Press Releases

  LINCOLN - Construction Cranes abound in Lincoln as the City moves forward under Democratic leadership. A Lincoln Journal Star article over the weekend highlights Lincoln's boom in economic growth. http://journalstar.com/special-section/new-directions/construction-cranes-point-to-a-development-boom/article_7f40536c-5e26-53f4-acb6-8e994dc99986.html?mode=story Lincoln has been led by a Democratic Mayor for more than a decade, including current Mayor Chris Beutler who has served since 2007. Democrats have had a majority on the Lincoln City Council since 2009. Even Governor Dave Heineman said he is "excited about the direction Lincoln is moving."  Vic Covalt, Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, said the success in Lincoln is proof that Democrats know how to govern. "This proves that the Democratic Party is the party of progress and solutions," Covalt said. "When given the chance to lead, Democrats have proven effective in creating economic growth. But we must protect our cities from the dangerous proposals of Dave Heineman."   Significant areas of policy difference between Nebraska Democrats and Governor Heineman are the need to support local communities, reduce property taxes, fund education and protect programs for seniors.   The Governor's tax plan, LB 970 would result in a local property tax increase, according to the Nebraska Association of County Officials.  These cuts in support for local governments would be on top of the roughly $22 million in cuts last session under Governor Heineman. "The Governor's plan to increase taxes on property owners would be counterproductive," Covalt said. "Nebraskans continually say property taxes are the most burdensome of all taxes. The Governor is not listening." The Governor's proposed tax shift to local communities also includes draconian cuts in state aid to education. His tax plan would guarantee $50 million in losses to education for 2013-2014. Covalt said the best thing the state can do for local communities is support education and not shift the tax burden to property owners. We look forward to electing a Democratic candidate to the Governor's Office in 2014 so we bring Lincoln's success to the entire state of Nebraska."  

LINCOLN -  After today's news that KVC will no longer provide case management services for child welfare, the Nebraska Democratic Party is calling on the Governor to finally accept responsibility for the child welfare reform debacle and embrace legislative efforts to fix the system. "The time has come for the Governor to act like an adult and take responsibility for the mess his administration created," said Jim Rogers, Executive Director of the Nebraska Democratic Party. "We call on the Governor to accept the recommendations of the Legislature's Performance Audit Committee and the Children's Behavioral Health Oversight Committee." An audit released last year from Auditor Mike Foley shows that Nebraska Child Welfare costs increased by 27 percent after a privatization plan initiative by Heineman.  According to the audit, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services failed to bid publicly multi-million dollar contracts with private service providers, resulting in increased costs and no effective oversight of children in state custody. Numerous proposals have been introduced, including LB821 and LB961 which would create a state agency to oversee all programs providing services to children and require case management to be performed by the Department of Health and Human Services respectively. However, the Governor has talked about new spending proposals in the Legislature this session as serving "special interests," even though the major spending proposals  introduced this session seek to rectify the millions of dollars Heineman threw away through his mismanagement. An article from the Omaha World-Herald previously indicated the Governor was not inclined to support legislation to fix the problem if it had a financial price tag. http://www.omaha.com/article/20120101/NEWS01/701019907 "First, the Governor doesn't want to fix the problem of wasting millions in taxpayer dollars because it may cost too much," Rogers said. "Then he implies that children fall into the category of a special interest? Throughout this entire privatization debacle, children have been an afterthought; meanwhile taxpayer money just flew out the window." Just last month it was reported that the state would lose yet another $1.8 million through bad contracting procedures. http://journalstar.com/news/local/kvc-child-welfare-contract-amended-to-provide-more-money/article_38750350-86f0-5fbf-ab1d-82d64290d65a.html "The Governor likes to talk about running agencies like businesses," Rogers said. "As the State of Nebraska's CEO, he has thrown away millions in taxpayer dollars. At the same time, he has failed in his obligations to ensure our children receive the vital services they need. It is time for the State of Nebraska to fulfill its obligation to care for these children."

