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Svoboda attacks Beutler's record

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By DEENA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Mar 23, 2007 - 01:32:53 am CDT

Ken Svoboda says Chris Beutler has tried to reinvent himself since he decided to run for mayor.

And he claims the new Beutler bears little resemblance to the state senator who represented Lincoln for two dozen years.

He says Beutler portrays himself as a pro-growth, pro-business candidate who will hold the line on taxes, but the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry gave his career voting record a measly 39 percent — the fourth-lowest ranking in the Legislature.

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And the National Federation of Independent Business says he supported its pro-small-business agenda just 44 percent of the time in the 2005-2006 session.

Beutler has said if elected mayor, he wouldn’t increase the property tax rate, at least initially, but Svoboda says when Beutler was a senator, he regularly supported increases in the state income tax, sales tax, fuel tax, cigarette tax and vehicle registration fees.

Beutler said Svoboda is distorting his record; he has long advocated conservative budgeting — often opposing tax cuts when they didn’t leave enough money in the state’s rainy-day fund.

“I find it curious that instead of offering solutions for the future, he’s attacking me on my past,” Beutler said. “This looks a little desperate.”

Beutler has pledged not to increase the city’s property tax rate, at least during his first year in office, if elected. Svoboda has pledged not to raise property taxes to balance the budget throughout the four-year term.

Svoboda criticized Beutler’s 1998 vote against a sales tax cut, but Beutler wanted the state to keep more money in reserve to prevent tax and fee increases during economic downturns. Svoboda also criticized Beutler for being one of just three senators who voted against Gov. Mike Johanns’ $100 million property tax relief package in 1999. At the time, Beutler said it cut too deeply into the state’s cash reserve.

Svoboda’s campaign also claimed Beutler opposed a 2006 package of state income tax cuts. However, while Beutler lobbied against the bill in its earlier forms, he ultimately voted for the tax cuts.

Beutler said he also voted for what he considers the most significant economic development legislation in the past 20 years: the Nebraska Advantage Act, which helped the state attract Verizon Wireless to Lincoln. But he’s had his differences with the state chamber, for example, when he pushed for the Advantage Act to be more transparent and supported raising the state minimum wage.

And while Svoboda criticizes Beutler’s approval of a cigarette tax increase, Beutler noted that cigarette tax dollars help pay for Lincoln’s Antelope Valley Project.

Svoboda said Beutler repeatedly hammers the City Council for its inaction on things such as budget problems and street funding needs, but rarely specifically attacks Svoboda. Svoboda thinks that’s because his record stands firm: He says he has consistently voted for economic development, lower taxes, budget cuts and additional police officers.

He’s not ashamed of his record, and would continue to support those things as mayor, he said.

But Beutler said Svoboda has been just as inert as the rest of the council; he hasn’t offered long-term solutions to the city’s road funding gap or continual budget shortfalls.

“Ken has sat back and sat back and sat back and has not been a proactive actor on that City Council and has avoided coming to grips — has offered no solutions to major growth problems,” he said. Svoboda hasn’t proposed changes in the public works department or planning and permitting processes, he said.

Svoboda says he has stood up to a City Council that is dominated by an “anti-growth, anti-business” attitude.

“It is the controlling council majority — and the sitting mayor —who share Chris Beutler’s liberal philosophy,” the Svoboda campaign said. “Chris Beutler as mayor would be more of the same.”

As for Svoboda’s contention that it’s difficult to get his agenda passed when the council is dominated by Democrats, Beutler said he was in the minority during his entire legislative career but still was able to get a lot of things done.

And Beutler said anybody who spends a half hour with Mayor Coleen Seng and a half hour with him can easily see “we’re very different.”

Reach Deena Winter at 473-2642 or dwinter@journalstar.com.


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Ken should be ashamed of himself wrote on March 23, 2007 3:12 am:
" Ken Svoboda has taken the race for mayor into the mud. After all the negative bickering of the Senate race last year, I would have hoped he would have stuck to the high road, but I'll remember that he was the one to take the first cheap shot! "

 Track Records wrote on March 23, 2007 6:03 am:
" Svboda and Camp have routinely tried to change things while on the council but were out voted by the Dems. It makes it a little tough to change things. As far as attacking Mr. B on his past record...what is the problem with that? It shows us your character and your thought process.Oh, by the way, weren't you quietly on Mayor Don Wesley's payroll?

