Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 23, 1993)
Nelson calls Robak questions expected controversy has partisan flavor, governor says By Steve Smith Senior Reporter Gov. Ben Nelson said Wednesday he wasn’t surprised by the questions raised about his appointment of Kim Robak as Nebraska’s 35th lieutenant governor. Nor was he surprised by where the questions have come from. “I’m not trying to raise an ulterior motive, but it seems that all of the questions about this appointment are coming from the other side of the political aisle,” Nelson told reporters at his weekly press conference. Nelson announced Sept. 14 that he would appoint Robak, his chief of staff, to succeed Maxine Moul, who will vacate the position in October to become director of the Nebraska De partment of Economic Development. But questions arose three days lat er about Nelson’s constitutional pow er to make the changes, j State Sen. LaVon Crosby asked j Attorney General Don Stenberg late last week for an opinion to clarify what she termed “ambiguities” in the Nebraska Constitution. Crosby said she thought Nelson could appoint Robak without confir mation from the Nebraska Legisla ture, but in a Sept. 17 press release she said she wanted to clarify the ques tion. “It is my intention to continue this review ... to help me in seeing what should be done, if anything, to clear up the murkiness of the (Nebraska Constitution’s) passages and give the governor a clear direction on how to appoint when a vacancy occurs,” Crosby said. A 1979 amendment to Article IV, Section 11 of the Nebraska Constitu tion doesn’tsay gubernatorial appoint ments need the legislature’s approv al. The amendment, which was pro posed by then-Sen. J.B. Murphy of South Sioux City, states the governor can appoint successors to elected state offices that are vacated. But Article IV, Section 10 says the governor must appoint “all persons whose offices are established by the Constitution,” with the Legislature’s approval. Nelson said legislative approval wasn’t sought in 1981 when Republi can Gov. Charles Thone appointed top aide Kay Orr as state treasurer. The same held true for the appoint ment of Bob Spire, who was named attorney general by former Gov. Bob Kerrey. “There was no question about (those appointments), ’ Nelson said. Nelson said he would oppose any legislation requiring the Legislature’s approval of future gubernatorial ap pointments. “I ’d oppose it,” Nelson said. “(This appointment) is a separation-of-pow ers issue. There shouldn’t be any par tisanship on this.” For the time being, Nelson said he was pleased Robak’s name was in the media so often. If the current level of media coverage continued, he said, the new lieutenant governor would “soon be a household name” across the state. “The more times I see Kim Robak’s name in the paper and on the news, the better," he said. Nelson said the reasons for the appointment he gave last week were “valid enough for making the switch. ” Nelson said reaction to Robak’s appointment in the media and among state government officials had been strong, assuring him that Robak would be supported by the Legislature if the issue came to a vote. X Continued from Page 1 make less than their parents.” As a result, Harris said, people look out only for themselves. Elizabeth Carranza-Rodriguez, a consultant for the Office of Multi cultural Affairs, said the majority, in particular, could become more afraid in the future as minorities make up a greater percentage of the population. “As the numbers increase, at times people will feel threatened,” she said. “Ignorance is not bliss; it’s very scary.” Part of tire solution lies in diverse tor of ethnic minority programs for the UNL Office for Student Involve ment. “Friendship is what we’re miss ing ” she said. Even though this generation talks about diversity more than previous generations, Ray said, it doesn’t seem to result in actions or changes in atti tudes. r - ■ -M I think we’ve hit e point of complacen cy. I think thla gener ation Is not ready to put up the type of effort that was put up for them. -nHarris special assistant to the vice chancellor for student affairs “It looks veiy bleak to me unless we begin to establ ish stronger lines of communication,” she said. Harris said to stave off future frag mentation, this generation must unite around the common cause of improv ing society for everyone, not just indi viduals. “If America is still worrying about race problems, we’ re not going to lose as individual people,” he said. We’re going to lose as a country.” ^ret Connection I 17th A Van Dom I 25% OFF"COUPON "" ' ANY SALTWATER nSH (Excluding sale items, and special orders) Expires 9/31/93 " ~ ” "buy ONE FRESHWATER j FISH, GET ONE FREE! ($5.M value or less, excludes I fish already on special) Expires 9/31/93 __iknomSms«» * v» AQUARIUM SALE 75 gal. tank, top & light $249 f 55 gal. tank, top & light $99 |j 29 gal. tank, top & light $59 ^ 75% oil accessories with tank purchase. Whisper Power Filters Whisper I (isogph) $25.99 <•*. Whisper II (200gph) $31.99 (Ng.s4i.tt) Sale Ends 9/31/93 The Pet Connection 17th & Van Dorn423-2431 r Police Report-i Beginning midnight Monday 7:54 aji.—Window broken, Wick Alumni Center, $250. 8:43 a.m. — Windows keyed, Devaney Center, $100. 10:16 aja.—Car accident, belat ed, Haiper-Schramm-Smith, $400. 10:39 a.m.—Bike stolen, Bancroft Hall, $50. 11:13 a.m. — Bike wheel bent, Harper Hall, $25. 2:26 p.m.—Checks taken, City of Lincoln, $1. 2:26 p.m.—Forgery, City of Lin coln. 4:33 p.m.—Bike stolen, Neihaidt Hall, $500. i “ACHINGLY FUNNY...A MOVlS Fill ft feXUMtoNCfc* I - VteoM* Caafcy, TWE Nm YOWtTWM_ A NEW MEDY BY KEN UMCH...REALLY1_ • Finii.m ©1992 Fine Line Features All Rights Reserved University Program Council International Film Series Sunday, Sept. 26,1993 at 3,5,7,9 P.M. in the Ross Theater, Sheldon Gallery. Students $3, non-Students, $5 For more info, call: 472-8146 With good behavior, you'll be out in just 5 months. With a 4 year college degree, you can begin your career in law as a paralegal in just 5 months. • Approved by the American Bar Association • Free lifetime national placement assistance' • Financial aid available for eligible students • Includes a 100 hour internship Call today for a free video "Your Career In Law" 1-800-848-0550 DENVER PARALEGAL INSTITUTE 1401 19th Street Denver, CO 80202 Bocton Acoustics Audio Research Pioneer Elite Panasonic Onkyo Velodyne Thiel Monster Cable Yamaha Hotel • B & W Alpine • Denon Magnepan . Definitive Nakamictli “ _ M & K Adcom P S Audio Eclipse IBOn Surround Sound, THX Systems, Receivers, Amps, Cables, ■CD's, All video products, Pre-amps, Autosound products, UBlHHSpeaker systems, Speaker Stands, ETC., ETC., ETC., V ^ Layaways Limited To 10 Days Sale Ends When One o£a Kind Demos .Are Gone! ELECTRONICS OMAHA 7511 PACIFIC LINCOLN 56TH & "O* ST. 1 1 - Quaiity ^Product* cSoCcl Ay ZPtofiCc. wfio Cat* ■■ ■ "■ ' *'■ w • ' *1 *■!. ■
