I’m hoping this is kind of a loud warning shot across the bow,” Foley said.
Follow this link to the full story:
Husker Extra: Auditor questions Husker tickets Nebraska agencies accept
– by Missy Wigley | Send this to a friend