Bruning's Flip Flops on Mortgage Issue Follow his Reversals on Abortion, Single-Payer Health Care, Gun Control and Other Issues  OMAHA – Continuing his habit of changing his positions on important issues to Nebraskans, Attorney General and Senate candidate Jon Bruning has embraced a mortgage settlement that he had publicly opposed just a year ago. Reuters reported that last March Bruning was one of just three state attorneys general to send a letter opposing the settlement to Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, who was leading the case. "We have concerns ... that what started out as an effort to correct specific practices harmful to consumers has morphed into an attempt to establish an overarching regulatory scheme that fundamentally restructures the mortgage loan industry," Oklahoma's E. Scott Pruitt, Nebraska's Jon Bruning and Alabama's Luther Strange wrote. (Reuters, 3/17/11) But now that Nebraska stands to gain $10 million, Bruning has changed his principals and says he supports the new rules the settlement created for mortgage operators: “This settlement provides protections for consumers dealing with the difficult issue of mortgage foreclosure,” said Bruning. “It also provides clear guidelines for how these mortgage servicers should operate going forward.” (Bruning Press Release, 2/10/11) Bruning's flip flop on the mortgage issue is consistent with his flip flopping on other key issues just a few years before running for the Legislature as a conservative. Before converting to run for the legislature, Bruning staked out numerous positions he has supposedly since disavowed: Then on Health Care: "The best direction for the future includes a government sponsored basic health care plan for all Americans. (Daily Nebraskan 10/30/92)Now on Health Care: "Here in Nebraska, I'm the guy leading the lawsuit against Obama care.  Now, why is that? You know it's another big government program we can't afford. You know it's unconstitutional.  [Tea Party Express Speech Omaha 8/30/11] Then on Abortion: "I think a woman should have a right to choose. I'm not saying I personally believe in abortion, but I think a woman has a right to decide what to do with her own body. Personally, I think life begins in the tenth week of gestation upon the inception of brain waves in the fetus. Regardless, I don't want the government making this decision for women." (Politico, 2/7/11)Now on Abortion: "Life begins at conception, period. Judges who wish to legislate from the bench and create interpretations of our Constitution which defile its intent must not be confirmed to serve in our courts." (JonBruning.com) Then Gun Control:  "I believe in gun control. I think the National Rifle Association is wrong in supporting hollow-pointed bullets and every other device created purely for killing humans that has ever been invented. Their premise that a ban on any type of gun or ammunition will eventually limit those of us who want to hunt wild game is ridiculous. I love to hunt and I plan to do so throughout my lifetime. There is no need, however, for a porcelain handgun or armor-piercing bullet when I'm trying to bring down a pheasant or a goose. If the government wanted to ban shotguns, I'd be the first one in line to protest. Many types of handguns and ammunition, however, need to be regulated." (Politico, 2/7/11)Now on Gun Control: "I was an NRA guy and now I'm almost libertarian.  I don't want the government to register anything.  I don't want them checking my guns or telling me what to do with my guns," he says. "I'm not a guy who wants any restrictions on it and the NRA sometimes is left wing on guns." (Politico, 11/17/11) Then on Gays:  "I believe homosexuals should have the same rights as everyone else. They ought to be able to be Boy Scout leaders, soldiers and anything else they want to be. Just because a person is gay doesn't mean they're a pedophile or a bad soldier. While I've only known two people in my life who were admittedly gay, I'd be happy to fight side-by-side with either of them if the United States went to war." (Politico, 2/7/11)Now on Gays: In November 2003, Bruning said the recent ruling by Massachusetts' high court against that state's ban on gay marriages was ridiculous. "Does that mean you have to allow a man to marry his pet, or a man to marry his chair?" Bruning said. "I mean, at some point, it needs to stop." [Associated Press, 11/18/03] Then on Welfare/Affirmative Action:  "I believe in affirmative action. If a woman or a black person takes the place of a white male in a law school entering class, we're all better off. Women and people of color have perspectives that white men could never have, and the learning environment is better if the class is diverse. If law schools consisted solely of white males they'd look like the Republican Party." (Politico, 2/7/11)Now on Welfare/Affirmative Action: Bruning said a farmer noticed raccoons eating the beetles at night — and compared the situation to welfare recipients taking the easy way out. “And it’s like grapes in a jar. The raccoons – they’re not stupid, they’re gonna do the easy way if we make it easy for them. Just like welfare recipients all across America. If we don’t send them to work, they’re gonna take the easy route.” (Winterized Blog, 8/9/11) -30-

  LINCOLN - The Nebraska Republican Party apparently had problems finding someone local to run in Legislative District 21. Mike Hilgers, who moved to Lancaster County from Texas less than two years ago, is running for the Nebraska Legislature.  He has received more than $25,000 from out-of-state contributors, mostly from the Lone Star State. http://journalstar.com/news/unicameral/candidate-s-out-of-state-funds-raise-speculation/article_86167673-9f27-50f1-b979-093dfa48bf2a.html "This is a blatant attempt to buy a legislative seat with out-of-state dollars," said Jim Rogers, Executive Director of the Nebraska Democratic Party. "Since so many high-dollar contributors in Texas are interested in Hilgers' candidacy, perhaps he should go home to Texas and run for a legislative seat there. "The dollars coming in from Texas raise serious questions about what all these out-of-state contributors hope to gain from these donations," Rogers said. "Nebraskans are too smart to be conned into selling a legislative seat to Texas."  In addition to the contributions Hilgers is receiving out of state, Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure reports show almost 70 percent of his campaign expenditures going out-of-state, mostly for consulting purposes. http://nadc.nol.org/ccdb/search.cgi?page=formb1d&IDNO=11CAC01594&OFFREC=01/31/2012 "Not only is Hilgers raising his money out of state, he is sending it back out through his expenditures," Rogers said. "Nebraska doesn't even get the benefit of having the dollars go into our local economy. Why aren't Nebraska businesses good enough for Hilgers?" ###

