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| LEA-PAC Makes Recommendations in the 2008 Legislative Races An article from the LEAdvocate ... A Publication by the Lincoln Education Association Editor: Dan Studer, UniServ Director dan.studer@nsea.org |
Teachers’ Salaries and Working Conditions Depend on Part to the Election of
Pro-Public Education State Senators
Ranging from what you teach to how you teach and assess it as well as the financial dollars in state aid
that flow to school districts that help pay teacher salaries, a teacher’s daily personal as well as
professional life is greatly impacted by the legislative members of the state Unicameral. Recognizing
this fact, fifteen LEA and LEA-PAC members spent many long hours reading candidate questionnaires,
formulating interview questions, interviewing numerous legislative candidates, deliberating, and
making recommendations on whom among the many candidates running for the state legislature this
year would best serve the needs of the educational community.
LEA-PAC (the political arm of the LEA) bases their recommendations solely on educational issues. The
questionnaire that candidates fill out is developed by NSEA and adopted by the NSEA Board of
Directors. The LEA-PAC Interview Teams are made up of members who are voluntary members of LEA-
PAC who either live or work in the candidates’ district. In order to be considered for a recommendation,
candidates must both complete the written questionnaire and interview before a LEA-PAC Interview
Team.
Interviews were conducted March 18 and 19. [Although Unicameral seats are considered non-partisan,
the candidates’ party affiliation has been noted in the recommended races detailed below.]
Legislative District 21
LD 21 is currently held by Sen. Carol Hudkins who can no longer run for office due to term limits. LEA-
PAC has made a duo recommendation for this race: Ken Haar (D) and Tami Soper (D). The LEA-PAC
Interview Team was impressed by Ken’s former city council experience and the leadership roles he has
long played. A former teacher, the Team concluded that Ken is very supportive of public education, is
very intelligent, innovative, and multi-skilled. Ken reported he has already “knocked on 1300 doors”
during his campaign to speak to residents of LD 21 and that he has “a passion for politics.” He believes
that the Unicameral needs to be more creative with property taxes and that efforts must be made to
keep highly educated graduates in Nebraska; “Educate them, so they stay here!” Ken declared to the
Team.
at or near the bottom in state funding of education. We insist that we be top notch in terms of football
but are willing to settle… near the bottom in so many areas in the social arena—it is embarrassing and
unnecessary!”~~ Haar. “We cannot continue to expect more from our schools while we provide fewer
resources… we need to permanently increase the state aid we provide to schools.”~~ Soper);
☼ current retirement benefits for teachers;
☼ fair dismissal hearings, collective bargaining, allowing teachers throughout the state to be a part of a
united health care pool (the Educators Health Alliance), and the Commission of Industrial Relations
(CIR) which allows teachers a counter to the fact that as public employees they cannot go on strike in
Nebraska but still have a recourse for unfair salary negotiations.
Both Haar and Soper (right) oppose:
Legislative District 25
LD 25 is currently held by Sen. Ron Raikes who can no longer run for office due to term limits. LEA-PAC
has made a duo recommendation for this race: Kathy Campbell (R) and Travis Wagner (D). The LEA-
PAC Interview team was impressed by Kathy’s experience and community connections and Travis’
knowledge and desire to see change in Nebraska’s tax structure. Both candidates came across as
☼ increasing state aid to education, current retirement benefits for teachers (“…a good plan” ~~
Campbell; “one of the financial building blocks for an enjoyable retirement”~~ Wagner);
☼ fair dismissal hearings, collective bargaining, allowing teachers throughout the state to be a part of a
united health care pool (the Educators Health Alliance), and the Commission of Industrial Relations
(CIR) which allows teachers a counter to the fact that as public employees they cannot go on strike in
Nebraska but still have a recourse for unfair salary negotiations.
