Baker expects better support for Work Camp

The McCook Work Ethic Camp should stay below the radar of the Nebraska Legislature again this year, after a major lobbying effort in 2002 kept the facility from being closed.

Nebraska Sen. Tom Baker told the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee this morning that opposition of the facility has been greatly reduced because of a campaign to educate Nebraska legislators and judges.

Baker said judges from the metro areas of Omaha and Lincoln have been sending more offenders to the 6-month intensive probation training program. "I think we're winning the battle," he said. "It may not be over yet, but we're definitely coming out ahead."

A report on the success of the program has been in the hands of the Department of Corrections since October, but not yet released. The survey was conducted by the Criminal Justice Department at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

It tracks offenders who have gone through the program and where they have ended up since leaving the facility.

Baker also discussed a bill that would ban cell phone use by drivers. The legislation would allow hands-free calling. "You already have kids, loud music, people eating while their driving, We have to place the responsibility on the individual," he said. "You can't legislate common sense."

Baker said the budget proposed by Gov. Mike Johanns and Lt. Gov. Dave Heinemann will be "bare bones" again this year.

"We'll have enough to fund Medicaid and school aid without raising taxes; however there will be nothing left over for anything else.

"We continue to see receipts come in above last year's receipts, but those increases were built into the budget," Baker said.

Another major issue facing the Legislature this year will be a bill to extend term limits to three terms, one to repeal them completely and a bill that would double state senators' pay from $1,000 a month to $2,000 a month.

Baker said he believed there is legislative support for the three issues, however convincing taxpayers of the need may be more difficult. If they are passed, however, they could go to the voters in 2006.

"The public would need to understand that most of the senators voting on these issues would be gone in 2006. We wouldn't benefit from any of these changes," he said.

Other issues discussed during the first meeting of the Legislative Committee:

* The move to merge Class I school districts with larger districts will most likely see success this year despite proposed bills opposing the move.

* Baker, the chairman of the transportation and telecommunications committee, discussed the importance of getting better cell phone coverage on a statewide basis. Currently only about half the state has cellular coverage. He would like to see that number increase to 95 percent.

* Changes in agriculture subsidies for livestock and changes in LB775.