Ne: Outside cash fuels drive to kill program (seeking to end affirmative action-style programs)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=102837...

BY MARTHA STODDARD
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN — More than 99 percent of the money for an effort seeking to end affirmative action-style programs in Nebraska has come from a New York City hedge fund executive and groups based in California and Michigan.

Leaders of the initiative petition effort said Friday that such out-of-state funding is essential to achieving their goals and putting the proposed ban before Nebraska voters.

"I don't care where I get the money," said Marc Schniederjans with the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative. "I don't care where I get the help. I just want to get equal rights."

Reports filed with the state show that all but $437 of the $58,771.22 collected by the Nebraska group so far has come from outside Nebraska.

The largest contribution — $50,000 — came from Paul Singer, a founding partner with Elliott Associates, which was described last year as a $7 billion hedge fund. Two groups tied to California businessman Ward Connerly gave more than $8,000.

Of the remainder, $100 was donated by Schniederjans, of Lincoln.

FULL story at link.