Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 2

2A Lincoln Journal Star Thursday, January 8, 2009 FROM PAGE 1A Speaker to bring lethal i njection bill Nelson: Tax cuts need to be stimulative 'We should have a thoughtful, high-level debate on this issue. It's an important issue, and I know some people disagree with me, and I respect other Speaker Mike Rood way to carry out its death penalty, v'-' Bruning strongly recommended in a report to Gov. Dave Heineman that the department be given leeway to create the drug cocktail instead of spelling it out in state law. It's the process used by 22 other states and the federal government. Flood, of Norfolk, said giving the corrections department flexibility would allow the chemical makeup to be changed based on the most up-to-date court rulings on lethal injection.

In a pre-session survey by The Associated Press, 28 of 49 senators or senators-elect said they supported changing Nebraska's method of execution to lethal injection. Flood said even though his bill is likely to see widespread support, he doesn't want to rush the debate. "We should have a thoughtful, high-level debate on this issue," Flood said. "It's an important issue, and I know some people disagree with me, and I respect other viewpoints." But Flood's bill won't have to get past the formidable Ernie Chambers, the former state senator from Omaha who always filibustered or otherwise blocked every bill that tried to change the state's method of execution. Chambers is an avid death penalty opponent, and while he couldn't get the body to ban executions, he was convinced the electric chair would eventually be ruled unconstitutional.

Nebraska justices proved him right in 2008, saying that While he's "generally on the same page" with President-elect Barack Obama on economic stimulus, infrastructure investment and energy policy, Nelson said, he will "need to see the details" of the new president's plans. Nelson said he supports investment in infrastructure improvements such as "shovel-ready" roads and bridges as well as community health centers, along with modernization of the nation's electric grid. The latter would open the opportunity for Nebraska and other states in the midwestern wind corridor to deliver wind-generated electricity to the nation's population centers, he said. Obama's stimulus package also will include tax relief for middle-income families as well as targeted business tax breaks. Cost of the plan has been estimated in the range of $675 billion to $775 billion.

The Congressional Budget Office on Wednesday estimated this fiscal year's budget deficit will approach $1.2 trillion even before stimulus spending and without counting expenditures in Iraq and Afghanistan. Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwaitonjournalstar.com. BY DON WALTON Lincoln Journal Star Sen. Ben Nelson said Wednesday he'H take "a very careful, cautious look" at proposed new tax cuts to make sure they will stimulate the economy. With the federal government staring at a trillion dollar deficit, Nelson said, it's important to determine whether or which specific tax cuts would be truly stimulative.

In particular, Nelson said, he will "need some assurances" that specific new business tax cuts meet that test. Nelson said he is prepared to support an extensive economic stimulus package that centers on infrastructure development. Although that package will increase deficit spending, he said, America "could tumble into a long-term economic depression" without substantial stimulation of the economy now. "If we don't do this, how far down will the spiral go?" he asked. "And what will be the damage then?" Nelson addressed the economic challenge during a telephone news conference from Washington.

