Christensen said he voted in the increase, that would raise fuel prices about a penny per gallon, because he believed in a self-funding system -- where those who use the roads pay for the costs -- and that the increase would help fund roads in western Nebraska.

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"If we don't use the tax increase, it's Western Nebraska which will have decreasing road quality," he maintained at the McCook Chamber of Commerce Legislative Conference call this morning.

A self-funding system would be preferable than using cash reserves this year, he said, because if it's a tough financial year next year, real cuts would have to made. These would most likely come from the budgets of the University of Nebraska and the K-12 school system, he said.

"If there's a shortfall in the budget, the schools are hit," he said.

Heineman has vetoed the measure, saying now is not the time to raise fuel prices, with consumers coping with rising costs in food and other areas.

Another bill proposed by Sen. Deb Fischer of Valentine would change the way fuel taxes are levied and collected and would add another 3.3 cents per gallon.

Christensen said he opposed tax increases in general but stood by his assertion that this increase would benefit his district in the long run. Still, he welcomed opinions from his district concerning the fuel taxes.

"Let me know your position, I haven't had much input on this," he said.

Christensen also briefly discussed LB245, advanced on first round, which would require the fluoridation of human drinking water supply in any city or village with a population of 1,000 people or more. The proposed law includes a opt-out clause by a voter initiative before Jan. 1, 2009.

McCook already has enough naturally occurring fluoride in its water supply to meet standards, said City Manager Kurt Fritsch, but Christensen was unclear of how other area towns in his district would fare, such as Cambridge or Arapahoe.

He said he voted against the bill and explained that "I get nervous about another unfunded mandate."

Other issues he addressed included:

* One of his bills he introduced earlier session, LB 990, has been rolled into another bill, LB 1153. Christensen's bill would allow Special Ed students to participate in graduation ceremonies and receive a certificate of participation, then be able to continue school until they turn 21. About 95-99 percent of schools already voluntarily do this, he said.

* The State Fair will be moving to Grand Island, thanks to $21 million coming from University of Nebraska, $5 million from the state cash reserve, $7 million from the State Fair fund and about $8 million from Grand Island.

* LB 1157, that establishes a state-wide testing system to assess student learning, to replace the current method designed by districts, is now on final reading and is predicted to pass, he said. What happens once it leaves the Legislature is anybody's guess, Christensen added, regarding what kind of testing will be adopted.

A local testing system, developed by Paul Ekberg of Southwest Nebraska and being used by 96 districts in the state, is being floated as a possible method, he said, instead of using state dollars to pay for a test developed elsewhere.