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Updated: 3:54 PM May 28, 2009
Lawmakers Override Veto of Campaigning Bill
Lincoln The Nebraska senators who voted Thursday to overrule the governor's veto say they want to make sure state officials know what they can and can't do.
Posted: 3:54 PM May 28, 2009Reporter: Associated Press |
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The Nebraska senators who voted today to overrule the governor's veto say they want to make sure state officials know what they can and can't do.
The bill is designed to give public employees and officials some leeway for inadvertent political actions without giving them permission to cross into full-blown campaigning.
Minimal and incidental uses of public resources would not break the law.
Gov. Dave Heineman said Tuesday he believes government resources should not be used for such reasons. He said the bill could erode the integrity of public positions and damage trust with the people elected officials serve.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber, says it should help officials across the state know what is acceptable.
Sen. Greg Adams of York says he remembered a number of occasions when he was serving as York mayor when it was unclear what was allowed under the law. So he supported the measure and the veto override so public officials know what the rules are.
The existing restrictions in state law had led to some fines and some big fights.
