Session over, work goes on

While the 60 day session of the Nebraska Legislature may be finished, the work is far from over for Nebraska Sen. Tom Baker of Trenton.

With issues continuing on ethanol, water, telecommunications, and the Nebraska Work Ethic Camp, just to name a few, Sen. Baker said the business of the state didn't end when the Legislature went home last week.

Baker told a group of 22 McCook Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee members at an annual Legislature wrap-up breakfast that LB 1065 was $9 million short of fully funding the Ethanol Incentive Program.

During discussions, Baker voiced concerns that the corn industry in Southwest Nebraska would not be capable of supporting the ethanol plants in Trenton, McCook and Cambridge.

"The Trenton plant will use one-fourth of all corn produced within 60 miles of Trenton," he told the group. "We're going to eat up the corn supply in Southwest Nebraska."

Ron Friehe, an investor in SW Biofuels, the company developing the ethanol plant at Perry, told Sen. Baker he didn't see a problem with grain availability. "If we run out of corn, what's going to happen? The price is going to go up... I'm not worried about it. Chastise me on main street if we run out of corn."

Angus Garey, a retired farmer and banker, told the senator the added demand for corn could help increase the demand for milo. "It's a very logical alternative," he said. Garey pointed out milo is cheaper to produce and uses less water.

Another issue that will be looked at while the Legislature is in recess will involve the cell phone industry, specifically in Western Nebraska.

Jerry Vap, Public Service Commissioner, was on hand to explain the commission's position on cell phone services.

Vap told the group there are cell phone companies trying to access Universal Service Fund monies, but he explained, "I will not vote for any wireless carrier that won't cover the entire state."

Vap said the wireless industry remains unregulated on both the state and federal level. The Federal Communications Commission says the competition is so fierce, there is no need for regulation. But, Vap said, "You have carriers that don't care about Western Nebraska."

"We're where we were 80 years ago with hard copper lines," Baker said.

Baker said he wasn't sure the issue would be addressed during the 2005 session, however, the problem will at least be looked at.

Surface water will be another issue looked at during the summer months. Baker said the Governor's Water Task Force is expected to convene in Lincoln in June in order to tour the western part of the state.

Baker told the group area lakes have not changed since last year. "There will have to be changes made in surface irrigation," he said, and that is beginning to affect community economics.

In the case of Chase County, Baker said the tax valuation has been reduced because farmers are changing irrigated land over to dryland.

"We're changing our priorities from agriculture and electrical generation to recreation and environmental interests," he said, citing the recent decision not to allow drawdown at Nebraska's largest lake. "There's been enough political pressure on the Bureau (of Reclamation) to leave water in Lake McConaughy."

Senator Baker said while he's working with the Nebraska Department of Corrections to investigate expanding the Nebraska Work Ethic Camp an Omaha senator will be working to change the type of services delivered through the facility.

Baker said he will be working with the Department of Corrections to begin looking at expanding the center and at the same time Sen. John Synowiecki will be drafting legislation to turn it into an Intensive Supervised Probation facility.

Baker pointed out that the number of prisoners in the Nebraska prison system has dropped by 250 since last year. "The Work Ethic Camp had a lot to do with that," he said.

"We need to show people that this is saving the state money."

When the Legislature reconvenes in January for its 90-day session, Baker told the group to expect some changes.

"There's a great deal of room for mischief," he said. "There's 20 of us term-limiting out. Some of my colleagues may have the mindset of 'we don't have to do what the voters say.' But I don't see that happening in my case."

Baker said several leadership positions will be open during the next session including three committee chairs and the Chair of the Legislature.

"It's going to be hard to build a consensus with all those people leaving."