As Nebraskans, we pride ourselves on being open-minded, willing to hear the other side of the argument.

That is why we are concerned with Sen. Russ Karpisek's LB 1076, legislation that would empower government officials to block the public from testifying before government boards and councils.

Sen. Karpisek is viewing this issue from the eyes of a legislator - someone who sits through hours and hours of public testimony during his service in the Legislature. And let's be honest, there's a reason not many people watch C-SPAN or public access television. Admittedly, the testimony can be dry, monotonous and often the testifiers themselves can be 'regulars'.

Yet, public servants must avail themselves to the public. Legislators cannot limit public input because they find that input to be stodgy, boring, repetitive or uncomfortable.

Americans for Prosperity-Nebraska strongly supports Sen. Fischer’s LB 745, legislation that would require a public vote before the implementation of an occupation tax.

The occupation tax has been abused. The occupation tax was intended to fund special, large-scale projects. It was not intended to fund the daily operation of government. Yet, Nebraska’s largest city has used the occupation tax in a manner it was not intended; in practice the City of Omaha is using the occupation tax in a manner that skirts Nebraska’s local sales tax rate limits.