  LINCOLN – In sharp contrast to Governor Dave Heineman’s proposed tax shift to property owners, Senators Heath Mello and Jeremy Nordquist are offering proposals aimed at lowering the tax burden on the middle class.  In order to lower taxes on Nebraska's wealthiest citizens, Governor Dave Heineman is proposing LB970, a measure that would result in decreased funding for education and a tax shift to property owners.  Senator Mello’s LB 977, the Property Tax Relief Act would give Nebraska homeowners approximately $76 million in property tax relief through a homestead exemption of the first $8,000 in the value of their home. Based upon average property tax rates and valuations, the average homeowner in Nebraska would receive between $150 and $160 under LB 977. This proposal stands in sharp contrast to the Governor’s plan, which would save only $42 for the average family of four earning $32,000.  Additionally, the Nebraska Association of County Officials testified that the Governor’s tax plan would result in a local property tax increase. This means the wealthy would get their tax cut while the middle class could actually pay more in taxes under the Governor’s scheme. “The Governor has it completely backwards,” said Jim Rogers, Executive Director of the Nebraska Democratic Party. “Why is he proposing a plan that would increase our most burdensome tax? Nebraskans are clamoring for a property tax break and the Governor is putting his hands over his ears.” When questioned by the Revenue Committee about his bill’s effect on property taxes, Heineman rung his hands, saying:  "I just think we've got to work this out and hopefully we can do it." The Governor attempted to use the right-wing Tax Foundation ranking system as a justification for lowering taxes on the wealthy. According to the Foundation, Nebraska ranks 30th in tax burden. Yet the same foundation shows Nebraska ranks 37th in property taxes, the worst of five rankings assigned to the state. At the same time, Nebraska ranks 47th in state funding for public schools, according to a 2009 Report from the U.S. Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/govern.html The Governor’s plan would guarantee $50 million in education cuts, according to the Legislative Fiscal Office. “Do we cut taxes for the wealthy and decimate education funding or do we preserve education funding and cut taxes on the middle class?” Rogers said. “Nebraskans clearly want the latter.” LB976, a proposal from Senator Nordquist, would exempt social security benefits from state taxes. “In terms of meaningful tax relief geared toward economic growth, Senator Nordquist has the right idea,” Rogers said. “This plan would put money back into the pockets of hardworking Nebraskans and it would put money back into our local economy. It would be a win-win for everyone.” Rogers said both plans present great alternatives to the Governor’s wrong approach. Below is a chart showing how the Governor’s tax cut plan would primarily benefit the wealthy:

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LINCOLN -Less than two months after Congressman Lee Terry pulled his bill opening the door to automated political calls on cell phones, Republicans at the state level continue to insist on inundating Nebraska phones with prerecorded late-night calls. LB418, a bill introduced by Republican Senator John Nelson, would create an exemption from registration with the Public Service Commission (PSC) when using an automatic dialing-announcing device. "After Congressman Terry pulled his bill amid overwhelming opposition from the people, you would think Republicans at the state level would learn something from that," said Jim Rogers, Executive Director of the Nebraska Democratic Party. "Nebraskans don't want these prerecorded political phone calls harassing them at night." Read about how Terry learned the hard way not to mess with people's phones. http://www.omaha.com/article/20111214/NEWS01/712149840 Read about how Democrats in the Nebraska Legislature are fighting LB418. http://www.omaha.com/article/20120118/NEWS01/701189827 Senator John Nelson even said "let's not bracket this bill just because people don't like robocalls" in response to a motion from Senator Heath Mello to set the bill aside (or bracket) until a later date. "Even in the face of acknowledgement that folks don't like automated calls, Senator Nelson wants to march forward" Rogers said. "This just shows how out of touch Republicans like John Nelson, and Lee Terry are with everyday Nebraskans." LB418 isn't the only politically motived bill before the Legislature this session. LB239, the Voter ID Bill introduced last session by State Senator Charlie Janssen would suppress low-income, elderly, disabled, and minority citizens from voting. "Enough of the dirty tricks," Rogers said. "Republicans need to focus on the issues most important to Nebraskans and quit playing partisan games. " ###