Mr. S has done made some mistakes as well. Consider the 9 mil budget problem and he votes to raise the mayor's salary. Lead by example Ken. "


 funk wrote on March 23, 2007 6:16 am:
" I find it funny that Ken is attacking his opponents record on what Buetler accomplishments have been when if you look at Svobodas record it shows just how ineffective he really is. Crying with your buddy Mr. Camp about how unfair it is to be on a split council is not an example of leadership and not what I would expect from our next possible Mayor. Councilperson Svoboda, How do you intend to work in a BI-partisan fashion if you are fortunate enough to be elected Mayor? Because your record proves thus far that you will stick your head in the sand and pretend like we can’t progress the city because we can’t get along and the other side doesn’t play fair. Hey, at least we know Chris is willing to make tough choices, like em or not, But that’s what I would expect from a leader. Not bitter, partisan sniveling. "

 WCG wrote on March 23, 2007 7:32 am:
" Please! This is just so typical! You can distort anyone's record if they have any legislative experience at all. But I guess throwing mud works, most of the time. I remember Beutler's work in the Unicameral, and if I didn't agree with him all of the time, I was still very impressed. On that basis, I'd say he'd make a fine mayor. Svoboda always tries to get his name in the paper, but he hasn't done anything constructive on the City Council. And these lame attacks don't do much to improve my opinion of him. "

 on the record wrote on March 23, 2007 8:33 am:
" I am glad to see the LJS shine light on Beutlers record...Beutler cannot change nearly a quarter of a century of pro-tax, anti-business voting record in one 30 second commercial that says otherwise. "

 David Brent wrote on March 23, 2007 8:35 am:
" What? You mean to say that a Lincoln Democrat has voted to hammer Nebraska residents with tax increases? I'm shocked! This is preposterous! "

 William wrote on March 23, 2007 9:11 am:
" Ken Svoboda has a tough task ahead of him because most voters just don't pay attention. He is absolutely right about Chris Beutler. Beutler has consistently and repeatedly voted for tax increases and against tax relief for over a decade. He will not hesitate to raise property taxes to fund government growth. If Svoboda can get the truth out about Beutler's much publicized past, then he will win. That means Beutler must work to keep the truth hidden, and he must obfuscate that truth by presenting himself as something he is not. This not only calls into question Beutler's record, it calls into question his very credibiilty. Beutler may be better served just admitting the truth because so few voters pay attention. "

 Husker Bob wrote on March 23, 2007 9:46 am:
" Finally the Svoboda campaign is exposing Beutler for the liberal tax and spender anti-growth candidate he is. I've been waiting for them to expose him. It's funny Beutler doesn't want to talk about his past -- If I had a liberal record as a tax increasing anti business state legislature I would want to hide that from the voters too. Good job Ken -- don't stop exposing Chris Beutler as the dangerous liberal he is. "

 Stan wrote on March 23, 2007 10:11 am:
" He who lives in a glass house should not toss stones and when you point the index finger make sure of what you are pointing out due to three pointing back.. Now for some real opinions. If Svoboda is that concerned about poll opinions, what is his platform for Mayor. Beutler has come forward for his whats Svobodas other than BS. "

 Eric wrote on March 23, 2007 10:13 am:
" Let us not forget how Ken slipped the smoking ban into law. I agree with the ban but it was very wrong how he went about it. Stick to mowing lawns. As I remember you seem to have a problem even doing that. "

 Late O' Day wrote on March 23, 2007 10:53 am:
" Having Ken Svoboda make fun of your record is like having Don King make fun of your hair-style. I'm no fan of Beutler, but he have concrete evidence of Svoboda's constant screw-ups and legendary incompetence in the form of his City Council tenure. He's part of the clutch of mediocrities who have driven this city into the ground. Are we to believe he is suddenly going to change? "

 Yant for Mayor wrote on March 23, 2007 11:01 am:
" Vote for Yant! Let the other 2 that have already run our city into the ground fight. "

 Smells like desperation wrote on March 23, 2007 11:20 am:
" You usually only see campaigns attack like this when they know they're losing and are trying to make up ground by tearing down the other guy. It's sad that Kenny is in this bad of shape so early in the election. "

 all the more reason..... wrote on March 23, 2007 11:38 am:
" All the more reason.....I am voting Yant for Mayor!!! "

 B wrote on March 23, 2007 11:54 am:
" Svaboda was really starting to seem like a nice guy who just wanted to run for mayor. Now....well not so much. It's sad that Svaboda doesn't seem to think he can win with just his ideas. By creating political attacks show who YOU really are, not your opponent. "

 What wrote on March 23, 2007 12:59 pm:
" Isn't is just like the repubs to blame their mistakes on the Democrats. Dems control the city council? The last time I checked majority of the city council were registered republicans. Also, the repubs are in the vast majority in the Unicameral. Any tax increases fall on their shoulders. "

