19th Annual Northeast Nebraska Legislative Forum held at Wayne State College

Posted: 08 March, 2010

State budget cuts, expressways, and education were discussed during the 19th Annual Northeast Nebraska Legislative Forum held at Wayne State College.  KTCH/Y104’s Mark Ahmann fielded questions for Senators Robert Giese and Arnie Stuthman.  Senator Stuthman’s sixteen year tenure will end this year due to term limits.  His biggest achievements in the unicameral have been passing the smoking ban in public places and the safe haven bill Stutman explains the original intent of the law: Suthman audio 1 Stuthman is also proud of providing funding for state wide competition of vocational education organizations such as SkillsUSA, FFA, 4H, and Decca.  Stuthman audio 2 He feels that this will help young people build career opportunities. The final bill that Stutman has introduced is the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act which will standardize the process of organ donation if you have indicated it on your license. Stuthman audio 3   Senator Geise talked about the challenges of creating an expressway in Northeast Nebraska Geise audio 1 and Geise discussed the current budgets cuts that the education committee is working with. Geise audio 2
Since most members of the audience were high school students the  current ‘use and lose’  bill that would mandate that judges take away a minors license for 30 to 60 days  as part of their sentence for a MIP charge.  Neither senator supported the initial bill because it did not allow the judge to have discretion in sentencing. Stuthman explained his oppositionStuthman audio 4 The amended version of the bill will allow judges to decide if the minor keeps their license.  
Geise and Stuthaman also talked about how bills are introduced and become laws, and why they decided to become a part of the unicameral for a period of time. Both Geise and Suthman are leaving the unicameral for different reasons but aren’t done with public service. Geise will be a candidate for Dakota County Treasurer and Stuthman is in the running for his former position on the Platte County Board of Supervisors.  

Wayne State College welcomed audience members for the Northeast Nebraska Legislative Forum to pose questions to Senators Robert Giese (left), District 17, and Arnie Stuthman (second from left), District 22, during the 19th Annual Northeast Nebraska Legislative Forum, March 5, in Gardner Auditorium on the WSC campus. At right are moderator Mark Ahlman and Dr. Richard Collings, Wayne State College president.