Jerry Chizek, former state senator from west Omaha, 'hated inequality'

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/news/jerry-chizek-former-state-senator-from-west-omaha-hated-inequality/article_0af695a2-e5d3-11e3-a982-001a4bcf6878.html

POSTED: TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014 2:13 PM
By Paul Hammel / World-Herald Bureau

LINCOLN — As a state legislator, Jerry Chizek disregarded death threats to introduce a bill to regulate paramilitary training, saying the “poison mentality” of extremist groups had no place in Nebraska.

He helped craft a compromise that led to a state law that requires a criminal background check before purchasing a handgun and introduced a bill to remove the tax exemption for corporate airplanes.

Chizek, who friends say stood up for the common guy and loved the rough-and-tumble of politics, died Monday of liver cancer at his home in Longville, Minn. He was 77.

Snip: He was a union representative and public affairs manager during his career with Northwestern Bell. He served as state labor commissioner from 1971 to 1979 and also was a reserve deputy for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

FULL story at link.