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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 22, 1999)
Legislature Bill will share cost * ••• v,>■.■ ' ; .j ' 7 : • \J-j ; V? , . • ‘ / V of Omaha center Tax revenue will be used if passed By Shane Anthony Staffwriter The Legislature’s Revenue Committee advanced a bill Wednesday that would help pay for an Omah£ Convention Center, as well as potentia projects in other communities. LB382, Omaha Sen. Dan Lynch’s priority bill, advanced on a 6-2 vote. A least one opponent voiced concerr about how the bill would work. Bu Lynch said the whole state needs the legislation. “This is a vital and important thinj for the state of Nebraska to do,” he said The bill would return 70 percent o tax revenues generated by the center tc pay for its costs. The remaining 30 per cent would s^rt a state fund that coulc be used to match funds for other com munities ’ development projects. Nc project, including the Omaha one could receive more than $75 millior under the bill. \ Lincoln Sep>-Ron Raikes joinec Harrison SenrBob Wickersham in vot ing against the bill in committee. He said he opposed the bill because of its tax policy. “My ‘No’ vote there doesn’t mear that I oppose a convention center oi arena for Omaha,” he said. “It con cerned for me what is and isn’t gooc state tax policy.” Raikes said the bill could create £ slippery slope by giving back tax rev CIlUCo. 111C 5UUC M1UU1U Ulliy gilUlCI enough tax revenue to pay for needed services, he said Under the bill, the state would only ! pay if the center generated tax revenues. Omaha officials would have to show the t center brought in out-of-state visitors. The amount of money those visitors spent would be multiplied by a factor to i determine how much tax revenue the : center generated i Raikes said that could mean the : center would receive more “throwback : money” when it needed money less and vice versa. I He also said the bill’s provisions leave questions about whether any com ' munity other than Omaha could meet the criteria to receive support. Omaha Sen. Pam Redfield dis 1 agreed in a statement she released. The bill will go beyond helping revitalize Omaha, she said. “This legislation will add a very valuable financing tool to any Nebraska city considering construction of a con l vention center,” she said. Lynch said the money could go to ' important projects for any community. : He said he appreciated the commit tee’s fairness. “Right now, I’m about as happy a guy as you can be,” he said Raikes said he looks forward to making his point during floor debate. “I’m, in a sense, not disappointed there will be an opportunity to discuss it on the floor,” he said Bill declaring ASUN ‘Safe Space’ passes ■ Senators say offices will be an Ally organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students. By Kim Sweet Staff writer The Association of Students of the University of Nebraska passed a bill Wednesday that declares the ASUN office a “Safe Space” to all students, regardless of sexual orientation or any other “variation from the mainstream.” The bill was written in response to concerns expressed by the Allies Against Heterosexism and Homophobia organization. ASUN President Andy Schuerman submitted the bill after members of the organiza tion came forward declaring the dis comfort gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students often feel on campus.' The bill was sent to the Human Rights Committee after the first round of debate two weeks ago yielded a con sensus that the wording could be improved. A new bill stating that ASUN acknowledges its status as an Ally orga nization was a result of the committee’s work. The bill states that an Ally organi zation is committed to an environment of personal safety, diversity and mutual respect. After looking over the new bill, some senators still spoke out against it, saying it would prompt other minority groups to come forward with the desire to create a “safe space.” “It’s not our place to align ourselves with a public interest group,” said Nate Crocker, Division of General Studies senator. “We’re just endorsing one sin gle group while leaving out a lot of minorities.” Graduate senator Vicki Geiser dis agreed. “An Ally organization is a nation wide viewpoint, it’s not a specific insti tution or group,” Geiser said. “We’re not supporting a particular group, but instead what concepts this group stands behind.” Schuerman told senators that pass ing the bill would ensure all its tenets would be applied to all individuals on campus. The bill states that ASUN recog nizes that all people, regardless of any variation from the mainstream, deserve respect and equal human rights. Charles Cusack, graduate senator, said even though he was not supportive of homosexuality, he was still in favor of the bill. “I do not condone the homosexual lifestyle,” Cusack said. “However, just because a person is gay - that is not their whole person. It is just an aspect of them.” Jason Mashek, arts and sciences senator, said the bill was a step in the right direction in opening ASUN up to all students. “ASUN is never an open body for a lot of students,” Mashek said. “I think that by doing this, it will show we are really trying to go out and tackle tough issues. “It’s a good step we need to be tak ing.” The bill passed 27-3. In other business, the senate voted to appoint James Griesen, vice chancel lor for student affairs, as the ASUN adviser for the 1999-2000 school year. Schuerman appointed Paula Allen as the treasurer for the next year. The senate will meet for the last time in the academic year next week. Student Discounts!! Looking for a Summer Health Club in Omaha? 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