MSC News

MSC News National Headlines Sports Top Headlines CBS US News CBS Technology

Printer Friendly

Email to a Friend

Senator Introduces Bill to Aid Johnson Co, Neb

By John Nixon

02/17/2015

(KLZA)-- Since the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution opened in Johnson County in 2001, it has cost Johnson County taxpayers more than $150,000 for grand jury investigation fees, witness fees, coroner costs and filing fees in District and County Courts.

1st District State Senator Dan Watermeier introduced LB-105 last week to the Government, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee. The bill would transfer costs from counties where a prison is located, to the state.

Under current law, the county in which a prison is located is responsible for the cost of the Grand Jury, autopsy and witness compensation when a person dies that is serving a state prison sentence.

Watermeier noted a recent study that indicates un-funded mandates make up eight percent of the budget of a local government.

The Senator says it is unfair to make local taxpayers responsible for the costs of these deaths that occur while someone is incarcerated when their crimes did not occur in Johnson County. Research by the Johnson County Attorney show that none of the deaths that have occurred at the facility north of Tecumseh since it opened, have been sentenced to prison in Johnson County.

If adopted, this would also help pay for the costs of many lawsuits described as frivolous that inmates file while serving sentences at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution.

You will need to be logged in to leave a comment.

Please Login

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.

Click here to review our Terms of Use.