With Nebraska looking at a $500 million surplus, there are many groups coming forward with ideas on how to spend that money.
That includes political candidates such as the two men running to replace State Sen. Ray Janssen in District 15.
Both Charlie Janssen and Richard Register spoke Friday to staff members of Erickson and Brooks, a Fremont accounting firm, in the Education Center of First State Bank and Trust Co.
While the candidates agreed on some issues, there were some differences, also.
Both would like to see roads projects in the area completed, and would favor using some surplus money for it. That would be different than how Nebraska typically funds roads projects, which is through gas taxes.
"Drive north, drive west, drive south, they haven’t finished our bloody roads," Register said. "Every day I’m going to be there, I’m going to say ‘Why aren’t those roads to Fremont done?’ We’re going to get those roads done. ... The economic growth of the whole corridor is key on having a transportation infrastructure that works and will attract businesses."
Register said he would favor using the surplus but would not support giving the state the authority to sell bonds for roads projects.
"I would not trust those 49 people and the mansion across the street with borrowing ability. Ever," he said.
Janssen said giving the state authority to sell bonds is worth looking at, and he thinks it is time the state look at alternative ways to fund road projects.
"When it comes to road funding, I think it is something that needs to be addressed," he said. "I think it’s a little bit antiquated the way we have been funding our roads with our fuel tax."
Both candidates agree something needs to be done to address pay for beginning teachers in the state. But they have different solutions.
Janssen would like to create a system to compensate or pay for newer teachers to earn a master’s degree, which typically would move them up the pay scale in their school districts.
"That gives local control to teachers’ pay," he said.
Register would like to see a change in the way salaries are compared. Currently, he said, most districts are compared with others in the state. But with about 80 percent of the teachers living within 45 minutes of one of the state’s borders, it could prove beneficial to allow comparisons that include border areas.
Janssen and Register agree that no changes should be made to the makeup of the Unicameral. Right now it is officially nonpartisan, and they would support keeping it that way.
"We have an incredibly unique system in Nebraska," Register said. "When it comes to a party system, you lose debate and conversations going on between people and you end up having agendas.
"The Unicameral has its faults, but keeping party politics out of it is not one of them," he added.
Janssen said being nonpartisan allows lawmakers to work together, but party politics do come into play some.
"I like the current makeup of the Legislature," he said. "We’re fooling ourselves if we’re saying we’re totally nonpartisan. I bet I’m endorsed by the Republican Party and I bet my opponent is endorsed by the Democratic Party. That’s going to happen."
Another area they agree on is looking for waste in state government. Without providing specifics, both said there were areas that certainly could see reductions.
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