Letter back home

Last Thursday two bills involving the death penalty were heard by the Judiciary Committee. The hearing was long, and highly controversial. Legislative Bill 36; would put in place lethal injection as Nebraska's sole method of capital punishment. LB 306 repeals the death penalty and replaces it with a life sentence with out parole.

I am in favor of LB 36; and I will oppose LB 306. I believe Nebraska needs to have the ability to use capital punishment when guilt is certain and no other appropriate form of justice meets the level of seriousness or heinousness of the crime. When someone consciously and maliciously takes the life or lives of human beings made in the image of God, it is a very serious thing, which cannot be reduced to cost or pragmatism. Cost and expediency are issues of procedure, not justice. Are there things that could be done better procedurally? Yes, and DNA testing is one of those helpful tools that will reduce the amount of innocent people put on death row. I will, and we must always be in favor of changes in procedures that create a process that is more fair and accurate, but we can never forget justice.

Moving on, I would like to touch on some additional bills, which I have introduced. These bills will also have hearings over the next couple of weeks.

The Transportation and Telecommunications Committee will hear LB 652, which makes changes in the Enhanced Wireless 911 Act, on Tuesday, February 10, 2009. This bill deals with the distribution of funds currently available for 911 call centers and wireless companies to help with Phase II compliance (the ability to locate a wireless user) for wireless 911 services.

The Agriculture Committee will hear LB 646, the Livestock Growth Act, on February 24, 2009. I am very excited about LB 646, and I am looking forward to the discussions ahead. Livestock is a very important industry in the state of Nebraska, and I believe it could be used greatly for rural economic development. Livestock Friendly counties would work with the Departments of Agriculture and Economic Development voluntarily to evaluate, examine, and identify locations to pre-certify for livestock growth in there counties. When a county pre-certifies a location(s) and approves a permit to an entity, they will be able to apply for a loan to help with needed infrastructure costs for a new facility.

Lastly, LB 647 would require cities of the first and second class, and villages to notify property owners when proceedings for annexing their property are to take place.

If there are any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact my Lincoln office at: Senator Mark R. Christensen, State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509.