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Ashford to NU President: ‘Get the city council off the hook’

By   /   September 12, 2012  /   9 Comments

Joe Jordan |Nebraska Watchdog

Brad Ashford

When it comes to jacking up the tax on cigarettes to help pay for a cancer research center in Omaha, mayoral hopeful Brad Ashford has a message for the head of the University of Nebraska.

Ashford tells Nebraska Watchdog he wants NU President J.B. Milliken “to get the city council off the hook.”

The council appears ready to put in $35 million over the next 10 years through a new tax on cigarettes—35 cents per pack.

J.B. Milliken

Earlier this year the Legislature okayed $50 million toward the public-private project, which is expected to bring in 1,200 jobs and $100 million a year.

Ashford—a state senator who voted for the deal—wants Milliken to make a personal appearance before the council and explain why more tax dollars are needed.

In a statement to Nebraska Watchdog, Milliken said the cancer fundraising team is working on securing “both public and private support” for the center.

According to the legislation (LB968) private or “other funds” are to be used to finish off the project.

In an interview with Nebraska Watchdog, Ashford was adamant that “other funds” meant money from the non-profit University of Nebraska Foundation’s $1.4 billion bankroll, along with cash from the University’s budget.

Ashford says during the recession—unlike plenty of state programs and agencies— the Legislature did not cut NU’s budget. 

Ashford ads that tax dollars, such as the cigarette tax, should only be used as a last resort and not without a full explanation from Milliken as to why private funding has come up short.

Most recent reports have put the cost of the cancer center at nearly $325 million but in his statement to Nebraska Watchdog, Milliken said the price tag is “$370 million.”

Contact Joe Jordan at joe@nebraskawatchdog.org

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Joe Jordan

  • TexasAnnie

    Well I read here that nothing has changed in Nebraska! The hotdogs want something; they go to the unicam and get it; taxes go up while public programs and services go underfunded (usually DD and spec.ed. services); then the hotdogs cry that they didn’t get enough from the public till and need more; they get more; and on it goes… Who did the economic “study” to determine the multiplier effect? 1200 jobs and 100M seems a bit incredulous, don’t ‘cha think?

    Are y’all enjoying the convention center you WANTED instead of the sewer system in Omaha that you NEEDED? And tell me again, why did that economic study fail to produce those construction jobs and spin-off revenues anticipated? And on it goes…

  • ROger Yant

    Bravo Texas Annie, I could not have said it any better.

  • Ivy Marie Harper

    Land Grant University Reform (LGUR)

    Nor could anyone say it better than Texas Annie; I will, nonetheless, add a thought from the great philosopher Gnarls Barkley that is directed to Senator Ashford, Nebraska’s other State Senators, Governors, & Mayors et al:
    “Bless your soul; you really think you’re in control.”

  • Biff

    Just a bit of an alternative view here: Do you naysayers really think that, over the 50, 60, 70 year or longer life of the research center that the city won’t recoup that $35 million many, many times over? Just the sales tax income alone from the money spent by crews during the construction will be a start. New (highly-paid) employees buying houses, cars and goods, paying property, sales and wheel taxes; families of patients who visit doing the same; visiting researchers, as well. Don’t be awed and shortsighted because of a measley $35 million. Instead, think of the possibilities…what if a cure or significant treatment for renal cancer or breast cancer were to be discovered in Omaha?
    Someone invested in research years ago so that you might be innoculated against diptheria, measles, smallpox and other scourges. Now, it is our turn to do the same.

  • http://www.Vernon-J.com/ Vernon J

    When was the last time a tax was removed when it was implemented?

  • D. Mark

    Tax, tax, and more taxes, what is needed is get rid of all the politicians!

  • ricky

    The city has to come up with millions while UNL can build an 18 million dollar basketball locker room and pays BO Pelini three million a year for being terrible? No way let the Nebraska Foundation pay for the buildings.
    But watch the Omaha City Council cave.

    ricky from omaha

  • Sonny

    County is bleeding 1 mil a month at the health center and the sewer project will hit hard, but they just can’t stop spending when local goverments are broke

  • jazzee

    Biff: you make some good points but here’s the deal…they can raise the money get it from Buffet they can name it after him…but we shouldn’t target one group of people (the hated smokers) for something that you maintain will benefit us all now should we? How about all NON smokers pay more? just sayin’