Candidate calls for more law, less politics

Friday, June 7, 2002
Mike Meister

Mike Meister, candidate for Nebraska attorney general, said he is running to "bring the practice of law back into the attorney general's office and get the practice of politics out."

On Thursday, Meister made McCook one of his stops on his two week, 73- county campaign through Nebraska. He is bringing his message to the people.

Meister has several issues on his agenda including: getting funding for the Law Enforcement section of the attorney general's office; helping the budget deficit and increasing the state's economy by reducing the number of out-of-state attorney hired to do the attorney general's job; and developing an agricultural section within the office to handle legal issue concerning all areas of agriculture.

Meister admits that on the page it may appear as if what he is proposing will cost the taxpayers more money. But Meister believes he can "save millions" by adding approximately 17 more lawyers to the office staff so that he does not have to hire out-of-state attorney, a policy, he claims, overused by the current attorney general. He provided the analogy of digging a ditch with a spoon versus a backhoe. It cost more for the backhoe up front but, if you're paying by the hour, the backhoe will save money in the long run.

Meister also noted the economic importance of hiring Nebraska attorneys and cited the qualification of the state to produce quality lawyers, "Nebraska has two law schools and the University of Nebraska has two professors of constitutional law."

Meister also believes that the attorney general can do more for rural communities. He will work to continue funding for the Law Enforcement section of the attorney general's office. Previously funded through the Nebraska Crime Grant, this section of four attorneys is designed to be at the "beck and call of the rural county attorney," said Meister. The county attorney can use this office as a resource on issues such as the production of methamphetamines, which according to Meister is a "big problem state-wide".

Developing an agricultural section will also help rural counties and is necessary "for the fourth largest agricultural state where one out of every four jobs is dependent on agriculture," said Meister. Currently, one assistant attorney general handles all of the cases on agriculture. Meister believes in order to help rural communities, the office must devote four to seven lawyer to deal exclusively with agricultural issues.

The role of the attorney general is to give unbiased legal advice to the Governor and the Legislature so state laws meet the guidelines in the state and federal constitutions. Meister sees himself as a lawyer, not a politician. When asked about the competition, Meister cites his experience as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army, a prosecuting attorney, and a private attorney.

According the Meister, "If you look at the qualifications there is really no competition."

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