Both Campbell and Wagner (right) oppose:
Legislative District 27
LD 25 is currently held by Sen. DiAnna Schimek who can no longer run for office due to term limits. LEA-
PAC has recommended Dan Marvin (D) for this race. The LEA-PAC Interview Team was impressed by
Dan’s in-depth study of the issues and his ability to listen and articulate his ideas as well. He is seen
as a coalition builder looking for creative answers and has a good understanding of the demands of
elected officials having served on the Lincoln Lancaster County Planning Commission as well as
currently serving on the City Council. The Team was struck by Dan’s skill of looking at issues from
multiple views and his support of the public schools and teachers. Dan told his Team that he finds
Nebraska’s ranking of 44th in the nation for teacher salaries as “not acceptable… If the funding system
works, then why do we rank 44th in the nation for teacher pay?” When it comes to state aid he is “not
sure Lincoln is getting a good deal.”
Dan Marvin’s web site: http://marvinforlegislature.com/
[Note: Candidate Chuck Stepanek was also interviewed as part of the process. Candidate Colby Coash
did not respond to the questionnaire and did not have an interview with the Team.]
Legislative District 29
Among his many pro-public education positions, Fulton supports:
☼ increasing state aid to education (“Part of my tenure has been and will continue to be the intelligent
growth of our state’s economy. As such, I will work on policy to grow state aid to schools with income
and sales taxation… I owe a great deal of my present successes to the education I received in Auburn
Public Schools”), current retirement benefits for teachers, fair dismissal hearings, collective bargaining,
and allowing teachers throughout the state to be a part of a united health care pool (the Educators
Health Alliance).
Fulton opposes vouchers for parents who send their children to private schools and doesn’t believe a
diploma to a home school graduate would “contain the same meaning and value” as for a student “who
attended the public school.”
Senator’s Fulton’s website: http://tonyfulton.com/
Fulton Campaign Request: Yard Sign Delivery April 12/13---We will plan on having Tony's house as the
headquarters on Saturday April 12th beginning at 9am. Tony lives at 5935 S 53rd St in Lincoln. WE
ARE IN NEED OF ABOUT 31 VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS! If you would be willing to help, please contact
Justin Fulton at jfulton19@hotmail.com. Food will be provided for volunteers. We will need volunteers to
deliver yard signs to houses who have requested them.
[Note: Candidate Susan Scott was also interviewed as part of the process.]
Your LEA-PAC Interview Team Members
The interview committee members worked long into the evening following a full day of teaching (one
Team, those who interviewed for District 21, were at the LEA office two nights in a row). The teams were
made up of the following dedicated and hard-working LEA and LEA-PAC members all of whom we owe
a round of applause:
Dan Studer, LEA UniServ Director, is the staff liaison to LEA-PAC.
Now It Is Your Turn!!!!!!!!!
Educators don’t often stop to think exactly how huge and constant the influence of the members of the
Unicameral is upon the classroom. Even when they do, members often don’t know how they can make
a difference and impact the situation. Here are some suggestions:
1. Get to know the candidates running in your legislative District. Visit their websites. If they knock
on your door, let them know you are an educator in the public schools and what some of your concerns
are and ask them how they intend to make a difference.
2. Tell your family and friends about the importance of electing pro-public education senators and
about the LEA-PAC recommended candidates.
3. Get involved in a recommended candidate’s campaign: distribute flyers, make a donation, take a
yard sign, or otherwise answer calls for assistance from LEA-PAC as needs of the candidates are
become known and are sent out to the membership. Above all:
4. Vote in the primary on Tuesday, May 13, 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pro-Public Education State Senators
Ranging from what you teach to how you teach and assess it as well as the financial dollars in state aid
that flow to school districts that help pay teacher salaries, a teacher’s daily personal as well as
professional life is greatly impacted by the legislative members of the state Unicameral. Recognizing
this fact, fifteen LEA and LEA-PAC members spent many long hours reading candidate questionnaires,
formulating interview questions, interviewing numerous legislative candidates, deliberating, and
making recommendations on whom among the many candidates running for the state legislature this
year would best serve the needs of the educational community.
LEA-PAC (the political arm of the LEA) bases their recommendations solely on educational issues. The
questionnaire that candidates fill out is developed by NSEA and adopted by the NSEA Board of
Directors. The LEA-PAC Interview Teams are made up of members who are voluntary members of LEA-
PAC who either live or work in the candidates’ district. In order to be considered for a recommendation,
candidates must both complete the written questionnaire and interview before a LEA-PAC Interview
Team.
