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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 1997)
BRUNING from page 1 it because here I can have an impact.” Bruning, a 1990 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a 1993 graduate of the NU College of Law said government should regulate its spending by tightening its belt as much as he has. On a shelf in Ins office, he displays a model of the green Ford Explorer he sold to cut his expenses. He and Deonne Bruning, an attorney in the communica tions department of the Nebraska Pub lic Service Commission, now commute to Lincoln daily in a 1991 Moony Sable with 80,000 miles on it But Deonne Bruning shares her husband’s excitement about his new position. “I was really excited because I knew Jon could contribute,” she said. “It’s a change already, and it’s going to be a bigger change when we have a baby this summer. “But both things are wonderful and we wouldn’t want to give them up.” Jon Bruning was introduced to fi nancial challenges early in his cam paign for the Legislature. Because he was challenging a popular incumbent, Mike Avery, special interest groups were reluctant to invest in Ms candi dacy. Bruning instead built Ms campaign from the ground up, campaigning from door to door every night from Febru ary toNovember. Although the cam paign was hotly contested, Bruning ended up pulling away to win 57 per cent of the vote. Since Ms swearing-in on Jan. 7, Bruning has sought to define himself as a strong representative of Ms dis trict in Sarpy County. But he hasn’t avoided some ribbing about Ms youth fiiMess. Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers dubbed Bruning “Senator Goober” in a poem. On the first day of the session, 28th District Sen. Chris Beutler noted that he and outgoing 10th District Sen. Carol Pirsch had each begun their leg islative careers in 1978, when Bruning was “a precocious third-grader.” As a freshman senator, Bruning said he wants to learn about the everyday business of the Capitol and speak only when prepared. But when the debate demands Ms input, he said he is not afraid to speak jout. “I want t6 be thought of as a thoughtful, bright, hardworking young senator,” he stud. i: By Kasey Kerber Staff Reporter \ ASUN passed a government bill Wednesday supporting LB73, a state bill that would exclude college sociation of Students of the Univer sity of Nebraska. ASUN President Eric Marintzer said jury duty often interferes with academic curriculum. “T think thp. state has a fjnvfampntal duty to the educatkxutf its students,” hesakL ‘This bill addresses that” Malcolm Kass, Government Li aisdd^bthmittee chainnan, said the last Gl^Cmeetingended with a 20 — 10 vote in favor of LB73. But the ASUN vote had only one member voting in opposition, and SEISATUKS from page 1 Jon Bruning Sen. Jon Bruning of Omaha’s 3rd District entered the legislative session as the youngest senator, at attorney and versity of braska-Li alumnus thougnt state f erty taxes wen high and want help search ways spending. Bruning property tax issues were especially important his dis trict in Sarpy County, which includes large rural areas. As Omaha expands and the district becomes more urban, crime will become a concern, he said. Bruning said he would try to make : up for his lack of experience by re searching the issues and bringing en thusiasm to his job. “It’s the biggest responsibility I’ve ever bad, and I take it very seriously,” pen bn die floor affect the lives of all Nebraskans.” ; . ■ n Gene Tyson Gene Tyson of Norfolk de run for the Legislator g dissatisfied with h , r ~ ... if retired Nucor Steel busi-; nessman, Tyson" said his conserva ; tiye principles fitted hi^con-^ body ought to participate in govern ment,” he said. “I was retired and had the time and inclination to serve in the Legislature.” In addition to the property tax and educational funding expected to domi nate this year’s session, Tyson said he expected important water issues to come to the Legislature’s attention. Donald Pederson Sen. Donald Pederson, a North Platte attorney, was appointed to the 42nd District seat in September follow ing pavid Ber nard-Stevens’ res ignation. “I thought there was some thing I could do to contribute to the state, and it was an opportunity to uti lize what I’ve learned in the i practice of law,” Wm he said. reaerson nas assumed ms position as a member of the appropriations committee, which he said would deal extensively with funding for public education and tax base issues. “There’s a tremendous amount of work involved,” he said. “But I am ex traordinarily impressed with the qual ity of legislators in this state. They’re very helpful and supportive, and very conscientious.” _ Shelley Kiel Sen. Shelley Kiel of Omaha’s 9th District ran for the Legislature because of a desire to have an impact on sev eral issues including domestic vio lence, small business incentives and technology. She said the incidence of domestic violence in Omaha was higher than the national average and was of special concern to her district in central Omaha. A member of the appropriations committee, Kiel also said the state should search for ways to reward small business owners for their contributions to the economy. As she and her hus band are co-founders of Flat World, a multimedia technology company, she also has an interest in technological is sues. “There is very high energy here,” she said. “The senators and staff are very diligent. I have yet to see factions or coalitions, and it’s a very good indi cation that the Legislature works in a nonpartisan nature.” Deb Suttle Sen. Deb Suttle of the 9th District in Omaha was appointed by Gov. Ben Nelson to replace Carol Pirsch, who resigned to serve as a member of the Douglas County Board of Commis sioners. Previously a volunteer lobbyist, Suttle said she j didn’t always agree with Pirsch’s positions g^le and ran against her in 1994. Suttle plans to sponsor a bill pro viding court-appointed special advo cates for troubled youths in an effort to prevent crime. under the Douglas Theater 13th & P St. • 435-3111 Two othetlocations at: ^ 48th & R St. • 466-1201 I m __ _____I