Vol. 143, No. 8 USPS 0527- 200 Copyright Committee assignments LINCOLN JournaeiStar ournalstar.com wL Connect 2009 iSSN 1084-5283 January 8, 2009 issues (402) 473-7300 telephone 402) 4754200 Tentative committee assignments were made Wednesday, the opening day of the 101st Legislature: Agriculture: Tom Carlson (chairman), Annette Dubas, Brenda Council, Cap Dierks, Russ Karpisek, Scott Price, Ken Schilz, Norm Wallman Appropriations: Lavon Heidemann (chairman), John Nelson, John Harms, Tony Fulton, Heath Mello, John Wightman, Danielle Nantkes, Jeremy Nordquist, Tom Hansen Banking, Commerce and Insurance: Rich Pahls (chairman), Mark Christensen, Chris Langemeier, Pete Pirsch, Mike Gloor, Dave Pankonin, Beau McCoy, Dennis Utter Business and Labor: Steve Lathrop (chairman), Tom Carlson, Norm Wallman, Tom White, Ken Schilz, Amanda McGill, Brenda Council Education: Greg Adams (chairman), Abbie Cornett, Robert Giese, Bill Avery, Gwen Howard, Kate Sullivan, Ken Haar, Brad Ashford General Affairs: Russ Karpisek (chairman), Tanya Cook, Cap Dierks, Annette Dubas, Scott Price, Kent Rogert, Colby Coash, Mike Friend Government, Military and Veterans Affairs: Bill Avery (chairman), Pete Pirsch, Kate Sullivan, Russ Karpisek, Scott Price, Robert Giese, Charlie Janssen, Rich Pahls Health and Human Services: Tim Gay (chairman), Mike Gloor, Arnie Stuthman, Gwen Howard, Kathy Campbell, Dave Pankonin, Norm Wallman Judiciary: Brad Ashford (chairman), Mark Christensen, Amanda McGill, Steve Lathrop, Kent Rogert, Colby Coash, Scott Lautenbaugh Natural Resources: Chris Langemeier (chairman), Tanya Cook, Tom Carlson, Annette Dubas, Ken Schilz, Deb Fischer, Ken Haar, Beau McCoy Nebraska Retirement Systems: Dave Pankonin (chairman), Jeremy Nordquist, LeRoy Louden, Russ Karpisek, Heath Mello, Lavon Heidemann Revenue: Abbie Cornett (chairwoman), Cap Dierks, Greg Adams, Tom White, LeRoy Louden, Galen Hadley, Mike Friend, Dennis Utter Transportation and Telecommunications: Deb Fischer (chairwoman), Arnie Stuthman, Tim Gay, LeRoy Louden, Kathy Campbell, Scott Lautenbaugh, Galen Hadley, Charlie Janssen Urban Affairs: Mike Friend (chairman), Kent Rogert, Amanda McGill, Steve Lathrop, Tanya Cook, Colby Coash, Tom White Executive Board: John Wightman (chairman), John Nelson, Mark Christensen, Deb Fischer, Mike Rood, Russ Karpisek, Chris Langemeier, Rich Pahls, Tom White, Lavon Heidemann (nonvoting ex 926 Street I Delivery Lincoln NE 68508 General Mailing address: Lincoln Journal Star P.O. Box 81609 Lincoln NE 68501-1609 Published Member of Toll free Lobby Saturday, (800) 742-7315 hours Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; 6 a.m.-lO a.m.; Sunday, 6 a.m.

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only TDD number for the hearing impaired is (800) 833-7352 Periodical postage paid at Lincoln. NE 68501. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Lincoln Journal Star, Box 81609. Lincoln, NE 68501-1609 BY ANNA JO BRATTON The Associated Press A key state lawmaker on Thursday plans to introduce a bill to change the state's method of execution to lethal injection, nearly a year after the state Supreme Court struck down use of the electric chair. Speaker Mike Flood, who sets the legislative agendasaid Wednesday that his bill will follow Attorney General Jon Brun-ing's recommendation that the state corrections department devise the lethal recipe and administration of drugs to execute prisoners.

"It seems to make the most sense, rather than requiring the legislature to specifically prescribe what chemical makeup or mixture should be used, it seems to me it makes sense to have the Department of Corrections do this," Flood said. In February, the Nebraska Supreme Court declared electrocution the state's only means of execution cruel and unusual punishment, and therefore unconstitutional. The ruling left the state with no legal Lead Continued from Page 1A empt the following: Items that contain lead parts that a child cannot access. Clothing, toys and other goods that are made of natural materials such as cotton and wood. Electronics that are technically impossible to make without lead.

The commission also tentatively approved a rule that clarifies how it determines exclusions from the law. The vote opens a 30-day public comment period that will begin when notice of the rules are printed in the Federal Register. Interested parties can submit comments by signing up to receive e-mail from the CPSC, which will keep them aware of the next steps. No final rules will be approved until after Feb. 10, which is the date the testing rules go into effect.

That means retailers and manufacturers who sell untested children's merchandise would technically be in violation of the new law starting Feb. 10. Whether federal regulators will enforce the rules which might entail inspections at thousands of secondhand stores and toy shops across the country is another question. "The CPSC is an agency with limited resources and tremendous responsibility to protect the safety of families," said Scott Wolf-son, a commission spokesman. "Our focus will be on those areas we can have the biggest impact and address the most dangerous products." Raises Continued from Page 1A also used for management salary decisions and generally affect more man 16,000 employees.

There are at least two other bargaining units, one for law enforcement and another for teachers in specific state institutions. Employees will be able to join the union and vote during elections Friday and Saturday. Two years ago the union and state negotiators took their contract disagreements to a Special master and men to the Commission on Industrial Relations. The result was some state workers received up to 7.5 percent increases in each of the past two years plus another 2.5 percent increase on their hiring anniversary, because they were underpaid in comparison with similar workers in other states. Other employees received 2.5 percent raises each year.

