Cost of aff. action campaign passes $1M
The cost of the battle over affirmative action in Nebraska has officially passed the $1 million mark.
The latest campaign finance reports from the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission show the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative, which is sponsoring the proposed ban on race- and gender-based affirmative action, has raised $644,000 and spent $634,000.
Meanwhile, Nebraskans United, the group opposing the ban, has raised $392,000 — including $1,000 from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman — and spent $380,000.
That brings the price tag of the affirmative-action campaign to more than $1 million — with Election Day still three weeks away.
Cash-heavy campaigns over contentious issues aren’t new.
In 2000, for example, supporters and opponents of a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage spent nearly $1.1 million getting the issue on the ballot and campaigning over it. Voters overwhelmingly approved the ban.
A 2006 battle over a proposed state spending lid reached seven figures as well. The lid failed.
“Almost anything that deals with taxes or ideology tends to draw in a lot of money,” said Frank Daley, executive director of the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.
The Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative would amend the state’s Constitution to prohibit racial and gender preferences in public hiring and admissions decisions.
Supporters say the initiative — which mirrors those already approved in California, Washington and Michigan — is necessary to ensure equality for all Nebraskans.
Opponents say it will dismantle programs that level the playing field for traditionally underrepresented groups. Many NU leaders have come out against the ban, saying it would endanger programs and scholarships that help diversify their campuses.
In addition to Perlman, Nebraskans United has received $25,000 from the NU Foundation.
Two Nebraskans United members have filed a lawsuit in Lancaster County District Court alleging petition circulators for the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative committed widespread petition fraud. The fraud, Nebraskans United says, invalidates tens of thousands of signatures collected to get the affirmative-action ban on the ballot.
A judge’s ruling on the lawsuit is expected soon. If the lawsuit succeeds, votes on the measure won’t be tabulated.
An affirmative-action ban is also before Colorado voters this year. A poll released Tuesday indicates the measure would pass with a 63 percent approval rate.
Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.
The latest campaign finance reports from the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission show the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative, which is sponsoring the proposed ban on race- and gender-based affirmative action, has raised $644,000 and spent $634,000.
Meanwhile, Nebraskans United, the group opposing the ban, has raised $392,000 — including $1,000 from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman — and spent $380,000.
That brings the price tag of the affirmative-action campaign to more than $1 million — with Election Day still three weeks away.
Cash-heavy campaigns over contentious issues aren’t new.
In 2000, for example, supporters and opponents of a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage spent nearly $1.1 million getting the issue on the ballot and campaigning over it. Voters overwhelmingly approved the ban.
A 2006 battle over a proposed state spending lid reached seven figures as well. The lid failed.
“Almost anything that deals with taxes or ideology tends to draw in a lot of money,” said Frank Daley, executive director of the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.
The Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative would amend the state’s Constitution to prohibit racial and gender preferences in public hiring and admissions decisions.
Supporters say the initiative — which mirrors those already approved in California, Washington and Michigan — is necessary to ensure equality for all Nebraskans.
Opponents say it will dismantle programs that level the playing field for traditionally underrepresented groups. Many NU leaders have come out against the ban, saying it would endanger programs and scholarships that help diversify their campuses.
In addition to Perlman, Nebraskans United has received $25,000 from the NU Foundation.
Two Nebraskans United members have filed a lawsuit in Lancaster County District Court alleging petition circulators for the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative committed widespread petition fraud. The fraud, Nebraskans United says, invalidates tens of thousands of signatures collected to get the affirmative-action ban on the ballot.
A judge’s ruling on the lawsuit is expected soon. If the lawsuit succeeds, votes on the measure won’t be tabulated.
An affirmative-action ban is also before Colorado voters this year. A poll released Tuesday indicates the measure would pass with a 63 percent approval rate.
Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.
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