Letters, 5/11: Haar will fight for health care

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Rising health care costs, along with increasing costs for gas and food, are compromising the ability of the average family to make ends meet. As employers reduce the health care benefits offered to their employees, and premiums and co-payments increase, more Nebraskans are choosing to live without health insurance, putting their families in a precarious position.

Finding solutions that will provide increased access to affordable health care for all Nebraskans should be a priority for our state senators. That’s why I’m supporting Ken Haar for Legislature.

Ken supports increasing eligibility for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program to provide health care to Nebraska children. He has also pledged his support for programs that enable seniors to stay in their homes while receiving quality services that address their health care needs. Ken has pledged to work with the Nebraska Medical Association to come up with comprehensive solutions that will ensure all Nebraskans have access to affordable health care.

As a former Lincoln city councilman, Ken has demonstrated his ability to identify a problem, do the necessary research, listen to his constituents and come up with a fair solution. I know Ken Haar will fight to provide affordable health care for families and small businesses as the next state senator from District 21.

Michele Tilley, Lincoln

Scott the most qualified

On May 13, I will be voting for Susan Scott for Legislature. Scott has a lifetime of experience working and volunteering for the people of Lincoln.

As the executive director of the YWCA, she advocated for women and children and worked to build strong families. Her vast amount of volunteer work has shown her endless dedication to the people of the community. This is why she is the best choice to represent us in the state Legislature.

She has experience standing up for what’s right — and understands that being a state senator is about serving others. I believe her experience makes her the best qualified candidate to become our next senator in the Legislature in District 29.

Judy Leech, Lincoln

Don’t believe Marvin

I read your voter’s guide last week. I read the information for Dan Marvin, who is a candidate for Legislature in District 27, and his goal to represent “all” citizens if elected. If anyone believes this statement, I have a tropical island in the Platte River for sale.

Look at Marvin’s voting record on the City Council. I can’t remember one vote in which he voted to represent all Lincolnites. I have thoroughly questioned his voting for special interest groups.

Marvin has always supported recommendations by the University of Nebraska, Downtown Lincoln Association and the 2015 Vision group.

He has voted to use all taxpayers’ money to help private business. The three groups mentioned do not represent all of Lincoln!

I have often discussed the use of TIF (tax-increment financing) for various projects. The state has reported it doesn’t believe TIF financing is an economic benefit. Marvin is aware of this and continues to approve TIF.

Marvin is an investment specialist. If I were advised to make an investment with the probability of no economic benefit, would I? No!

Richard Esquivel, Lincoln

Republicans for Kleeb

We are Republicans who are supporting Scott Kleeb for Senate. Even though we won’t be able to vote in the primary, we believe he’s the best candidate for Nebraskans.

As health care providers in central Nebraska and parents of school-age children, health care and education are the two issues we feel most strongly about.

We see firsthand the problems many face who are uninsured or underinsured. We believe Scott has the vision to make affordable health care a reality for all Nebraskans.

Furthermore, he believes strongly in education, whether it be preschool,

K-12 or higher education. Without good health, kids can’t learn. Without good education, Nebraska can’t grow and progress.

Scott has the leadership skills to assure the best future for Nebraskans.

Drs. Jessica Meeske and Todd Pankratz, Hastings

Stop raising property taxes

No matter how you vote on the jail bond next Tuesday, your property taxes will go up — again! Personally, I do not feel a new jail is needed, nor do I want my taxes to help build one. Here are some details of this new jail:

The County Board has already contracted with Clark Enersen architect firm for $4.1 million. That leaves them with $61 million to build the jail. This $61 million does not allow for any staffing/maintenance for either the new building or the renovation of the current jail, nor does it take into account transportation from the new location to downtown for court. Where do you think they will get this money?

I do not feel that alternatives have been considered. It currently costs $65 to $85 a day to have offenders stay overnight in the jail. Some of these offenders are in jail because they cannot afford to pay a fine and instead opt for jail. Others are brought in because they have a warrant out for their arrest on some minor offense (traffic tickets, etc.), and when they have a warrant, they are taken to jail.

Here’s a thought … provide for those with less serious offenses to be on house arrest with an ankle bracelet at a cost of about $15 a day. Surely the county commissioners and others can come up with other alternatives that would lower the cost and help the overcrowding problem and therefore keep the beds open for the more serious offenders rather than building a new jail.

I feel it is time to get new people in the county commissioners’ office who listen to the people and hear that we are tired of our property taxes being raised for everything under the sun and who know how to use the budgeted money wisely.

I plan to vote on Tuesday for candidate Nancy Intermill, who is running for county commissioner. The board needs to know how you feel about raising your property taxes — again!

Karen Adamsheck, Lincoln

Barrett committed to job

I have known Vern Barrett, who is a candidate for Legislature in District 21, for decades as a neighbor and friend. I know him to be one of the most honest, insightful and informed people I know.

I especially appreciate Barrett’s commitment to provide jobs and opportunities for Nebraska’s young people so we don’t export so much of our young talent to other states. He understands that we have to provide opportunity for young families. As a university professor, Barrett sees the importance of promoting quality education for all of Nebraska youth. I agree with him that education is the key to informed, progressive citizenship.

Barrett understands the needs of Nebraska’s aging citizens. He appreciates the contribution of senior Nebraskans and has concrete plans to help them continue their productive personal and fiscal donations to our communities and culture.

Barrett also recognizes the need for health care for these valued Nebraskans, affecting both the seniors themselves and those family members concerned with providing care in their behalf. Barrett seeks to save tax costs and still provide better services, primarily through support networks for older citizens.

Especially in these troubled economic times, Vern Barrett is a strong voice for fiscal restraint and tax relief. He seeks to curb state spending while improving government efficiency. He intends to aggressively promote economic development, which can relieve the tax burden on Nebraskans.

Barrett has concrete ideas for accomplishing more with less money. His personal and professional life testify to his commitment to improving the lives of every Nebraskan.

D. Ross Larson, Wahoo