Declarations

Whistleblower Retaliation

“He was only looking out for the interest of his employees of the state treasurer’s office. … He refused to do something that was illegal.”

—Kathleen Neary in Lancaster County District Court comments on a controversial case of a former employee in the Nebraska treasurer’s office who has filed a lawsuit against the state alleging he was directed to illegally create a computer program to prohibit employees from filing for overtime. Robert Harrison of Lincoln alleges that after he refused, and protested to Treasurer Shane Osborn and several managers, his bosses retaliated by asking him to resign. He refused to quit and was transferred to a temporary position filing paperwork, which he also refused, according to the lawsuit filed by Neary. Neary believes a jury will find that Harrison was “constructively discharged.” Harrison alleges the retaliation violates labor laws. He is seeking to be returned to his database and Web development position, for which the state hired him in December 2007, or to be paid what he would have earned. The lawsuit also asks for unspecified compensatory damages. Nebraska State Treasurer Shane Osborn said he’s “confident once the facts are revealed the treasurer’s office will be fully exonerated.”

Golf Cart Mania

“With the economy faltering and gas prices going through the roof, this is a way to save gas.”

—Milton Otero, the Hamilton town manager in the lake community about 30 miles north of Fort Wayne, Ind., comments on the number of residents using golf carts as a mode of transportation. Not everyone in the community is so supportive. According to Indiana State Police, while state law does not specifically ban golf carts from public roads, they must have license plates issued by the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles. State police say in many cases the carts fail to meet the safety and equipment standards for motor vehicles to be driven on public streets. Several communities across Indiana have ordinances allowing golf carts on their streets. Hamilton charges a $40 annual registration fee, requires insurance and limits the number and ages of passengers.

Smoke Free State

“This dramatic decline in the smoking rate means that fewer Minnesota families will suffer the health and economic devastation of tobacco-related diseases.”

—Dr. Barbara Schillo, director of Research Programs for ClearWay Minnesota, says findings from the latest Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) show that Minnesota is making significant progress in reducing tobacco use. The survey, conducted by ClearWay Minnesota, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health — found that Minnesota’s adult smoking rate has declined to a low of 17 percent, representing 164,000 fewer smokers, and down approximately 5 percentage points since 1999. Minnesota’s declines are impressive compared to national trends, where smoking rates appear to have stalled at about 20 percent since 2004.

Topics Minnesota