Mental health plans questioned

The two discussed their opinions during Baker's first legislative meeting at the McCook Chamber of Commerce office this morning.

The discussion stems from a proposal by Gov. Mike Johanns to restructure the state's mental health system by drastically reducing the number of patients at the Norfolk and Hastings facilities, opening a facility in Omaha and developing community centers in rural areas.

"I think you have the cart before the horse," Bieganski told Baker. "Maybe you should get the community centers up and running before you close the regional centers."

Baker said the plan could help the state gain federal funding for mental health.

"You know as well as I do the federal government can move in and move out very quickly. I'm concerned about the $10 million carrot sticks you're seeing," Bieganski said.

Bieganski said that while he sees no problem with moving to a more-community-based plan, the problem lays in the funding.

"Four hundred to 600 dollars a day (reimbursement) sounds great," he said, "until you realize its going to cost $1,000 a day (to care for a patient).

The group also discussed the impact of the drought on irrigators in Southwest Nebraska.

Angus Garey told the senator there will be no irrigation water from Harlan County, Enders and Swanson Reservoirs. "There's going to have to be compensation for those who will never be allowed to irrigate again," he told Sen. Baker.

Baker agreed that something would have to change. He said the drought is not only affecting area farmers, but also the recreational part of the economy provided by area lakes.

Baker also told committee members lawmakers are continuing to work on a bill that would close most Class I school districts in Nebraska. He said the Education Committee is continuing to work on the language of the bill to address a specific time frame. He said as the bill stands now, Class I schools outside a 20-mile radius from major attendance centers would be exempted from the plan.

The Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee meets every Thursday at 8 a.m., at the Chamber office. Anyone interested in joining the discussions should contact Chamber Director Marie Owen at (308) 345-3200.