 Svboda wrote on March 23, 2007 1:03 pm:
" This just shows how little Ken Svboda has to stand on--the only way he can make himself look good is to try to bring Beutler down. Svboda's always whining about how hard it was for him to get anything done in the city council being in the minority--yet Beutler was one of only a handful of Democrats in the legislative body and yet somehow managed to be an incredibly effective representative for his constituents. In the article, Svboda says that Beutler often attacks the city council but not Svboda specifically--did it cross his mind that's because Beutler is above mudslinging? Give it up Ken. "

 Heather wrote on March 23, 2007 2:44 pm:
" I'm tired of feeling like I'm choosing between the lesser of 2 evils. Let's hear more about the third candidate, because so far I'm unimpressed! "

 Those of you wrote on March 23, 2007 2:54 pm:
" who are saying you'll be voting for Yant, had better read his ideas for the police department again..... talk about someone with ideas that have NO way of working.... "

 Mr. wrote on March 23, 2007 3:15 pm:
" TALKING ABOUT A PAST VOTING RECORD IS NOT A PERSONAL ATTACK. This is something they teach in politics 101. If say, we started accusing somebody of beating his wife or kids; that's taking it into the mud. Another thing. I plan on voting for Ken Svoboda, but there is nothing wrong with a "career politician." When hiring people for a job, you hire the person with the best experience. There is nothing wrong with somebody who has dedicated the last quarter of a century to public service. Even though I'm going to vote Svoboda, I respect Mr. Beutler for his experience and dedication. "

 Mayor wrote on March 23, 2007 3:38 pm:
" I say Yant is the way to go! He is a buisness man and will return calls and talk to the people on phone. He is for the people. Thats what we need. How can you go wrong with Yant? Anyone would be a blessing compaired to Seng. "

 now we talking wrote on March 23, 2007 4:01 pm:
" Let them fight and write in who you think can run the City "

 mike wrote on March 23, 2007 4:17 pm:
" While Svoboda has been trying to get things done on the city council, Jon Cook and his puppy Dan Marvin have been making it very difficult for anything in the way of progress to take place in this city. Let's remember that Mr. Beutler has been getting about $60,000 from the city to be a head of fundraising for the sunken gardens - wow that must have been tough. While Svoboda and Camp have been trying to move this city into a growth spurt, the cooks, marvins and mcroys on the city council want lincoln to stay in their control - don't cut down any trees or else the do-gooders will cry. At least Svoboda has had to make choices that affect Lincoln. "

 No ambition wrote on March 23, 2007 8:14 pm:
" I'll vote for Mr. Yant. Anybody in their right mind already knows Svoboda & Buetler will raise taxes. Thats all they know to do. Buetler won't raise taxes at least the first year!! Thats a bunch of crap, and already tells you he's going to raise taxes and doesn't know pittly dip about whats going on. Anymore taxes and I'm bankrupt. What do these people think retired people live on????? Instead of getting industry and business in like they should have years ago, all these people with their noses in the air drawing good salaries from the citizens is drag everybody thru the mud and I am sick of it!! Never seen a town with leaders that have NO ambition and are nothing but spoiled brats that never grew to adulthood!!! The biggest employers are the city and state. These leaders must have forgotten to go to school!!! "

 Smokin wrote on March 23, 2007 8:34 pm:
" Beutler’s approval of a cigarette tax increase, Beutler noted that cigarette tax dollars help pay for Lincoln’s Antelope Valley Project. So then who supported smoking ban? Which in turn lowed total sales lowering the tax dollars that come in. No wonder nothing ever gets done around here. Raise the tax then put a ban in effect. Our city government are all as sharp as marbles. I will vote for Roger Yant. A fresh New look to the future of our city! "

 Louise wrote on March 23, 2007 9:41 pm:
" It is about time that Ken Svoboda speaks up and tells the Lincolnites to take a hard look at Beutler's voting record in the legislature. Facts do not lie and pointing out the facts is not mud-slinging. Chris Beutler has tried to blame Ken as a councilman that nothing was accomplished during his 6 years on the city council. I remember very well this last year's budget sessions, Svoboda proposed several million dollars in cuts and the four Democrats, count them, Jonthan Cook, Dan Marvin, Patte Neuman and Annette McRoy voted to keep the money in the budget to spend on their or the mayor's pet projects. Watch the City Council on Channel 5 and you will see for yourself who are the liberals and who are the conservatives. Jon Camp, Robin Eschliman and Ken Svoboda try to make progress, but it is impossible when you do not have the majority vote. So all you so call know it all people (Beutler and Yant supporters) are not fooling anyone. When Ken is elected, I hope he cleans house. Out with the old guard (Wesley and Seng hires) of department heads. The days of intimidation and threats on the real hard working city employees will be over. Then the new administration can move onward and upward. As for Mr. Yant. Poor man he thinks owning a dating service has prepared him for leadership. Well, I guess we all need dreams. "

