Another victory to report for our grassroots advocates. An unprecedented number of taxpayer advocates contacted the Nebraska State Board of Education to demand responsible spending from Washington, D.C. – and they listened!

Late last week the Board of Education took up a resolution denouncing federally unfunded mandates. This resolution was brought by Board member Bob Evnen because of his disgust with the federal health care reform bill that will cost Nebraska alone over $526 million in taxpayer dollars.

Recently we shared with you a study done by Gov. Dave Heineman’s office that revealed the new federal health care bill, made possible by Sen. Ben Nelson’s decisive vote, will cost Nebraska an additional $526 to $766 Million in expanded Medicaid costs.

This is hundreds of millions of Nebraska tax dollars that will be taken from road construction and our schools and instead be used to pay another unfunded federal mandate. Gov. Heineman has asked education and other leaders across the state to work to repeal and replace the government-run health care bill.

We want to share with you a victory for taxpayers in Lincoln.

Last week Mayor Chris Beutler's committee to review the mayor’s salary recommended a 20% raise increase.

AFP-Nebraska acted, we immediately sent an action alert to our members and many of you called and emailed our elected officials telling them to reject such a large raise considering the current economic climate we face.

Lincoln’s mayor will receive a 20% salary increase, if a committee that Mayor Beutler appointed has its way. With salary increases recommended over two years, the salary would increase by over $25,000 to $100,000 annually.

Mayor Beutler already makes 50% more than the average Lincolnite (who makes $50,504). Does the mayor need a 20% raise in an economy when the average family is only seeing their income rise 2.5% (if they are fortunate enough to have a job)?

Do you remember the TV ads during Nebraska’s bowl game (where we crushed Arizona, who else is excited for 2010?!?) and Sen. Ben Nelson came on the air explaining he ‘listened’ to Nebraskans during the health care debate?

Of course that wasn’t true, poll after poll confirmed the overwhelming majority of Nebraskans opposed the government health care plan. Nebraskans knew what politicians apparently did not – Washington, D.C. should not manage our health care.