We must make case for the Work Camp

Asked to make its case for a new prison, the McCook community did so with flying colors, only to see a lesser contender receive the nod because it was closer to the power centers in Lincoln.

Given a second chance with the Work Ethic Camp, Southwest Nebraska came through again, helping create and staff a cutting-edge facility that shows every promise of helping turn young lives around, creating productive, responsible citizens at a cost savings to the taxpayers of the state.

Are we about to have the rug pulled out from under us again?

It appeared so Wednesday, when the Legislature's Appropriations Committee voted 4-0 to restore the $6.4 million in funding needed for the state's upcoming two-year budget. That is four committee members in favor, none opposed, and five abstaining. Unfortunately, five favorable votes would have been needed to restore the funding to the committee's recommendation.

McCook Mayor Jerda Garey is right to be encouraged that five senators did not vote against the funding, but simply declined to vote.

"That tells me that perhaps if there's some other avenue of revenue, perhaps this could be reconsidered," she told the Associated Press.

The state's financial condition is horrible, and even with the Work Ethic Camp cut, the Appropriation Committee's plan is still $366 million short of balancing. More cuts or tax increases, probably a combination of the two, will be needed to find the $761 million needed to balance the books.

We should not, however, simply throw up our hands and say "they did it to us again."

"We're going to lobby hard," WEC Superintendent Raleigh Haas said, and he has the right idea. Haas plans to use the testimony of judges, families and offenders from around the state to prove to the Legislature that the Work Ethic Camp is good for the entire state, not just Southwest Nebraska.

We need to let our voices be heard. We need to make the case for the Work Ethic Camp's role in Nebraska. Telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and mailing addresses for all of Nebraska's senators are available on the Unicameral's Web site:

http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/index.htm

Address correspondence to the Senator and his or her district number, State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509-4604.