LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A Democratic state senator from Omaha says he’s planning legislation addressing the use of court settlement money by the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.
Sen. Heath Mello says in a news release that his bill would direct settlement funds into the budgets of Nebraska’s schools. The bill also would require settlement money directed for another purpose must be deposited into a fund created by the Legislature, with appropriate oversight and transparency.
Criticism arose after Attorney General Jon Bruning awarded a $100,000 grant from a cash pool intended for environmental issues to a Nebraska farm coalition that was formed to fight an animal welfare group. The coalition includes the politically influential Nebraska Farm Bureau.
Bruning is a Republican candidate to replace Democratic U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson, who isn’t seeking a third term.