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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 29, 1994)
Spence questions Nelson’s record at debate By ueura Janssen Senior Reporter Sparks flew this weekend at the first gubernatorial debate of the year, as Republican Gene Spence challenged incumbent Ben Nelson for his leader ship on issues ranging from spending to crime to low-level waste. Spence, who during the debate on Friday often challenged the gover nor’s record, called Nelson hypocriti cal on spending and irresponsible on low-level waste. “I just don’t see your leadership, Ben,” Spence told the governor during the debate in the Open Air Auditorium at the Nebraska State Fair. “If I were in your shoes, I would have trouble look ing people in the eye.” Nelson defended his record on all issues addressed during the debate. “I’m proud of my record as gover nor of the stale of Nebraska,” Nelson said. “Since you elected me as gover nor four years ago. I have made prom ises. and, yes, I have kept those prom ises.” Spence began by questioning Nelson’s record on spending. Since Nelson has been governor, Spence said, state spending had increased 25 per cent. “I don’t know that we’re 25 percent better off,” he said. But Nelson, referring to a chart, said spending had gone down since he became governor. Nelson said spend ing in the 1994 fiscal year had de creased .15 percent. Spence also said Nelson increased bonuses given to state employees dur ing a time of budget crises. “I find that hypocritical,” Spence said. Nelson responded by say i ng bonus es had, in fact, decreased by 10 per cent. Bonuses given to his administra tion had been eliminated. Nelson said. and bonuses given to other state em ployees were well-deserved and based on work performance. Spence criticized the governor for his failure to get an adult crime bill passed through the Nebraska Legisla ture. “If Ben had worked half as hard on the adult crime bill as he had on the lottery, we’d have had an adult crime bill,” Spence said. Spence also criticized the state pa role board. “After four years of Ben and his parole board, we continue to release violent criminals,” he said. Spence said the parole board should be abolished, and the governor should review personally the cases of violent criminals who were eligible forparole. Nelson called that proposal imprac tical. “You can’t become the parole board,” Nelson said. “You’ve got to work with the system that’s there.” Nelson proposed two changes for the parole board. First, the governor should be able to hire and fire members of the parole board for any reason, he said. Second, the governor should have the authority to overrule decisions made by the pa role board. Nelson said. Another key issue during the de bate was low-level radioactive waste. Spence said Nelson had a responsi bility to see that a low-level radioac tive waste repository was built in the state in a timely fashion. Several years ago, the state was contracted to house the repository for five states, including Nebraska. Boyd County was selected as the site for the repository, which has not been built yet. “The governor has been irresponsi ble by not going ahead with low-level waste,” he said. '‘When will it be housed, Ben?” Nelson said the repository would “I just don't see your leadership, Ben. If I were in your shoes, I would have trouble looking people in the eye. ” ■ SPENCE Republican gubernatorial candidate be built only when it had received community consent and only if it was absolutely safe. The state is trying to get communi ty consent, Nelson said. “You can’t spend too much time being loo safe,” he said. Get No Service Charge Checking And This FREE Gift From FirsTier! ' This Coleman® Flashlight Trio is FREE when you open any personal checking account at FirsTier. We have seven smart checking plans to meet your needs, including our popular No Service Charge Personal Checking Account. 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MM* Fine LENDER —““mmmm Nel>ra&kan Editor Jeff Zeleny 472-1766 Managing Editor Anaie Brunkow Assoc News Editors Jeffrey Robb Rainbow Rowell FAX NUMBER 472-1761 The Daily NebraskanfUSPS 144-080) is published by the UNL Publications Board, Nebraska Union 34,1400 R St., Lincoln, NE 68588-0448, Monday through Friday during the academic year; weekly during summer sessions. Readers are encouraged to submit story ideas and comments to the Daily Nebraskan by phonina 472-1763 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday . The public also has access to the Publications Board For information, contact Tim Hedegaard, 436 9258 Subscnption price is $50 for one year Postmaster: Send address changes to the Daily Nebraskan, Nebraska Union 34,1400 R St..Lincoln, NE 68588-0448. Second-class postage paid at Lincoln, NE. ALL MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 1994 DAILY NEBRASKAN \F= 1994 SPECIALIZED bikes CLEARANCE PRICED