Dave Heineman
From Ballotpedia
| David Heinemen | |
 | |
| Nebraska Governor | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2005 | |
| Current term ends 2010 | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Website | Official Nebraska Governor website |
Contents |
Education
- Bachelor's degree, United States Military Academy at West Point (1970) in economics
Professional experience
After graduating from West Point, Heineman served for five years with the United States Army, leaving with the rank of captain. He also graduated from the Army Ranger training program during that time as well.
Political career
Heineman was first elected to serve the general public of Nebraska in 1990 as a member of the Fremont City Council. He remained there until 1994 when he successfully campaigned to be the state's treasurer, subsequently being re-elected to the office four years later. Heineman was appointed as Lieutenant Governor of the State of Nebraska on October 1, 2001, after David I. Maurstad resigned in order to serve as director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region VIII. He was elected to his first full term the next year.
As governor, Heineman presented the Nebraska State Legislature with a middle class tax cut that "would provide more than $1 billion of tax relief over the next four years." [1] After finagling with state legislators, he signed LB 367, the largest tax relief bill in the state's history that would provide $425 million in tax relief over a two year period, on May 18, 2007. Heineman also pushed for legislation that would make the state's Department of Health and Human Services more accountable to citizens. In a state where agricultural issues are important, Heineman has made them a top priority. The governor helped to negotiate trade deals with the Republic of China and Cuba for the exportation of wheat, soybeans, and other commodities. He has also been a proponent of increased production of ethanol.
Budget plan
"Facing a [budget] shortfall of $334 million" caused largely by shrinking sales tax receipts, Heineman introduced a plan to help balance it. His proposal included a number of cost saving measures including "agency savings, transfers from the general fund" [2] and a 2.5% across-the-board reduction to most state agencies in the 2009 fiscal year and a 5% reduction in fiscal year 2010-2011, cuts totaling $80 million.
Heineman's budget proposal would also take another $154 million from K-12 education, Medicaid, the state prison system and the State Patrol. However, according to Heineman schools are not being cut, the planned increases will simply be frozen. Unlike neighboring Iowa's Governor Chet Culver, Heineman says his salary will not be cut. Heineman said he will oppose any attempt to increase income or sales taxes. He also said he is opposed to dipping any further into the state’s cash reserve fund.
He says $250 million of the reserve is being used to balance the current budget. “Further use of the cash reserve now will only make any future financial challenges more difficult,” said Heineman.[3]
2010 gubernatorial candidacy
- See also: Nebraska gubernatorial election, 2010
Other roles
- President, National Association of State Treasurers (1999-2000)
- Member, Homeland Security Advisory Council (2004)
- Chair, Governors' Ethanol Coalition (2007)
- Member, American Legion Post 21
- Member, Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce
- Member, Fremont Noon Optimist Club
- Member, National Electronic Commerce Coordinating Council Board
- Chair, Economic Development Committee, National Governors Association
- Member, Governors' Biotechnology Partnership
- Former Member, National Homeland Security Advisory Council
- Former Chair, Nebraska Information Technology Commission
- Member, Nebraska Investment Council
- Member, Quality Jobs Board
- Member, State Canvassing Board
Campaign contributions
| 2006 Race for Governor - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Raised | $3,753,055 | |||
| Total Raised by Primary Opponent | $2,428,690 | |||
| Total Raised by Gen. Election Opponent | $380,498 | |||
| Top 5 Contributors | Dave Heineman $390,000 (10.39% of Total) | |||
| Larry Courtnage $37,000 (0.99%) | ||||
| Service Employees/SEIU $35,000 (0.93%) | ||||
| ACC Capital Holdings $25,000 (0.67%) | ||||
| Nebraska Printing Center $21,214 (0.57%) | ||||
| Individuals v. Institutions | $1,072,932 (28.6%) | |||
| $797,556 (21.3%) | ||||
| In v. Outside State | $3,405,670 (90.7%) | |||
| $238,700 (6.4%) | ||||
Electoral history
2006
| 2006 Race for Governor - Republican Primary [4] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Percentage | |||
 Dave Heineman (R)
| 50.3% | |||
| Tom Osborne (R) | 44.4% | |||
| Dave Nabity (R) | 5.3% | |||
| Total votes | 274,975 | |||
| 2006 Race for Governor - General Election [5] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Percentage | |||
| Dave Heineman (R)
| 73.4% | |||
| David Hahn (D) | 24.5% | |||
| Barry Richards (Nebraska) | 1.5% | |||
| Mort Sullivan (By Petition) | 0.6% | |||
| Total votes | 593,357 | |||
Family life
Heineman currently resides in Freemont, Nebraska with his wife, Sally Ganem, and their son, Sam. He is also a practicing Methodist.
Contact info
Office of the Governor
Post Office Box 94848
Lincoln, NE 68509-4848
Phone: 402-471-2244
Fax: 402-471-6031
External links
- Official Nebraska Governor website
- Dave Heineman's Twitter account
- Dave Heineman for Governor Campaign website
- Project Vote Smart - Dave Heineman biography
References
- ↑ Fremont Tribune "Heineman outlines his tax cuts proposals" 29 Dec. 2006
- ↑ Journal Star "Gov. Dave Heineman: Budget proposal is about reducing spending" 2 Nov. 2009
- ↑ Governor Lays Out Budget Cuts; His Salary Safe, Nebraska Watchdog, November 2, 2009
- ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State - 2006 Republican Primary Election Results
- ↑ Nebraska Secretary of State - 2006 General Election Results
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Dawn E. Rockey | Nebraska Treasurer 1995–2001 | Succeeded by Lorelee Hunt Byrd |
| Preceded by David I. Maurstad | Nebraska Lieutenant Governor 2001–2005 | Succeeded by Rick Sheehy |
| Preceded by Mike Johanns | Nebraska Governor 2005–present | Succeeded by NA |
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