Kent Rogert
From Ballotpedia
| Kent Rogert | |
 | |
| Nebraska State Senator, District 16 | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 2007 | |
| Current term ends 2010 | |
| Political party | Non-partisan |
| Profession | Real estate |
| Website | Legislative website |
Contents |
Kent Rogert (b. September 15, 1972) is a member of the Nebraska Unicameral representing District 16. He was first elected to this office in 2006. His current term ends in 2010. On October 22, 2009, he announced that he intends to seek a second four-year term.[1]
Although Nebraska state senators run for office on a non-partisan basis with no party affiliation listed by their name on the ballot, Rogert identifies himself as a Democrat.[2]
Rogert is a graduate of Tekamah-Herman High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He works as a farm business consultant.
Positions
Initiative restrictions
In 2009, Rogert proposed Nebraska Legislative Bill 575 (2009) which, if enacted, would require the Nebraska Secretary of State to order circulation of petitions to be suspended if the Nebraska Attorney General determines there is probable cause to prosecute someone for breaking a petition law.[3]
Rogert voted in favor of Nebraska Legislative Bill 39, to restrict initiative rights in Nebraska.[4]
Wrongful convictions
Rogert successfully sponsored a bill in the 2009 legislative session to provide compensation for those wrongly convicted of crimes in Nebraska.[2]
Alcohol in state parks
In 2009, Rogert sponsored an unsuccessful bill that would legalize alcohol in Nebraska's state parks.[2]
Controversy over sales tax
Rogert owns a 1996 Baja 272, a 28 foot long, high performance boat with a 310 horsepower engine. An investigation by Nebraska Watchdog in October 2009 showed that Rogert had not paid the sales tax that normally would have been due when he purchased the boat because he has a boat dealer registration number. Boat dealers in Nebraska do not have to pay sales taxes on the boats in their dealership's inventory.[5][6]
Boat dealers are not licensed in Nebraska, according to Betty Johnson , Administrator of Driver and Vehicle Records for the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.[5] According to Paul Davis, who owns the Omaha Marine Center, people can walk in to the treasurer’s office, claim to be a boat dealer and walk out without paying the sales tax on a boat purchase.[5]
Questions arose about when Rogert purchased the boat. He told the Lincoln Journal Star in October 2009 that he purchased the boat in 2003. However, in a 2007 story in that same newspaper, Rogert told them, "...this particular boat I got in 2001."[7]
Rogert has declined to tell either the Nebraska Watchdog or the Lincoln Journal Star what the boat cost. Boat dealers interviewed by the Nebraska Watchdog estimated that a 1996 Baja purchased in 2002 would have sold for about $40,000. The sales tax on that purchase in 2002 would have been about $3,000.[5]
Rogert, as a state legislator, is required to file a Statement of Financial Interests. His statement does not indicate that he sells boats.[8]
In the wake of the investigation, the Lincoln Journal Star said the law that allowed Rogert not to pay the sales tax on his boat purchase should be changed: "But Rogert has reaped one sizable benefit from “dabbling” – his word – in boat dealing, Joe Jordan reported on the Internet site Nebraska Watchdog. By filing as a dealer, Rogert was able to avoid paying sales tax on the 1996 310-horsepower Baja 272 he purchased in 2003."[9]
Senate District 16
Senate District 16 is in northeastern Nebraska and includes Burt, Cuming, Stanton, Thurston and part of Washington counties.[1]
2006 election
Rogert ran against Jeff Bush in the November 2006 election for Senate District 16.[10]
- Rogert: 6,066
- Bush: 2,956
Rogert spent $70,334 on his 2006 campaign. Donors to his 2006 campaign included:[11]
- Kent Rogert: $19,574
- Nebraska Chamber of Commerce: $3,219
- Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys: $3,000
- Nebraska Bankers Association: $2,250
- Nebraska Realtors Association: $2,000
- Northridge Country Club: $800
Rogert has started to amass a campaign warchest for his 2010 run. Contributors to his campaign fund for 2010 include:
- Nebraska Education Association: $3,324
- Union Pacific Railroad: $2,750
- AFL-CIO, Nebraska: $1,324
- Anheuser-Busch: $1,000
Contact information
Sen. Kent Rogert
Room 2011, State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: (402) 471-2728
E-mail: krogert@leg.ne.gov
External links
- Official Nebraska State legislature website
- Project Vote Smart biography
- Campaign Contributions: 2008, 2006
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fremont Tribune, "Rogert to announce plan for re-election", October 15, 2009
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Omaha World Herald, "Sen. Rogert will seek re-election", October 9, 2009
- ↑ Nebraska TV, "Hearing set on Neb. bill on petition circulators", March 7, 2009
- ↑ LB39 - Provide restrictions relating to petition circulation and change campaign reporting provisions
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Nebraska Watchdog, "Lawmaker Blasts News Report as Questions Grow", October 27, 2009
- ↑ Lincoln Journal Star, "Watchdog report: Senator did not pay sales tax on boat", October 26, 2009
- ↑ Lincoln Journal Star, "Fresh faces: Kent Rogert", March 24, 2007
- ↑ Nebraska Watchdog, "Exclusive: State Lawmaker and His Speedboat Slip the Taxman", October 25, 2009
- ↑ Lincoln Journal Star, "Close boat-sized loophole", October 29, 2009
- ↑ 2006 Nebraska state legislative election results
- ↑ Follow the Money, 2006
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