The Public Pulse, February 8

Help larger and smaller schools

I am very disappointed in the Nebraska Supreme Court's ruling concerning the Learning Community. I am in favor of helping all children be able to obtain a good education, but at what expense do we implement this cause?

All schools should be equipped to give every student the best chance at life. My problem comes with the fact that smaller schools are losing so much of their tax dollars to the larger schools within the community that they will not be able to continue to operate.

The outlying smaller schools often do not attract students from the inner city, and if they do, the expense of transporting them is very high.

I hope the Nebraska Legislature and the Learning Community can work together to accomplish both goals: Keep the smaller schools viable, while giving all students the advantages of a better education.

Susan Tafini, Springfield, Neb.

Add space to train more nurses

Work force studies report that Nebraska currently has a shortage of at least 1,200 registered nurses, and projections indicate the shortfall will increase to about 4,000 nurses by 2020. This is the most critical work force shortage facing our state.

The University of Nebraska College of Nursing has substantially increased student enrollment over the past decade, but the current enrollment will not be enough to meet the projected need.

Despite the demand for nurses, almost half of qualified applicants to the College of Nursing are being turned away because of lack of space in the current facilities. The space needs are especially critical for the college's Lincoln division, which is currently located in a renovated department store on O Street in downtown Lincoln.

The size and features of this space are inadequate for the current enrollment, let alone an allowance for needed growth. Hopefully, the Legislature and the governor will provide funding this year for the proposed new facility for the Lincoln division.

Charles Wilson, M.D., Lincoln

Descendants earn inheritance

Atley Wedemeyer's Feb. 3 letter said those with inheritances do little to earn their money and should give back to the state.

Let me remind the writer that a family farm, for example, has high property taxes. The farmer pays income tax when the crops are sold. The same is true for small family businesses. They pay property taxes every year, as well as income taxes on the money earned each year.

Farmers and business owners spend the lifetime of their children training them to take over the family business. They've worked hard. Why should they be taxed a third time when the preceding generation passes away?

Steven Rogers, Plattsmouth, Neb.

Need to change foster care law

In regard to a Feb. 3 news story, "Money a concern for foster parents," we wanted to express our support for Legislative Bill 926, which might be able to fix some of that problem.

We were licensed as Nebraska foster parents in September 2010 and have had placement of a 4-year-old child since November 2010. We have two more openings in our home for foster children, as well as four biological children of our own.

In November 2011, our caseworker asked if we would be willing to receive permanent placement of the two younger siblings of the foster child currently in our home. We agreed to this and are happy to serve in this capacity.

However, under current law, this will require us to relinquish our foster care license because of the number of children in the home. We will lose our agency support and see our reimbursement reduced by 66 percent.

Why does Nebraska not have exceptions to the number of children in the home in cases like ours? Why are the special placement rates significantly lower than licensed care, especially for licensed foster parents?

Exceptions to the rules on the number of children in the home should be considered, especially the requirement that foster care licenses be relinquished in order to take on a special placement.

We support LB 926's efforts to align the special placement rates with licensed rates, especially in the case of licensed foster parents.

Michael and Maria Edwards, Omaha

Don't forget UNO sports venues

State Sen. John Harms of Scottsbluff, Neb., has proposed that the state give $13.7 million to Chadron State College to renovate its gym and $8.6 million to Peru State College to renovate its football field.

I question why we should give state money to fund athletic improvements. As a University of Nebraska at Omaha alum and hockey season ticket-holder, I also would ask whether Sen. Harms will be offering UNO the same amount of money to renovate its athletic facilities or build an arena for its hockey team and other athletic teams.

Rick Kreulen, Omaha

No payoffs for political donors

A Feb. 5 news story about political contributions noted that Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle has received donations from at least three individuals whom he has appointed to various boards.

Former Mayor P.J. Morgan, who gave $2,000, was appointed to the Airport Authority. Godfather's Pizza founder Willy Theisen, who gave $2,000, and Lund Company CEO John Lund, who gave $5,000, were both appointed to the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority board.

This sounds a lot like Chicago-style politics, where the "pay to play" scheme seems to thrive. I believe we need to keep Omaha politics clean and avoid all appearances of evil by prohibiting contributors to the support and election of officials from being appointed to positions of influence.

Dale Marples, Omaha

Church can't violate its beliefs

Joan Vennochi's column (Feb. 5 More Commentary) claims the Catholic Church is forcing its religion on non-Catholic employees with its opposition to health insurance that covers contraception and abortifacients.

Ms. Vennochi seems to think like a socialist in that everyone is entitled to everything everyone else has.

No one has forced anyone to take a job at a Catholic hospital. People can weigh the economic benefits and perks against offers from other institutions. They don't have to accept the job, and they can take a better offer at any time.

Our government seeks to eliminate any display of religion in government institutions and operates under the separation of church and state. That same doctrine should apply equally in reverse. The government shouldn't be forcing the church to violate its fundamental beliefs.

Just because employees are non-Catholic doesn't mean the church has to help and encourage them to do something it considers morally and socially damaging, and against its religious beliefs. It is blatantly unconstitutional to require the church to do so.

Armand Gibbons, Omaha

Keeping church and state apart

Catholic bishops in the United States are insisting that Catholic colleges and hospitals are religious institutions that should not be subjected to government rules regarding women's health care.

If so, they should do the honorable and American thing and renounce all funding from the government.

This sort of conflict is precisely the reason our nation's founders enshrined the principle of separation of church and state in the U.S. Constitution. They had the wisdom to realize that both government and religion thrive better when they do not mingle.

Donald Kuhns, Omaha

Omaha cleared snow quickly

Kudos to Mayor Suttle, the Omaha Public Works Department and all of the private contractors who got way ahead of the first heavy snow in Omaha this winter.

It should remind us all that Omaha is not California or Florida. Nor is the weather suited for outdoor venues.

I had the good fortune to stay inside until the snow was cleared.

L.J. Jones, Omaha

Helping each other after storm

After our recent snowfall, I learned we could live on the East Coast or the West Coast if we want, but there is no place like Omaha.

I have the greatest neighbors in the world. We can forget the politics, but we cannot forget how special our neighbors can be.

Bertie Lange, Omaha

Give us more fast-food options

Why can't the Omaha-Council Bluffs area support at least one location for a White Castle, In-N-Out Burger or Jack in the Box restaurant?

I'd like a choice other than the huge chains. I'm glad we have a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Omaha's Midtown Crossing.

Mike Hicks, Omaha

Super Bowl is at top of its game

Clint Eastwood's Super Bowl spot was right on the money. Regardless of anyone's position on auto bailouts or bankruptcies, it's hard to deny that this was a great motivational speech.

Mr. Eastwood is simply reminding us that the first step in restoring sanity to our great nation is recognizing what it means to be Americans.

The Super Bowl was a winner all around: The national anthem was performed by "American Idol" alum Kelly Clarkson as it was written, instead of the singer drawing attention to herself. There were no bad calls by the referees and no major examples of poor sportsmanship.

This trend will hopefully continue into November in restoring the sanity to America.

Mel Shelnutt, Clarinda, Iowa

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