Interviews were conducted March 18 and 19. [Although Unicameral seats are considered non-partisan,
the candidates’ party affiliation has been noted in the recommended races detailed below.]
Legislative District 21
LD 21 is currently held by Sen. Carol Hudkins who can no longer run for office due to term limits. LEA-
PAC has made a duo recommendation for this race: Ken Haar (D) and Tami Soper (D). The LEA-PAC
Interview Team was impressed by Ken’s former city council experience and the leadership roles he has
long played. A former teacher, the Team concluded that Ken is very supportive of public education, is
very intelligent, innovative, and multi-skilled. Ken reported he has already “knocked on 1300 doors”
during his campaign to speak to residents of LD 21 and that he has “a passion for politics.” He believes
that the Unicameral needs to be more creative with property taxes and that efforts must be made to
keep highly educated graduates in Nebraska; “Educate them, so they stay here!” Ken declared to the
Team.
at or near the bottom in state funding of education. We insist that we be top notch in terms of football
but are willing to settle… near the bottom in so many areas in the social arena—it is embarrassing and
unnecessary!”~~ Haar. “We cannot continue to expect more from our schools while we provide fewer
resources… we need to permanently increase the state aid we provide to schools.”~~ Soper);
☼ current retirement benefits for teachers;
☼ fair dismissal hearings, collective bargaining, allowing teachers throughout the state to be a part of a
united health care pool (the Educators Health Alliance), and the Commission of Industrial Relations
(CIR) which allows teachers a counter to the fact that as public employees they cannot go on strike in
Nebraska but still have a recourse for unfair salary negotiations.
Both Haar and Soper (right) oppose:
Legislative District 25
LD 25 is currently held by Sen. Ron Raikes who can no longer run for office due to term limits. LEA-PAC
has made a duo recommendation for this race: Kathy Campbell (R) and Travis Wagner (D). The LEA-
PAC Interview team was impressed by Kathy’s experience and community connections and Travis’
knowledge and desire to see change in Nebraska’s tax structure. Both candidates came across as
☼ increasing state aid to education, current retirement benefits for teachers (“…a good plan” ~~
Campbell; “one of the financial building blocks for an enjoyable retirement”~~ Wagner);
☼ fair dismissal hearings, collective bargaining, allowing teachers throughout the state to be a part of a
united health care pool (the Educators Health Alliance), and the Commission of Industrial Relations
(CIR) which allows teachers a counter to the fact that as public employees they cannot go on strike in
Nebraska but still have a recourse for unfair salary negotiations.
Both Campbell and Wagner (right) oppose:
Legislative District 27
LD 25 is currently held by Sen. DiAnna Schimek who can no longer run for office due to term limits. LEA-
PAC has recommended Dan Marvin (D) for this race. The LEA-PAC Interview Team was impressed by
Dan’s in-depth study of the issues and his ability to listen and articulate his ideas as well. He is seen
as a coalition builder looking for creative answers and has a good understanding of the demands of
elected officials having served on the Lincoln Lancaster County Planning Commission as well as
currently serving on the City Council. The Team was struck by Dan’s skill of looking at issues from
multiple views and his support of the public schools and teachers. Dan told his Team that he finds
Nebraska’s ranking of 44th in the nation for teacher salaries as “not acceptable… If the funding system
works, then why do we rank 44th in the nation for teacher pay?” When it comes to state aid he is “not
sure Lincoln is getting a good deal.”
Dan Marvin’s web site: http://marvinforlegislature.com/
[Note: Candidate Chuck Stepanek was also interviewed as part of the process. Candidate Colby Coash
did not respond to the questionnaire and did not have an interview with the Team.]
Legislative District 29
Among his many pro-public education positions, Fulton supports:
☼ increasing state aid to education (“Part of my tenure has been and will continue to be the intelligent
growth of our state’s economy. As such, I will work on policy to grow state aid to schools with income
and sales taxation… I owe a great deal of my present successes to the education I received in Auburn
Public Schools”), current retirement benefits for teachers, fair dismissal hearings, collective bargaining,
and allowing teachers throughout the state to be a part of a united health care pool (the Educators
Health Alliance).
