Christensen plans to stay on the job

Thursday, May 8, 2008
Amy Swanson

State Sen. Mark Christensen dispelled rumors of his possible resignation this morning during the Legislative Wrap-Up Breakfast at Country Kitchen Restaurant. "I really enjoy doing this work, and I hope to return to office," he told the Gazette.

"We had a good session overall," he told the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce and the South Platte United Chamber of Commerce. "Of the four bills that passed, none of them kept my name on them, even though I worked very closely with each one of them."

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After this legislative session, privately funded research will still be able to do embryonic stem cell research. However, state funded research has been banned. "Since Nebraska has no privately funded research, it's the same as if the bill were to say that all embryonic research was banned," he said.

On LB1157, which deals with statewide testing, the legislature hopes to add an amendment to the state constitution requiring testing of all school children. at schools. "Testing really helps our teachers better understand where their students are academically," Christensen said, "and so many schools are already doing testing. There was very little discussion on the floor about it."

Christensen said he is also promoting cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of Natural Resources. "The issue with Kansas will most likely go to court," he said. "A lot of times, people have asked why we can't just use the water in the lakes. The reason is because that water is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation, and you simply can't take it without compensation," Christensen said.

Other bills that were discussed were state aid for handicapped children and the occupation tax.

Next year, Christensen plans on bringing back the issues of roadside trapping, and LB826, allowing military personnel to carry concealed weapons.

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So Christensen sez water is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and must be compensated if taken or used. Hhmmm, does that mean all users of lake released water down the Republican River is paid for by Nebraska and Kansas irrigators?? The Bureau of Reclamation is a government agency therefore the government and not the states should regulate and enforce water usage and resolve the issues between Kansas and Nebraska.

-- Posted by barneyfife on Sun, May 11, 2008, at 12:15 AM

It is not too early to be thinking about somebody to run against Christensen in the next election cycle if he is not going to resign now. Names mentioned have been former State Senator Tom Baker, McCook Mayor Dennis Berry and Jeff Tidyman who lost in the primary two years ago.

-- Posted by dennis on Fri, May 9, 2008, at 9:18 AM

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