The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, February 19, 1999, Image 1
I SPORTS Leit weight 1 The Nebraska men’s gymnastics team battles No. 1 4 Iowa and Minnesota this weekend in unfamiliar 1 territory: the Devaney track. PAGE 12 ft & E Location jokes 1 Duffy’s Comedy Night is Lincoln’s only venue I for local comedy and improv. The life of a comic, i though, isn’t all laughs. PAGE 10 FRIDAY February 19, 1999 It Snows Without Saying Mostly cloudy, snow, high 35. Snow tonight, low 25. VOL. 98 COVERING THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN SINCE 1901 NO. 105 1 You # ■* wmyoulos i some, some Matt Miller/DN KELLI KOMZ OF KEARNEY kisses her boyfriend Ben Koch, a junior from Cozad, after he lost Thursday afternoon in the first round of the 1999 Nebraska State High School Wrestling Tournament at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The tournament continues all day Friday and Saturday, forcing the Husker men’s gymnastics meet against Minnesota tonight to move to the track area of the Devaney Center. By 2 p.m. Saturday, 896 wrestlers will be pared down to 112 wrestlers for the finals. * Tin » rrr-r tt-it-. t »-,» r»-v /T^XT i l uworviy LJi't SOPHOMORE ANDY COATES of Stanton High grieves over his loss in the 140-pound weight class of the Nebraska State High School Wrestling Tournament on Thursday afternoon. Senators examine future of petitions ■ Legislators propose public hearings and administrative review before issues are placed on ballots. By Jessica Fargen Senior staff writer Under legislation heard by senators Thursday, measures such as last year’s failed Initiative 413 would have a harder time becoming part of the state constitution. Provisions of the bills heard by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee would require public hearings before petitions are circulated, let the Legislature consider petitions before they are placed on the ballot and allow the Secretary of State to reject petitions that conflict with the state or U.S. constitutions. A constitutional amendment, LR18, was advanced 5-2. It was the only legislation the committee acted on Thursday. The resolution, introduced by Speaker Doug Kristensen of Minden, would require two successive votes of the people to amend the constitution. “The main purpose is that you are going to make the public and the Legislature stop and think longer and harder, ‘Is this the change we want to make?’” The bill would also move up the date for filing a petition with the Secretary of the State from four months before the general election to eight months before the election. This would allow the Legislature time to consider petitions. Kristensen said LR18 could curb the depressing trend set by Nebraska’s petition process in the 1990s. Grass-roots groups, often out-spent by powerful lobbyists, would have a better chance to bring concerns to the table. “The opportunity to change the constitu tion is a lot easier if you have a lot of money,” Please see BILLS on 6 3HHKJ Candidates voice focus for campus By Kim Sweet Staff writer In the first executive debate of the ASUN election season, Focus and Voice candidates assembled to exchange views on campus buzzwords, including binge drinking and the university’s Master Plan. The debate, sponsored by the Mortar Board, the Union Board and the UNL chapter of College Republicans, allowed members of Voice and Focus to pose questions on current issues to the opposing party. Discussing proposed changes to the university under the Master Plan, the Focus party questioned Voice candidates on where they would get money to fund enhancements to the Culture Center - something Voice endorses on its platform. Because the Culture Center falls under the Nebraska Unions’ budget, Focus party second vice presidential candidate Jon England said improving the building would add more dollars to already increasing student fees. Andy Schuerman, Voice presidential candidate, said increased awareness of what the building offered students would spark more use. The increased use Please see DEBATE on 6 CFA restores some funds after debate By Shane Anthony Staff writer After 3 V2 hours of intense debate Thursday, the Committee for Fees Allocation restored two cuts and denied one appeal for an increase - twice. The committee voted to restore $10,687 to the Student Involvement portion of the Nebraska Union’s fund and $3,009 to the University Program Council. Campus Recreation unsuccessfully appealed a decision made Tuesday to cut an increase in the facility fee from $1 to 50 cents. Stan Campbell, campus recreation director, said the decrease delays funds for future projects - some part of the master plan. The fund that would get a lower increase keeps money for future projects and replacement and mainte nance costs, he said. For five years, Campus Rec got the $l-a-year increase. Last year, it didn’t, delaying $46,000. This year’s lowered increase will delay $23,000 more. CFA member Tom Heacock moved to restore the 50 Please CFA on 6 Read the Daily Nebraskan on the World Wide Web at dailyneb.com