Fulton opposes vouchers for parents who send their children to private schools and doesn’t believe a
diploma to a home school graduate would “contain the same meaning and value” as for a student “who
attended the public school.”
Senator’s Fulton’s website: http://tonyfulton.com/
Fulton Campaign Request: Yard Sign Delivery April 12/13---We will plan on having Tony's house as the
headquarters on Saturday April 12th beginning at 9am. Tony lives at 5935 S 53rd St in Lincoln. WE
ARE IN NEED OF ABOUT 31 VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS! If you would be willing to help, please contact
Justin Fulton at jfulton19@hotmail.com. Food will be provided for volunteers. We will need volunteers to
deliver yard signs to houses who have requested them.
[Note: Candidate Susan Scott was also interviewed as part of the process.]
Your LEA-PAC Interview Team Members
The interview committee members worked long into the evening following a full day of teaching (one
Team, those who interviewed for District 21, were at the LEA office two nights in a row). The teams were
made up of the following dedicated and hard-working LEA and LEA-PAC members all of whom we owe
a round of applause:
Dan Studer, LEA UniServ Director, is the staff liaison to LEA-PAC.
Now It Is Your Turn!!!!!!!!!
Educators don’t often stop to think exactly how huge and constant the influence of the members of the
Unicameral is upon the classroom. Even when they do, members often don’t know how they can make
a difference and impact the situation. Here are some suggestions:
1. Get to know the candidates running in your legislative District. Visit their websites. If they knock
on your door, let them know you are an educator in the public schools and what some of your concerns
are and ask them how they intend to make a difference.
2. Tell your family and friends about the importance of electing pro-public education senators and
about the LEA-PAC recommended candidates.
3. Get involved in a recommended candidate’s campaign: distribute flyers, make a donation, take a
yard sign, or otherwise answer calls for assistance from LEA-PAC as needs of the candidates are
become known and are sent out to the membership. Above all:
4. Vote in the primary on Tuesday, May 13, 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!
LD 29 is currently held by Sen. Tony Fulton who was appointed to the
position by Governor Heineman to succeed Senator Mike Foley.
Because Tony is not considered an incumbent, an early
endorsement was ruled out and it was requested that the senator go
through the process along with any other candidates from the District.
LEA-PAC has recommended Tony Fulton for this race. Following the
interview with Tony, the LEA-PAC team concluded that he is a superb
listener, bright, and a quick study who understands how policies fit
together and how to work with other people in the legislature. The
Team believes the senator is predictable and that when he supports
the Association on an issue, that support is and will be legitimate
and he will serve as an advocate. Senator Fulton (right) is, the Team
agreed, a person with whom it is possible to disagree and still
maintain a respectful relationship.
position by Governor Heineman to succeed Senator Mike Foley.
Because Tony is not considered an incumbent, an early
endorsement was ruled out and it was requested that the senator go
through the process along with any other candidates from the District.
LEA-PAC has recommended Tony Fulton for this race. Following the
interview with Tony, the LEA-PAC team concluded that he is a superb
listener, bright, and a quick study who understands how policies fit
together and how to work with other people in the legislature. The
Team believes the senator is predictable and that when he supports
the Association on an issue, that support is and will be legitimate
and he will serve as an advocate. Senator Fulton (right) is, the Team
agreed, a person with whom it is possible to disagree and still
maintain a respectful relationship.
Among his many pro-public education positions, Marvin (left) supports:
☼ increasing state aid to education, fair dismissal hearings (“I have seen
this process play out and I believe it is fair”), collective bargaining,
allowing teachers throughout the state to be a part of a united health care
pool (the Educators Health Alliance), and the Commission of Industrial
Relations (CIR) which allows teachers a counter to the fact that as public
employees they cannot go on strike in Nebraska but still have a recourse
for unfair salary negotiations (“I have first hand experience with the use of
the CIR. I understand the detractors of the CIR but I also understand the
benefits”), and current retirement benefits for teachers.