Highlights of the current contract proposal will be available on the union's Web site, www.napeafscme.org, sometime today. Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicksjournalstar.com. Powerball (Jan. 7) 23,31,33,38,52 Powerball: 24 Power Play: 5 Jackpot: $105 million Pick 3 (Jan. 7) 5,4,6 Pick 5 (Jan.

7) 6,13,27,28,35 My Day (Jan. 7) 9,10,27 Nebraska 2 by 2 (Jan, 7) Red: 8, 9 White: 5, 17 On the Web: Visit www.nelottery.com for current and past winning numbers. If you see an error in the Journal Stars news coverage, we want to know. Call the city desk at 473-7306 or (800) 742-7315 after 9 a.m. Monday-Saturday and after 2:30 p.m.

Sunday. E-mail the city editor at citydeskjoumalstar.com. Or write to Corrections, P.O. Box 81689, Lincoln, NE 68501. evidence shows electrocution inflicts "intense pain and agonizing suffering" and that electrocution "has proven itself to be a dinosaur more befitting the laboratory of Baron Frankenstein" than a state prison.

This year, term limits forced Chambers out, so he won't be around to block a vote. Last year the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Kentucky's use of lethal injection, but two out of the nine justices disagreed with the majority. If Kentucky's protocol contained safeguards to ensure inmates were unconscious before they're killed such as calling out the inmate's name or shaking him the two dissenting justices said, they would have found the protocol constitutional. Bruning's study recommends those concerns be addressed in any injection protocol Nebraska might adopt, That way, the protocol would "arguably receive nine favorable votes from the current court," the study says.

sensus as possible, said former Sen. Don Wesely, who headed the Health and Human Services Committee. Because Nebraska doesn't have a partisan party structure, the Legislature needs to have strong committees, said Wesely, now a lobbyist. So the chairmanship of committees is key. Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicksjournalstar.com.

ises under different titles that have fallen short. She said the bureaucracy's entrenched problems have taken decades to develop and will take time to fix. But she said it would be different this time. "I have seen it done," Killefer said at Obama's side. Obama has to give Congress in early February a budget request at least the bare bones of one covering spending for the next fiscal year.

Because that's so soon after he takes over the executive branch of government, his submission won't be anything like the usual one that fills several volumes and hundreds of pages. Pelosi, speaking before the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, offered her own assurance that the stimulus plan would be responsible and that Democrats are committed to long-term fiscal discipline. Economist Martin Feldslein joined others talking to the congressional panel to endorse the need for a big short-term spending package. But he also warned against anything that could create a spending habit and swell the deficit even further. "There should be an exit strategy," he said.

For all the talk of ening, minority Republican leaders sounded only cautious ly optimistic. "We cannot borrow and spend our way back to prosperity when we're already running an annual deficit of more than one trillion dollars," House Re publican leader John Boehner of Ohio said. "I was pleased to hear the president-elect say yesterday that we need to stop just talking about our national debt and actively confront it." Associated Press writer Jim Kuhnhenn contributed to this story. Questions? Comments? Publisher John Matter 473-7410 newsroomiournalstar.com Newsroom phone: 473-7301 Newsroom fax: 473-7291 Library: 473-7297 hnaherjoumalstar.com Need Tickets? concerts, family entertainment sporting events check out tickets.jouroafstar.com Power Continued from Page 1A tions as the chairmen of committees, by seniority and knowledge of the system, and by their personal skills getting bills into law. With term limits there are few senior members in the Nebraska Legislature.

Thirty-six of the 49 senators have served two years or less. Just two senators have served more than eight years: Sens. Brad Ashford of Omaha and Cap Dierks of Ewing returned two years ago after an absence from the body. So leadership at the beginning of the 2009 session lies with committee chairmen, who have some control over what bills get to the full Legislature and in what form. That committee chairmen list reflects the non-partisan nature of the Unicameral and includes three Democrats and 13 Republicans, all elected by the 49 senators on Wednesday morning, in a secret ballot if more than one person was running for a chairmanship.

