STUTHMAN SAYS RETAILERS RESIST RESTRICTING ACCESS TO METH INGREDIENT

Curtailing access to pseudoephedrine, one of the main ingredients of
methamphetamine, should be a key item on the Unicameral's agenda this
year, according to state Sen. Arnie Stuthman of Platte Center.

Following a recent visit to the Nebraska State Patrol drug lab,
Stuthman told members of the Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee
this morning that he was surprised at how easy it is to manufacture
meth.

Stuthman spoke as part of an annual breakfast meeting at Picket Fence
Cafe to update the committee on issues facing the Legislature.

Stuthman said some efforts are being made to introduce legislation
that would increase penalties for meth use and manufacturing, hire
more law enforcement and make it harder for those who "cook" the drug
to get their hands on the pseudoephedrine, an ingredient found in
over-the-counter cold medications.

Potential restrictions on retailers include keeping cold medications
containing the ingredient behind the counter and forcing consumers to
sign for the medications.

"We're getting some resistance from the retailers," Stuthman said.
"They don't want to go through all that trouble."

One of Stuthman's main concerns is the residual effects of meth use on
society.

"It isn't just using meth. It's the child abuse, the welfare, the
burglaries," Stuthman said, in addition to the toll it takes on the
users. "Once you take meth, you're never the same tomorrow as you were
today because of what it does to your brain."

Overall, however, Stuthman stayed true to his belief in strong local
control over a heavy-handed state government, except in those areas in
which the state picks up the slack.

A repeal of the helmet law for motorcyclists is currently under
debate, and Stuthman said he does not believe the state should mandate
helmet use, but said riders who sustain serious injuries can "become a
liability for the state, and the state will have to pick up the bill
down the road."

Emergency room workers and other medical personnel across the state
support the helmet law, Stuthman said.

Legislation to keep some level of consistency in smoking bans is also
under consideration. Stuthman said the state has a law that bans
smoking where food is served except in designated areas, and the
Unicameral wants to ensure that no local municipality can create a law
more strict than that, such as the new ordinance in Lincoln that bans
smoking indoors in public facilities.

Stuthman said he agrees with Lincoln's regulation because it was
passed by a majority of the voters there.

"I'm for local control. I don't think the state should mandate
everything," Stuthman said, but added, "If you want to smoke, that's
your privilege."

Expressing surprise at the amount of publicity he received for his
opposition to junk food in schools, Stuthman said he has no idea
whether or not the issue will face the Legislature, but wants to be
sure Nebraska residents know it is an issue of concern to state lawmakers.

The Class I schools debate, which is asking that all elementary-only
school districts merge with a district with a high school, is causing
a major debate among lawmakers, and those from western Nebraska are
adamantly against it.

"Realistically, in my opinion, I have to agree with them," Stuthman
said. "In this situation, it's not a case of one-size-fits-all."

The local senator said he worries that young children would face
busing for 50 or 70 miles.

Stuthman also touched on a resolution that was introduced concerning
senator's compensation. Currently, those who serve in the Unicameral
receive an annual salary of $12,000. The resolution would create
discussion about raising that amount and possibly even doubling it.

As set, the low pay dissuades younger people and business people from
serving in the Legislature. Coupled with the term limits that restrict
service to eight years, Stuthman said he is concerned about turnover
in the Unicameral.