Nemaha County Democrats and Republicans Worked
Together to Sponsor Political Activity for the People
Incumbent Heidemann Participated in Debate with
Challenger Joy to Packed House at Arbor Manor
By Gary Black

On Friday, August 8, a nonpartisan debate was held for District One of the Nebraska State Unicameral at Arbor Manor between incumbent Senator Lavon Heidemann and challenger Jerry Joy.

The dinner and debate was sponsored by the Nemaha County Republican and Democratic parties. Mayor Bob Engles and Carla Patterson were the moderators for the debate. In attendance were 86 interested people, two radio stations, and two newspapers.

Each candidate was given a chance to make an opening statement and answer six questions which were known by the candidates beforehand.

Heidemann Opening Statement
"Thank you for coming out tonight and participating in the American political process. Four years ago I was fed up with my own personal property taxes. I was lucky that when I arrived I was voted onto the Appropriations Committee, and two years later with the opening of the chairmanship of the Appropriations I decided to run for the position and was elected to chair the committee by my fellow Senators.

"As the committee chair, I feel that we are only half way through the with the efforts we have made to reduce the state budget and if reelected my top priority will be to will be to continue what we started these last sessions."

Joy Opening Statement
"Some background on myself, I came up through the education system, started in a high school moved upwards to a small college, eventually came to Peru State College, where I was able to start some much needed programs such as a college foster family, where the students had a safe home they could go to that was close and where they could open up and not be judged but receive good sound advice and help.

"I am running in this race knowing I can pay back to Southeast Nebraska what I received when I needed it."

Series of Questions
Q1: What is your plan for funding road and infrastructure repairs and improvements in the district?

Joy's Response
"Well number one we need to reevaluate the way we collect and grant bids for the work. If we could go in and perform audits I am sure we could have found enough waste we would not have needed to raise the gas tax .03 cents. We need to search out those contractors that may not have gotten a bid before. Let's give them an opportunity to see if they could do the work for us cheaper and better. We have $547 million in a cash reserve account. We need to be using that money which is ours as tax payers, to be building up the infrastructure not just hoarding it in an account for the legislature to use as it sees fit."

Heidemann's Response
"I think that the way we are funding the roads at this point is the way we need to keep going. On the gas tax issue I want to give out a little history; in January 1996 we were paying .26 cents a gallon.

"In July 2008 we are still paying .26 cents a gallon. Where is the increase? Also for every dollar that Nemaha County sends to Lincoln in gas tax 46 cents is returned for the maintenance of the county's roads, snow plowing, repaving, and general maintenance in the county.

"Yes, I would like to be able to see a four-lane road running between Auburn and Nebraska City. I have seen what the completion of Highway 2 has done for Syracuse and would love to see that same growth in this county. To do that we need to make sure that we have a steady, strong, and minor recession proof state budget. For that reason I believe that it would not be wise or prudent to use the state's reserve account.

Q2: How will you invest today's cash reserves to insure Nebraska's future by increasing state funding to public schools in District One?

Heidemann's Response
"For the 2008-2009 school year the legislature raised school funding by 9% or $70 million. In the budget that has already been set for the 2009-2010 school year funding is increased by another 14% or $122 million. At that same time we have only raised the total state budget by 3%. Let me make my position clear. The state reserve account is there to see us through slow revenue times. For example, this past July state receipts were down $11.5 million. Yes, the money is the people's, but as a legislature we must have the foresight to see us through the hard times with a minimum amount of impact on you — our constituents."

Joy's Response
"The reserve money is not the legislature's but the people's whom they represent. We need to use that money in a way that we can have a perpetual gain for the schools. We do this by investing 60% into a proven money market. The other part we disperse through grants to needy schools."

Q3: Do you support stem-cell research?

Joy's Response
"Yes I do. But people are going to say that Jerry you are pro-life, what's up? My answer will be that the stem cells they will use are going to be unimplanted embryos from a fertility clinic. If there is any way we can perform research on those embryos that could possibly prevent future people from having to go through a degenerative disease — we must support that research."

Heidemann's Response
"No I do not. This last year LB 606 was brought to the floor and the vote on that bill was unanimous, 48-0. I believe in only adult and cord stem-cell research."

Q4: Nebraska taxpayers provide approximately $180 million in incentive programs and subsidies to large corporations through state tax credits and tax increment financing, however the state does not report the exact amounts and recipients of these investments nor dollar value benefits to taxpayers. How can the taxpayer evaluate the return on investments for these programs when government does not fully report the full cost and benefits?

Heidemann's Response
"The 180 million in tax credits came from the Nebraska advantage act, LB775. Through this there were over 14,000 new jobs created and over 5 billion invested in this state.

"If a company is required to report exacting amounts and where, how, what they do with these incentives, it could create a less than desirable climate in which companies would be required to work in. And with an already tight and hard business climate we need to be a place where companies have such an incentive package they could not pass up coming to Nebraska."

Joy's Response
"We need more incentives, but we also need to have much, much more government oversight. More disclosure will not be too cumbersome that a Cabela's or Bass Pro would be put off of Nebraska just for some simple paper work. Let's bring more companies here but let's also make sure we are getting our money's worth."

Q5: Do you support property tax relief? If so, how do you intend to fund it? What parts of the budget would you cut?

Joy's Response
"Yes we need to provide some relief to tax payers, but we also need to do more for our schools than we currently are. Just think how much we could do if we invested that $547 million into our public schools.

"We need to look out for our future and if we do not put the money and time into the kids now we could be looking at a situation where those we do not educate now could end up on the welfare rolls and costing us more money in the long run.

"I want to relate an email I received from someone I will just call sheriff Joe. His county commissioners were looking at an $18 million bill for the humane society. Sheriff Joe went to the commissioners and said he would lower that bill within a year if they gave him the chance.

"They did and long story short; one year later the bill for the humane society had been lowered to 3 million dollars. I related that story as an example of how we need to be thinking outside of the box."

Heidemann's Response
"I will support all the property tax cuts that come before us in the legislature. Just a couple of years ago ag land was valued at 80%. I went into session wanting to lower that to 70%, but compromise was needed and we were only able to lower it to 75%. That is a start but we need to do more. By careful budgeting we can and will continue to bring spending under control."

Q6: What are your three greatest strengths as a candidate for District 1 Legislature?

Heidemann's Response
"[First], I am one of you. I farm and struggle to make ends meet with the rising cost of fuel and other consumables.

"[Second], I am honest in all respects, the dealings I have with my fellow Nebraskans, fellow senators.

"[Third], I have proven leadership in Lincoln and have been a positive influence with my fellow senators.

Joy's Response
"[First], I have the experience to hit the ground running if given the chance to represent you.

"[Second], I am a good listener. I will listen to you the voters.

"[Third], Accessibility. If you need me all you have to do is call and I will help where I can.Close Window