Free Republic

The agreement between Attorney General Jon Bruning and the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission seems to be missing an important provision. The signed document should have included a stipulation that Bruning cease and desist from further grandstanding in NEOC cases. Bruning’s behavior in the controversy won acclaim from immigration hardliners — and an appearance on the Lou Dobbs show on CNN — but it has thrown a monkey wrench into actual governing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development suspended its contract with Nebraska in April because of inadequate performance on cases of housing discrimination. While Bruning was milking the...

The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission has no way to pay for outside legal advice in its dispute with Attorney General Jon Bruning. But a Lincoln law firm that handles civil rights cases might step in to help the state agency that investigates employment, housing and public accommodation discrimination cases. “This issue needs to be decided. We would be willing to file suit so a judge can order Jon Bruning to do his job,” said Kathleen Neary, an attorney with Vincent M. Powers & Associates. Neary said she and Powers would be willing to represent the NEOC in court if the...

OMAHA — A Nebraska commission hoping to win back federal funding was scrambling to negotiate with federal officials and the state attorney general, who said Wednesday that it might be better to let federal investigators handle the cases instead. The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission voted Wednesday to hire outside attorneys for the negotiations and possibly sue Attorney General Jon Bruning in order to retain its responsibility for the cases. If the commission were to permanently lose federal backing, discrimination cases in Nebraska wouldn’t be abandoned. The cases would be investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and...