n Christensen working on water bill. PAGE 2.
    By Jan Schultz
    The Imperial Republican
     State Sen. Mark Christensen will serve on the Unicameral's natural resources committee where water legislation will pass through this session.
     During committee elections last week following the Jan. 3 swearing-in ceremony, Christensen of Imperial also was named to the banking and insurance committee.
     "I'm happy with both assignments," he said Friday.
     Christensen, the newly elected state senator for the 44th District, said he originally had either the appropriations committee or transportation as his second preferences behind natural resources. But conflicts with scheduling those committees with natural resources forced a change.
     He then listed banking/insurance or health and human services as his second preference, and was placed on banking/insurance.
     Christensen said he voted for Speaker Mike Flood of Norfolk, who defeated veteran lawmaker Sen. DiAnna Schimek of Lincoln for the legislature's top job.
     Flood is a first-term senator, starting just his second year representing District 19 in Norfolk.
     Christensen said he has known Schimek for many years. However, he voted for Flood because of his interest in water issues.
     Christensen said Flood attended a three-hour WaterClaim meeting in Holdrege last month, wanting more information and to see the organization's proposed water transfer site.
     "That told me he'll go over and above. That's what swayed me," Christensen said, in voting for Flood.
     Flood defeated Schimek on a 28-21 vote for the Speaker position.
     It was a busy day last Wednesday for the senators, starting early with Christensen's individual swearing-in ceremony, followed by photos. His wife, Kathy, and all seven children were able to attend.
     Later in the day, a group swearing-in was held in the chamber.
     The senators went right into committee meetings during the week, and concluded the first few days with the Governor's Ball Friday night.
     In addition to the water bill he plans to introduce, Christensen planned to introduce another bill this week on restricting stem cell research.
     Christensen said it's going to be a tightly-funding, 90-day session this year. In his speech to the legislature, Gov. Dave Heineman said he will support some controlled growth for education and health and human services, but time will tell how much there is to go around.
     Christensen said he is aware of the discussion that he and his family may be moving from Imperial. They have sold their home in town, and moved to a rental house near Imperial last weekend.
     He said the family has discussed moving to the eastern part of the district, and haven't ruled that out completely yet, but he said the family is very happy with living in Imperial. The only reason for considering a move is it would be 100 miles closer to Lincoln, he said.
    Phone-in meetings underway
     The first of Christensen's weekly phone-in meetings to Imperial, Grant and Palisade was held Tuesday of this week.
     The meetings will be held each week on Tuesday, starting at 7 a.m. (MT). Listeners in Imperial can gather at the city council chambers, while those in Grant will meet at the Midwest Electric building. In Palisade the call-in meeting is held at the Southwest Public Power building.
     He said he looks forward to briefing constituents on what's happening in Lincoln, getting acquainted with participants and hearing their input on news from back home.
     Christensen will also be doing a similar call-in meeting to McCook and Curtis starting next Thursday, Jan. 18.