Legislative Newsletter



Senator Tom Carlson



District 38

January 16, 2012

The One Hundred Second Legislative Session, which is a 60 day session, is set to adjourn in mid April. This is the 6th year that I will represent the 38th District and the 4th year that I chair the Agriculture Committee. My office staff, Barb DeRiese, Nanette Hessee, and Rick Leonard, are all ready to assist you in person, by phone, by mail, or by email as the session progresses.

The interim time between sessions passed quickly last year as I attended meetings in the district, came to Lincoln for the November special session to deal with the Keystone XL Pipeline issue, and prepared for this year’s legislation.
The first weekend in January was a special meeting in Washington, D. C. The SARL conference is an annual meeting of legislators who serve on Agriculture and Rural Development Committees in their respective states. I invited Governor Heineman to speak concerning the HSUS, or Humane Society of the United States. The HSUS’s main goal is to stop the killing of animals for food. That objective is disastrous for Nebraska grain and livestock producers.
The HSUS is pursuing federal legislation for mandatory control of egg producers in the United States. In my view, this type of legislation is unnecessary, a threat to states’ rights, would cost the egg producers four billion dollars over the next 20 years, and not provide any meaningful public good.
I believe we should encourage all of our federal congressional representatives to oppose this legislation, again, which would be mandatory for all states. I don’t believe we want or need this type of legislation in Nebraska. Most people give money to the HSUS because they believe the money will be used to rescue abused cats and dogs. In reality, most of the money is used for salaries, administrative expenses, and for raising more money.
Governor Heineman stated during his speech that it is important to stay on offense against the group and that approach is showing results in Nebraska. His speech received many favorable comments and applause and the World Herald sent a reporter to cover his remarks.
A piece of legislation that I have introduced this session is LR358CA. This is a Legislative Resolution Constitutional Amendment, but it is treated as any other legislative bill. LR358CA would increase term limits from two, four-year terms for state senators to three, four-year terms. I am convinced this change would better serve the citizens of Nebraska. If my Resolution passes, it will appear on the November, 2012, General Election ballot. It must be approved by you, the voters of Nebraska. I will keep you informed on the progress of this bill.