REQUESTED BY: John E. Spiegel, Mayor of the City of Ravenna.

QUESTION: May a mayor who owns and is the editor of a newspaper and print shop, publish legal notices, proceedings and ordinances of the city, print letterhead and forms for various city agencies and publish advertising and informational notices for the city?

CONCLUSION

Yes. Under the circumstances outlined in the analysis.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: Robert Roy, a member of the Board of Park Commissioners of the City of Ravenna.

QUESTION: May a member of the Board of Park Commissioners, established under the Ravenna Municipal Code, consisting of three members, appointed by the City Council serving without compensation, sell at retail, hardware items to Ravenna's street, water, sewer and other municipal departments?

CONCLUSION

Yes, see analysis.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: Dan Nolte, Lancaster County Register of Deeds, 555 South 10th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508

QUESTION: May a register of deeds purchase and own real property for rental purposes either individually, as a member of a partnership or as an owner of stock in a corporation.

CONCLUSION

Yes.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: Richard D. Kennedy, 6115 Franklin Street, Lincoln, NE 68506

QUESTION: Whether an appraiser employed by a state agency may do, and be compensated for, similar work for another government entity on his own time?

CONCLUSION

Yes, unless he will perform similar work as a state employee on the same project.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: CF-PAC, Thomas C. Kjar, Chairman, c/o Commercial Federal Savings and Loan Association, 2120 South 72nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68101

QUESTION: May a Nebraska political action committee contribute to a federal political action committee?

CONCLUSION

No, unless the Nebraska PAC is registered as a federal political committee.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: The Honorable Peter J. Hoagland, State Senator, 617 North 90th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114

QUESTION: 1. May a state senator, who is a lawyer, represent a client on a claim filed pursuant to the State Tort Claims Act before the State Claims Board?

2. What procedure governs the actions of a state senator in connection with legislation appropriating funds to satisfy such a claim?

CONCLUSION

1. The Accountability Act does not specifically prohibit such representation, but see analysis.

2. See analysis.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: The Honorable Roland A. Luedtke, Mayor, City of Lincoln, County City Building, Lincoln, NE 68508

QUESTION: Whether a public official must maintain neutrality and refrain from taking a position against a ballot question?

CONCLUSION

REQUESTED BY: John H. Skavdahl, County Attorney, Sioux County, Nebraska

QUESTION: May a county official employ a member of his immediate family for his private business which is also his county office when such family member's primary duties are not county business and she is not directly compensated by public funds?

CONCLUSION

Yes.

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: Larry Morris, Chief of Administration, Game and Parks Commission, 2200 North 33rd Street, Lincoln, NE 68503

FACTS

REQUESTED BY: The Honorable James E. Pappas, State Senator, State Capitol Lincoln, Nebraska 68509

QUESTION: May a state senator engage in a business which does research and consulting with respect to legislative matters, political campaigns and which employs a lobbyist for the benefit of its subscribers or patrons?

CONCLUSION

See analysis.

FACTS