August 22, 2008

John Stossel to headline Platte Institute Transparency Conference

 

Roger Lempke, executive director of the Platte Institute for Economic Research, led a press conference this morning on the steps of the State Capitol during which the line-up for the Institute’s Transparency Conference was announced. 

“Heightened citizen awareness from greater transparency in government has proven successful in achieving better accountability in other states.  It can happen in Nebraska, too,” said Lempke. “Nebraska’s Unicameral legislature is an efficient form of governing.  But we must never forget that it relies on citizen vigilance instead of partisanship to be successful.” 

The conference is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 at the Nebraska Union in Lincoln. The luncheon keynote speaker will be ABCNEWS correspondent and 20/20 co-anchor John Stossel, who has received 19 Emmy Awards and is a New York Times best-selling author. Nebraska State Treasurer Shane Osborn, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Professor Charlyne Berens, PhD, author of Power to the People and One House, also will present during the conference.

Another highlight of the conference will be a presentation by Platte Institute Senior Policy Analyst Nicole Barrett, JD, on the unveiling of the Institute’s website Unicameral Votes Online, which will give citizens an opportunity to better track happenings in the Unicameral. 

“The Platte Institute has great faith in Nebraskans,” said Lempke. “Give our citizens access to complete information and they will ensure our political leaders deal with the important issues and do the right things.” Lempke also will moderate a panel discussion on the future transparency efforts in Nebraska. The panel discussion will feature a question-and-answer session with the audience.  

Registration for the event is underway. General admission tickets for the entire event are $75 if purchased prior to Oct. 18. Reserved seating as well as tickets exclusively for the luncheon also are available. Individuals are urged to get a brochure with complete information at www.platteinstitute.org and to contact the Platte Institute at (402) 452-3737 to ensure that the event has not sold out.

Download file Transparency Conference Brochure
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CONFERENCE INTERACTIVE MAP