The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, February 13, 1997, Page 3, Image 3
Nelson’s proposed tax cuts gamer lukewarm response By Erin Gibson Senior Reporter Ben Nelson challenged state party leaders Wednesday to step forward in support of his proposed tax cuts, which he said have re ceived no response from the state Legislature. State lawmakers’ response to the cuts has been silence, Nelson said. The silence is a result of sena tors’ doubt that Nebraska can af ford to sustain the cuts over two or more years, he said. Nelson said his tax cuts were possible because of a surplus in state-collected tax dollars made fea sible by a strong Nebraska economy. “The prosperity of Nebraska is real,” Nelson said. “There’s no sign of any slippage.” Nelson’s proposed cuts include a state income-tax cut of about 5 percent and a homeowner’s state • tax credit of $160. Deb Hardin Quirk, chairwoman of the Nebraska Democratic Party, announced her support for the governor’s cuts Wednesday after noon. Republican party leaders did not respond Wednesday. Nelson said last week Nebras kans were enthusiastic about the cuts. Members of the Legislature who doubt his proposal and are “lukewarm” about it should listen to their_constituents, he said. But the response of some con stituents — University of Ne braska-Lincoln students — Wednesday was as lukewarm as the Legislature’s response. Many students thought an in come-tax cut, if possible, would be a help to struggling students. Some students said they had no real income and would not be af fected by tax cuts outside of cuts in gas or sales taxes. Jaime Brooks, a UNL sopho more in criminal justiefc, said Nelson’s tax-cut proposal was probably a political ploy and too good to be true. “I think it’s talk,” Brooks said. “I think it sounds good, but it’s not going to happen.” Tax cuts are not possible today because of the demand on tax dol lars from state-funded programs. The government could not have enough money to afford cuts, she said. But, if the state income tax is cut, Brooks said, the extra dollars she would keep from her paycheck would be helpful. “I’ll be very happy if it really happens,” she said. Jay McConnell, a sophomore pre-dentistry major, agreed a tax cut would please many working Nebraskans. “I don’t know how he’ll do it,” McConnell said. “If he can do it without adding on in some other area, I’m for it.” Afrikan People’s Union says cross burning merits action By KaseyKerber Staff Reporter The Association of Students of the University of Nebraska had officially adjourned its Wednesday night meet ing when a guest speaker arrived to discuss the aftermath of the Sigma Chi cross-burning incident. Eric Crump, chairman of campus advocacy and race relations for the Afrikan People’s Union, spoke of the university’s lack of action following Sigma Chi fraternity’s burning of a cross. He urged ASUN to push for ac tion on the issue. “The scariest thing about this is the silence,” Crump said. “Silence, as you know, indicates consent.” Crump also advocated for a review of the Student Code of Conduct in re gards to the cross burning. He had personally found six vio lations of the Student Code of Con duct, falling under such areas as ha rassment, dangerous conduct and pub lic threats, he said. If the Code of Conduct does not punish such acts, Crump said, it should be revised. “If this was not a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, it should be,” he said. “If need be, we could re vise it from head to toe.” Crump said he would attend ASUN’s meeting next week to answer questions and address further con cerns. In other ASUN news: ■ Bill No. 18 passed, which rec ognized two student organizations — Latinos United in the Pursuit of Aca demic Excellence and UNL Men Speak Out Against Violence. ■ Campus Life Committee Chair woman Amy Rager announced that a student survey would be composed to evaluate student safety concerns at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. ■ The Committee for Fees and Allocation submitted Appropriation Bills No. 1-4 for consideration by ASUN senators for next week’s meet ing. TAfV When you learn that your W\J/^V child has a neuromuscular 1 f ^ disease, you have a million 1 \ a. { questions. MDA answers | V 1TDV them all through special J videos and brochures for parents, and Just by being 4 Cj-± there. It's education for life. *r _\ If you need MDA. 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