  LINCOLN - Congressman Lee Terry, a co-sponsor of the new Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), said he will remove his name from the bill today, following public outcry. It is the second time in five weeks that a Terry bill received such negative reaction that he was forced to pull sponsorship http://www.omaha.com/article/20120118/NEWS01/701189867#terry-to-remove-name-from-bill "Lee Terry loves to do the bidding of the special interests," said Jim Rogers, Executive Director of the Nebraska Democratic Party. "But when he gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar, he cuts and runs. His lack of leadership is pathetic." SOPA has received a wave of negative criticism from free speech and civil rights groups. Previously, public uproar caused Terry to pull support for a bill that would have allowed annoying landline robocalls to make their way to Nebraska cell phones. Terry's bill would have lifted federal restrictions on the use of automated dialing and prerecorded messages. http://www.omaha.com/article/20111214/NEWS01/712149840 "With both of these bills, it took a flood of calls and emails to persuade Terry to put the special interests aside and represent the people," Rogers said. "If Terry would do the people's bidding to begin with, he wouldn't have to continue his constant flip-flopping. " Terry has a record of standing with special interests. He voted last year for Rep. Paul Ryan's plan to kill Medicare. In addition, he voted for the Cut, Cap and Kill Medicare plan during the debt ceiling debate. Terry's record on Social Security has been no better than his record on Medicare. After supporting a plan to privatize Social Security, he then reversed himself. When he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar, he quickly pulled his name from the bill. "Pulling back on his support to privatize Social Security was the biggest flip of all," Rogers said. "Nebraskans in District 2 need a representative they can trust to be a consistent voice standing for them. It is well past time for Lee Terry to go." ###  

Omaha, NE - Douglas County Democratic Party announces the final details for the Congressional Debate between Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing and State Senator Gwen Howard The debate will occur on Friday, January 20, at the Douglas County Democrats annual Truman Dinner.  The event will be at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Convention Center at 3321 S 72nd St in Omaha.  The debate is scheduled to begin at approximately 8:30pm. The panelists are C. David Kotok, Managing Editor at the Omaha World Herald; Jonathan Athens, Political Reporter for KPTM FOX 42; and Joe Jordan, Managing Editor for the non-partisan Nebraska Watchdog. The debate will be facilitated by the Chair of the University of Nebraska at Omaha Department of Political Science, Dr. Randall Adkins. "The purpose of this event is to give democratic voters in the second Congressional district a chance to have their questions answered," said Douglas County Democratic Chairman Michael Leahy. "We are proud to have a panel that represents broadcast, print and online media." The candidates will be asked questions on job creation, government spending, Medicare and Social Security, foreign policy and social issues. There will be fourteen total questions, and each candidate will speak and respond to each topic. "It is important that the candidates representing our party are presented with the questions that our members may have for the upcoming election," commented Leahy. "We are pleased to offer this service to the voters." Questions may be submitted to http://www.douglascountydemocrats.com/trumandebate, with the Twitter hash-tag #CD2Debate, or to info@douglascountydemocrats.com. If your organization plans to cover the Democratic Congressional Debate, please contact Kieran McCarney for additional details. The debate is part of the larger event, so we must be mindful of the rest of the program. Kieran can be reached at his office at 402-558-5912 or by cell at 402-216-7652 ###

 LINCOLN - The Nebraska Democratic Party is having a Western Nebraska Caucus Tour later this week to promote the April 14 Presidential Caucus.  The Caucus will be held in precincts all across this state as the first step in selection of the 2012 Democratic National Convention Delegation. Vic Covalt, Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, will host meetings in 14 counties in western Nebraska starting this Thursday and ending Sunday. "I want to make sure every Nebraska Democrat has a chance to participate in the Presidential Caucus in every county in the state," Covalt said. "The Democratic Party wants to open its doors and hear what you have to say." All Nebraskans are invited to meet the State Chair and learn more about the Presidential Caucus. Following is the tour schedule. All times are local.   Tour Schedule   Thursday, January 19 Dunning               6 pm                                    Coffee at Norm's Auto Thedford             7:30 pm                                Brahmer's Steakhouse, Hwy 2 and Hwy 87   Friday, January 20 Valentine            12 pm                                    Cedar Canyon Restaurant Gordon                2:30 pm                               Pump and Pantry Chadron               5 pm                                     Country Kitchen Harrison               7:30 pm                                Harrison Security National Bank   Saturday, January 21 Alliance                9:30 am                               Alliance Public Library Scottsbluff          12:15 pm                              Skyport Restaurant conference room at Scottsbluff Airport Harrisburg           2:15 pm                                Banner County Cafe Kimball               3 pm                                     Java Blend Sidney                5 pm                                      Buffalo Point meeting room Chappell              7:30 pm                                Slebby's Sports Bar    Sunday, January 22 Ogallala          9:30 am                                Hokes Café North Platte       12:30 pm                              Airport Inn, Tiffany Room   ###