News Conference on Campaign Issues:

Prescription Drugs

First of all, our seniors should never have to decide between expensive prescription drugs and inflated energy bills.

America is the most industrialized country on the planet that doesn't provide universal low-cost health care benefits to all citizens regardless of age.

Corporate tax of 35% in the 1970s has been reduced to just 17% presently. The Matulka plan would increase corporate tax approximately 3% to million dollar corporations and up to help fund prescription drugs. Also 1.5% would be appropriated off the current military spending budget.

In Mexico and Canada prescription drug benefits are routinely 50% to 70% reduced for the same prescriptions here in the U.S. Why? Deregulation and corporate greed.

Let's incorporate world market prices based on volume discounts. This plan will accomplish two goals, stopping the skyrocketing prescription drugs cost and passing on 25% to 40% savings to the Seniors who need it most.

Ultimately the federal government should shoulder most of the financial responsibility through Medicare to provide universal, low-cost prescription drug benefit to all Seniors.

Farm Policy

This will prove what farmers/ranchers knew all along - price fixing and manipulation at the farmers' expense.

• Chicago Board of Trade - Grain Futures
• Chicago Mercantile Exchange - Livestock Futures

I will move to regulate highly corruptive mega-agribusiness interests that are designed to put the family farm out of business. I will champion less government for the family farmers and ranchers. Together we must save Rural America!

Schools Renewable Energy Investment

My plan centers on the employment of renewable energy policy for installations at local, state and federal agencies for the 21st Century consisting of state of the art solar panels and wind generators that will save thousands of dollars annually for each school district. Renewable energy is nothing new for most Nebraskans. We need to stay ahead of the curve instead of behind it. Basically renewable energy technology harnesses the wind and solarizes the sun's rays. Let's learn our lessons well about energy companies that operate like Enron and Williams, scandals.

We all hear reports that renewable energy is too expensive, actually nothing could be farther from the truth. In reality our public school systems already pay too much for energy costs, with absolutely no investment spending opportunities. This program will save the State of Nebraska and other states millions of dollars in any five-year period.

Surplus energy can be stored in battery packs linked to existing electrical supply units or it can be sold back to the electrical companies to further reduce the effects of global warming. State, federal and local governments an save taxpayers money. IMAGINE THAT! Additionally this will give school districts backup power supply in case of future terrorist attacks on power plants.

This renewable energy plan will stimulate new companies and create new jobs into a sagging economy. This is America's energy independence.

I would like to enroll two schools in Lincoln, two schools in Omaha and schools in Beatrice, Columbus, Grand Island, Norfolk and Scottsbluff for this plan, and then eventually schools in all 93 counties in any 5-year investment program. All that is needed is to research 2-3 weeks max to the top 3 manufacturers with renewable energy products, technical service setup, competitive pricing, and guaranteed business applications & decisions. Away we go towards sound fiscal leadership.

Charlie Matulka