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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 10, 1992)
y "i Dcllly -g . ^ 73/44 1 Im. I -M I V" atornoorf^hunderstorms. I I M ■ ■ A ■ 1 r ■ M. ■ r V V ■ Tonight, partiy cloudy. Satur ■ V H H H )|? ^ day, considerable cloudiness 1 ^1 vUl ClJJVCI.X I. lLH-!— Impact of cigarette tax not cut and dried Economist says hike won’t reduce smoking By Cindy Kimbrough Senior Reporter proposal that would increase Nebraska’s cigarette tax by 25 cents could have both positive and negative effects on the university, a UNL economics professor said. John Anderson said a tax proposal that the Clean Environment Committee, a Nebraska environmental protection-group, was attempt ing to get on the November general election ballot, was not so cut and dried. On one hand, he said, the proposed tax could set aside up to 20 percent, or about $6.6 million dollars, to go toward cancer research at the University of Nebraska, and could create new revenue for the university. On the other hand, Anderson said, the pro posed tax could preclude further funding for capital construction. The proposed 25-cent tax is a large increase, he said, considering that current state tax rates are about 27 cents and package and federal rates are 16 cents. Such a large increase may cause legislators and voters to be reluctant to raise a cigarette tax in the future for additional funding. But the higher price should not hurt the cigarette market significantly, Anderson said. Excise taxes, or additional taxes on the consumption of a commodity, usually are not borne fully by the consumer, but are divided between the producer and consumer. But with products such as cigarettes, when the demand for a good is fairly unresponsive or “inelastic” to a change in price, the extra cost of the tax is mostly paid for by the consumer, causing some to stop purchasing the good. Because cigarettes have proven to be inelas tic, he said, the number of cigarettes purchased See TAX on 6 UNL wouldn’t lose funds, proponents say By Cindy Kimbrough Senior Reporter Fears that a proposed 25-cent cigarette tax increase would cut into university fund ing are groundless, several environmental proponents said. The Nebraska Clean Environment Act is not a “bugaboo” against the University of Ne braska, said Francis Moul, head of the Clean Environment Committee. The committee, a Nebraska environmental protection group, needs 41,000 signatures for the proposed tax to be placed on the November general election ballot. If approved, the tax would raise about $33 million for various environmental and health programs that may involve the university. Moul said the tax would provide $15 million for a major statewide tree planting/wildlife/ habitat/jobs and education program to restore pure air, soil and water to Nebraska. Another 25 percent would be used to start a statewide recycling program to help communities market recyclable goods and collect recyclable waste. For the university, he said, 20 percent of the tax, or about $6.6 million, could be set aside for cancer research and stop-smoking action pro grams. But some NU officials are concerned the raise could compromise university capital construction funding, which also comes from cigarette tax revenues. The concern was prompted after Moul lob bied the NU Board of Regents Governance Committee Sunday for its recommendation to the full board that it support the proposal in May. NU Regent Charles Wilson of Lincoln has said that if cigarette tax money was used to finance too many projects, those revenues might See CIGARETTE on 6 williarr I a^er/DN ASUN president Andrew Sigerson explains his parking-fee proposal during the Parking Advisory Committee hearing Thursday at the Wick Alumni Center. Ron Fuller, staff assistant for the UNL Police Department, attended with about 70 staff, faculty and students. Committee cuts $20 parking fee By Virginia Newton Staff Reporter A one-time S20 supplement fee pro posed by the Parking Advisory Committee to improve safety meas ures in UNL parking lots was receded Thurs day at the committee’s open forum. An amendment submitted by Yancey Gamer, vice-chairman of the committee, proposed that the construction of a new parking office be postponed, and that the $150,000 set aside for the project—instead of the $20 fee — be used for safety meas ures. In addition, the committee adopted a proposal presented by the Association of Students ot University o! Nebraska that would increase parking permits by $2 to $5 for one year. The proposal originally called for the increases to be spread out over four years. The breakdown will be as follows: all permits more than $20 will increase by $2; permits more than $30 will increase by $3; permits more than $50 will increase by $4; and permits less than $100, but more than $50, will increase by $5. The revenue generated from the AS UN proposal, along with the university’s $22,000 Bond surplus, will be used to improve safety measures in parking areas at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The improvements include seven of the nine priorities listed in the April 7, 1992, AbuiN/Acaaemic senate rancing- aaiety Proposal. These priority items are: •Twelve light poles. •Forty-four lights in the East Campus loop and the driveway on the south side of Cather-Pound Residence Hall. •Courtesy/emergency phones at each of the nine bus shelters. •Parking lot security patrol. The $20 supplement fee recommended by the committee no longer will be an op tion in the proposal recommended by the committee, Garner said. The new amendment and other parking issues will be further discussed at the com mittee’s next meeting on April 30 at 3:30 p.m. in the East Campus Union. Forum delves into disability act guidelines By Alan Phelps Senior Editor bout 35 people attended a forum Thurs day afternoon in the Johnny Carson Theater to voice concerns about whether UNL meets guidelines set up under the Ameri cans with Disabilities Act. Among the topics discussed at the forum were computer and library accessibility for the visually impaired, building accessibility, am plifiers on campus telephones for the hearing impaired, parking problems and the general campus atmosphere for disabled students and employees. Members of a University of Nebraska-Lin coln self-evaluation task force listened to stu dents and faculty to prepare for a report to be sent to UNL Chancellor Graham Spanier by July 1. The forum was required under the Ameri cans with Disabilities Act, which deals largely with private-sector accessibility, but also calls for public entities to make all programs fully accessible. George Tuck, president of the Academic Senate, brought up several points, including the lack of Avery Hall’s accessibility for those using wheelchairs. “Students have to go around to the back, zigzag up a ramp and wait for someone to open a door,” he said. Tuck added that during the winter, he had found students “covered with snow" waiting for the door to be opened. He also mentioned that the College of Jour nalism was beginning to look into purchasing some computers. He asked members of the task force where he could obtain information on how to make a new lab more accessible. Margo Hoisington, a clinical psychology graduate student who is visually impaired, said that when the university purchased computers, those responsible should take such questions into consideration. Some types of computers, See FORUM on 6 Regents to assess peer findings l By Dionne Searcey Senior Editor The NU Board of Regents will hear recommendations for UNL’s new peer group at its monthly board meeting Saturday. Joe Rowson, director of public affairs, said three former university presidents would present their find ings to the regents. \ The team was asked to analyze and recommend whether the Uni versity of Ne braska-Lincoln’s peer group still was viable in de termining faculty salaries. The university now compares it self to Illinois, Iowa State, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Purdue, Ohio Stale, Penn State and Wisconsin. The proposed peer group would include Auburn, Colorado State, Iowa State, Kansas State, Massachusetts at Amherst, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Tennessee and Washington State. See REGENTS on 6 The top-ranked Nebraska gym nastics’ team will duel number two Stanford this weekend. Page 7 The legendary Ray Charles will bring his distinctive sound tonight and Saturday. Page 9. iA/. INDEX 0 Wire 2 Opinion 4 Manuel Noriega is found guilty on Sports 7 eight drug and racketeering charges. A&E 9 Pa9*2 Classifieds 10