End to state treasurer advances

LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers took a step Tuesday toward shrinking the size of state government.
By a vote of 37-6, senators gave first-round approval to a proposed constitutional amendment that would abolish the office of the state treasurer.

If the measure clears the next two rounds of consideration, it would go before voters in the November election.

Legislative Resolution 284CA would eliminate the elected treasurer’s position as of Jan. 8, 2015, if voters approve.

The date was chosen to allow the person elected this fall to serve a full term.

State Sen. Dennis Utter of Hastings, who introduced the measure, said the delay also would allow time to plan for moving the treasurer’s duties to other government agencies.

He asked colleagues to “step outside the comfort zone of the status quo” with the goal of making government smaller.

He estimated the state could save at least $400,000 per year by eliminating the office, assuming the administrative positions in the Treasurer’s Office could be cut.

“This is not a Republican issue. This is not a Democratic issue,” he said. “This should not be a political issue. This is simply a fiscal issue.”

Sen. Deb Fischer of Valentine said she believes the savings could be greater. She said a Revenue Department official told her that agency could add the treasurer’s responsibilities for receiving state monies with no increase in staff.

In Nebraska, the treasurer handles the state’s “checkbook,” receiving and disbursing most of the money coming into state government.

The treasurer also deals with unclaimed property, administers the college savings program and handles child support collections and disbursements.

Opponents questioned whether the measure would actually save money.

Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont said the proposal would reduce accountability because the treasurer would no longer have to face a vote of the people every four years.

He predicted Nebraska voters would pass the amendment without realizing what they may be giving up.
“Let’s face it. Not a lot of people care what the state treasurer does,” he said.

Sen. Tony Fulton of Lincoln, one of three Republican candidates for state treasurer, said the state can save money without eliminating the office. The amendment would take duties away from an elected position and put them into a bureaucracy, he said.

Fulton did not vote on the proposal, citing a conflict of interest, but he did speak during the debate.

Nebraska is among 37 states with a state treasurer elected by voters. Four have treasurers elected by the Legislature. The governor appoints someone to handle treasurer duties in seven states and the other two have treasurers chosen by boards or other officials.

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