The three Democrats elected from a total of 17 were Bill Avery of Lincoln, Russ Karpisek of Wilber and Steve Lathrop of Omaha. The committee election process shows the grass-roots power structure of the Unicameral, said Larry Ruth, a retired lobbyist who teaches political science at Nebraska Wesleyan University. In most legislatures, committee chairmen are selected by party caucuses, often in secret, he said. But in Nebraska, the secret ballot for chairmanships by the entire body allows people to cross party lines to vote for leaders. "We typically see leadership positions going to both Democrats and Republicans, Benefits Continued from Page 1A new year.

Obama gave his first ballpark estimate of the total amount of the stimulus package expected to emerge from negotiations between his team and Capitol Hill, saying it is likely to hover around $775 billion over two years That's about $400 billion less than outside economists have said might be needed to jolt the economy but at the top of the range that Obama aides and congressional leaders have discussed publicly. "We're going to have to jump-start this economy," Obama said. "That's going to cost some money." The president-elect said concerns about increasing the deficit to unmanageable levels swayed him against the higher figures advocated by some. Flouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi also pressed for passage of a recovery bill, though the mid-February timeline she offered represented another slip in the date by which the package would be ready for Obama's signature. Initially, the goal was to have it finished by the time he takes office a week from next Tuesday.

Obama's repeated emphasis amid the stimulus talk on a need for spending control is aimed in part at attracting more support from deficit hawks in Congress. He said Wednesday, without details, that his Initial budget proposal next month will include "some very specific outlines" of how he plans to tackle spending. That extends to the ballooning and so-far unsolv-able fiscal problem presented by the Social Security and Monday through Sunday by Journal Star Printing Co. the Associated Press and Audit Bureau of Circulation. How to place an ad For classified ads: 473-7373; Classified ad hours are: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 Friday, 7:30 ajii-5 pjn.

Closed Saturdays and Sundays For retail and other ads: 473-7450; Foronanead information: 473-2643 For Celebrate submissions: 473-7302; Please recycle this newspaper Editor Michael Nelson 473-7334 mnelsonioumalstar.coni Prices good thru Wednesday Jan. 14, 2009 $9.99 $13.99 $24.99 $17.99 $35.99 $16.99 $24.99 $25.99 $18.99 $22.99 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.751 1.75 1,75 1.75 750 ml 750 ml 1.75 rm 750 ml $8.99 750 ml $8.99 750 ml $7.99 750 ml $10.99 1.5 $5.99 ZESSD $10.49 $13.99 $10.69 $16.49 $13.99 $16.49 24 pks warm 30 pks warm oz. 18 pks warm 24 pks warm 30 pks warm 24 pks warm i VISA which is astounding to people in other states," he said. The legislative process in Nebraska relies heavily on committees, which hold public hearings on each bill, screen the bills, often rewriting them before they are considered by the full Legislature, Committees work through the issues and bring bills to the floor that have as much con Medicare programs, which Obama promised would be "a central part" of his deficit-reduction plan. The stimulus package is expected to easily pass Congress, now controlled by solid Democratic majorities in both houses.

But since it is the first major legislative test of an administration that promised to usher in a new era of bipartisan cooperation, and a measure of such enormous scope and import, Obama doesn't want to see it approved on a merely party-line vote. On Wednesday, he made good on a campaign promise and introduced his choice for a new White House post he is creating: chief performance officer. Nancy Killefer, a professional efficiency expert, is charged with scouring the federal budget to eliminate programs that don't work and improve those that do, Obama called her appointment "among the most important that I will make." "We committed to changing the way our government in Washington does business so that we're no longer squandering billions of tax dollars on programs that have outlived their usefulness or exist solely because of the power of a lobbyist or an interest group," Obama said. Killefer, the director of a management consulting firm and a former assistant treasury secretary, will be Obama's batchet woman, with power to recommend directly to him the slashing of programs and projects governmentwide. She'll help agencies set performance standards and hold managers accountable.

But she also will run up against a long history of other chief executives' similar prom Popov Vodka Gilbey's Gin Jim Beam Seagram's 7 Crown Johnnie Walker Red Canadian Club Captian Morgan Drambuie Liqueur Kahlua Liqueur Skyy Vodka Folie Menage Red Mark West Pinot IMoir Placido Pinot Grigio Starborough Sauv. Blanc Vendange Milwaukee's Best Miller High Life Busch Reg. Coors Reg. Key Lt. or Old Mil Bud Select 12 A STREET DRIVE-IN 19th tJ Street 477-6077 wj OPEN: Mon, Set.

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