Marvin opposes tax credit or vouchers for parents who send their children
to private schools and public school diplomas for home schooled
children.
☼ increasing state aid to education, fair dismissal hearings (“I have seen
this process play out and I believe it is fair”), collective bargaining,
allowing teachers throughout the state to be a part of a united health care
pool (the Educators Health Alliance), and the Commission of Industrial
Relations (CIR) which allows teachers a counter to the fact that as public
employees they cannot go on strike in Nebraska but still have a recourse
for unfair salary negotiations (“I have first hand experience with the use of
the CIR. I understand the detractors of the CIR but I also understand the
benefits”), and current retirement benefits for teachers.
Marvin opposes tax credit or vouchers for parents who send their children
to private schools and public school diplomas for home schooled
children.
☼ tax credit or vouchers for parents who send their children to private
schools and public school diplomas for home schooled children.
Kathy Campbell’s website: http://www.kathycampbell.org/
Travis Wagner’s website: http://www.wagnerforlegislature.com/
[Note: Candidate Brent Smoyer was also interviewed as part of the
process.]
schools and public school diplomas for home schooled children.
Kathy Campbell’s website: http://www.kathycampbell.org/
Travis Wagner’s website: http://www.wagnerforlegislature.com/
[Note: Candidate Brent Smoyer was also interviewed as part of the
process.]
strong pro-public education candidates who are conscientious and
electable. Kathy told her Team that the legislature needs to “look beyond
today” and believes the key to student assessment is whether or not it
“enhances a student’s learning.”
Travis, who is retired after forty years of active military service both in
Vietnam and the National Guard said his “desire is to continue to serve”
Nebraskans. He believes that “public funds are public funds” and that they
must be used to “educate all of the citizens of Nebraska, not just the
chosen few.”
Among their many pro-public education positions, both Campbell (left)
and Wagner support:
electable. Kathy told her Team that the legislature needs to “look beyond
today” and believes the key to student assessment is whether or not it
“enhances a student’s learning.”
Travis, who is retired after forty years of active military service both in
Vietnam and the National Guard said his “desire is to continue to serve”
Nebraskans. He believes that “public funds are public funds” and that they
must be used to “educate all of the citizens of Nebraska, not just the
chosen few.”
Among their many pro-public education positions, both Campbell (left)
and Wagner support:
The LEA-PAC Team was impressed by Tami Soper’s knowledge of
the Unicameral, being a former legislative aide. She has lived her
entire life in her district, has a mother who is a retired teacher, and the
Team found her to be a quick thinker as well as a great communicator.
Tami told her team, “The best investment you can make is in the
educational system—it affects the whole community!” and with her
legislative experience, she knows how to move a bill through the
process.
Among their many pro-public education positions, both Haar (left) and
Soper support:
☼ increasing state aid to education (“I think it is a shame that we are
the Unicameral, being a former legislative aide. She has lived her
entire life in her district, has a mother who is a retired teacher, and the
Team found her to be a quick thinker as well as a great communicator.
Tami told her team, “The best investment you can make is in the
educational system—it affects the whole community!” and with her
legislative experience, she knows how to move a bill through the
process.
Among their many pro-public education positions, both Haar (left) and
Soper support:
☼ increasing state aid to education (“I think it is a shame that we are
☼ tax credit or vouchers for parents who send their children to private
schools.
Ken Haar’s website: http://www.haarforlegislature.com/
Tami Soper’s website: http://www.tamisoper.com/
[Note: Candidates Vern Barrett and Justin Larsen were also interviewed
as part of the process. Candidates James Jeffers and Curtis Schell did
not respond to the questionnaire and did not have an interview with the
Team.]
schools.
Ken Haar’s website: http://www.haarforlegislature.com/
Tami Soper’s website: http://www.tamisoper.com/
[Note: Candidates Vern Barrett and Justin Larsen were also interviewed
as part of the process. Candidates James Jeffers and Curtis Schell did
not respond to the questionnaire and did not have an interview with the
Team.]
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