Ethics question raised about Neb. lawmaker’s consulting work

Ethics question raised about Neb. lawmaker’s consulting work

Associated Press – June 6, 2008 11:25 AM ET

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A Nebraska political watchdog group is questioning a lawmaker’s work for an organization fighting a proposed ban on affirmative action.

Nebraskans United has paid state Sen. Danielle Nantkes of Lincoln $7,500 for consulting and about $300 in expenses.

Jack Gould of Common Cause Nebraska says Nantkes shouldn’t be paid to work on the issue because she might later be asked to vote on it.

Nantkes says she’s done nothing wrong. She says she opposed the proposed ban on race-based affirmative action in public hiring before Nebraskans United hired her.

A similar measure came up in the Legislature this year but was withdrawn.

The Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative is gathering signatures to try to get the issue on the November ballot.

Date: 6/6/2008 12:00:00 AM