 Svoboda pro drag strip wrote on March 23, 2007 10:54 pm:
" Svoboda has gone on record as being pro drag strip. Refer to the drag strip proponent letters submitted for the drag strip application and what his buddies are saying on the drag strip web site. There are more worthwhile things to support. "

 JR wrote on March 23, 2007 10:58 pm:
" So, Svoboda is getting so desperate as to use the "L" word. Sounds like typical scare tactics trying to save the widows and orphans from the "Evil" Democrats ... when in reality, it is the pro business LIBA, and Chamber of Commerces that are the real threat to a decent way of life in Lincoln. If Svoboda and his Pro business people get their way, say goodbye to park land, or open government in the future. "

 I'd like answers wrote on March 23, 2007 11:30 pm:
" I'd like to see Beutler's idea for increasing the city's revenue. I've heard Svoboda's and it is repeated in this article. I also want to see specific issues in the budget addressed. Concern centers around raising property taxes. Here is some food for thought, around 60% of our property taxes go to LPS. Around 14% to city departments. I have heard about the city department's freeze on hiring, trimming down their budgets. What is LPS doing? How about digging a little deeper into the issues. "

 omnione wrote on March 24, 2007 12:14 am:
" Vote for Yant? Are you people serious. The guy was one of the most disorganized speakers I have ever seen after watching him at the recent debate. He spent his entire closing argument essentially saying that he couldn't debate. If Yant can't even handle a debate in front of twenty people and a TV audience, then that casts doubts on his ability to lead a city of 250,000+ people. Yant's style of running a city is better suited for a small town under 10,000 residents with some, but limited, growth potential. He's too "small town" and is clueless about the dynamics of a government that governs a city of Lincoln's size. "

 Jim L. wrote on March 24, 2007 9:02 am:
" Here we go again! Our politicians that are suppose to "adults" are once again starting to degrade each other like a bunch of toddlers. For once I would like to see a compaign with no passing the buck or aqusing each other of be unworthy. Personnaly I think if this type of politics is going to take place they should all stick a passifier in their mouths and shut up. How the world can you run a city when you can't run a good clean campaign? Admit your faults and move on!!!!! "

 KLM wrote on March 24, 2007 9:15 am:
" The Svoboda/Camp/Eschliman idea of "progress" is closing our city's swimming pools and privatizing its libraries. With their combined partisanship and ideological extremism - along with a total lack of vision - that's the best they've been able to come up with to address Lincoln's budget problems. As someone who cares about Linocln's neighborhoods and its children, I can only hope that these three stay in the minority on the city council and that Chris Beutler will be elected our city's next mayor. "

 Sad day wrote on March 24, 2007 10:11 am:
" Its a sad day for Lincoln when there is NO intelligent person to vote for mayor. This town is nothing but a gold digger town, digging from the retired. Not only the town but the state. The last decent governor was Ben Nelson. Anybody with brain has moved out, and rightly so. The point is, why vote, its just more of the gold digging game. Theres no one with ambition or brains!! Same thing with the city council. And having the seperate city and county governments is double the expense. I don't know why they ever got rid of the stage coaches???!!! "

 funk wrote on March 24, 2007 10:40 am:
" Louise, I think that you used a poor choice of words when describing Jon Camp, Robin Eschlimen, and Ken Svoboda as progressives, they are any thing but. I think that a better term would have been partisan whiners. "

 G wrote on March 24, 2007 11:46 am:
" Amen JR, take away the will and power of the people and hand it over to the power brokers who work behind closed doors for self interests. Goodbye middle class… "

 Thanks JR wrote on March 25, 2007 8:51 am:
" Finally someone states the facts. Svoboda, Camp, and Eschilman do not represent progress, they represent LIBA. Thanks JR for stating what most people don't understand. Lincoln's government dating back decades has been controlled like marionettes by a few big business types. These people have gotten us nowhere fast. The "business climate" that the LIBA disciples have tried to foster has resulted in lackluster sales tax revenues and a very unattractive city to outside business. Look no further than Mike Johanns and his switching of political parties to please these people for an example of this. Do yourselves a favor Lincoln and vote these people out! "

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