Candidates, State Chamber air views at breakfast
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Nebraska lawmakers will have three priorities this year, according to the president of the state Chamber of Commerce: The budget, the budget and the budget, in that order.
Speaking at the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum at the Chief Restaurant this morning, the official, Barry Kennedy, said the chamber's involvement in issues at the federal level has increased recently as a result of demand from its members.
"It has almost become all consuming," said Kennedy.
State representative candidates, Tom Baker and Mark Christensen, spoke briefly to the group as well. Baker cited his experience and leadership skills as merits for his campaign and Christensen highlighted his accessibility and dedication to the interests of the district.
Mayor Dennis Berry, also up for re-election to the McCook City Council on the November ballot, questioned the candidates regarding what could be done about equalization of funding to Nebraska School Districts.
Berry blamed the current funding formula for $750,000 in lost funds to the McCook schools.
Christensen cited a lot of work that needed to be done to return fairness based on needs and resources to the formula, while Baker said a compromise should have been fought for much harder for when "sparsity" requirements were recently removed from the formula.