Sherber Admits Extramarital Affair

Biereland senator says he made an 'unfortunate mistake'

MAVOCKE, CEA--Calling it an "unfortunate mistake," Biereland Senator Driscoll Sherber, a Conservative, admitted Thursday he had an extramarital affair with a Senate staffer.

Sherber, a 46-year-old married father of five, tearfully told reporters Thursday morning that he had been unfaithful to his wife Emily, to whom he has been married for 23 years.

Sherber's office confirmed Thursday the affair began back in March 2009, shortly after the senator took office. The woman involved in the affair has not been identified, but Sherber's office confirmed she does not work in his office, but works for another senator, whom has also not been identified.

In a written statement, Sherber's lawyer said the senator is "deeply distraught" about his actions and is "working vigorously to repair" his marriage. Mrs. Sherber, who is a stay at home mom, did not comment to the press, but a family lawyer told reporters Mrs. Sherber is requesting the media give the family privacy.

Sherber's affair was met with sadness and disappointment by his Conservative colleagues. Senate Majority Leader George Landers (C-CEA) told the GBC he is "grieved" for the Sherber family, and is hoping Mr. Sherber can "fix the problem he's created with his family." Senator Jhana Schueler, a fellow Conservative from Biereland who campaigned heavily for Sherber in the last election, said his affair is a "personal matter" but said her "heart goes out" to the Sherber family.

Nationalists in Biereland have already used the scandal to their advantage. The Biereland Nationalist Party has released a web video attacking Sherber for being "distracted" while serving in Mavocke. In an e-mail statement to the Green Mountain Press in Brookings, party chairman Tim Shovells sympathized for the Sherber family, but said the senator's actions "are further proof Driscoll Sherber has not been an effective senator for Biereland."

Sherber has not announced if his admitted affair will affect his re-election plans.

Senate Votes To Protect Veterans' College Benefits From Taxes

Senate stops Collester's plan to tax service members

MAVOCKE, DMG--The Senate voted on Tuesday to protect veterans' college benefits from federal taxation, striking down hopes from President Menuhaeo and the Treasury Department to gain revenue from troops who pursue higher education.

Last month, the Menuhaeo administration proposed laying a 3 per cent tax on veterans' college benefits from the federal government, effectively forcing soldiers who go to college to give up 3 per cent of their benefits to the federal government. The percentage of taxation also would have been variable, depending on the applicant's income.

But yesterday, the Senate struck down the president's idea by proposing and approving a bill of its own that prevents the federal government from collecting taxes on service members' financial aid. The bill was a strong show of bipartisanship, with three Conservative and two Nationalist sponsors. It was easily passed by a vote of 66-24.

Proponents argued that service members are entitled to complete benefits, and the government should not be taxing military members even in difficult financial times.

"These people have fought in fox holes. They've gone through hell. The least we can do for them is give them a basic education so they can go out into the world and continue their service to our country in the civilian sector," Sen. John Yannes (N-POG), a co-sponsor of the bill, said on the Senate floor.

But Sen. John Warner-Patterson (N-WIK), who said he agonized over this bill, said the government requires all citizens to pay taxes, veterans or not.

"I'll be honest with you, I agonized over how I was going to vote on this bill. I was awake all night, couldn't sleep...because I love our military and I love the men and women who serve in it," he said. "But the constitution requires all people, every person, to pay their fair share. And we can't exempt people solely because of their military service."

Conservative Sen. Nancy Lindselli of East Deschire blasted the idea of taxing college benefits for soldiers.

"These kids are returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan, some of them with their hands blown off and some of them are missing legs, and this is how we treat them? By taxing every nickel and dime out of them, as if there aren't already enough taxes on the Grassadellan people? This is ridiculous, and shame on those that think it's okay," Lindselli told the GBC Tuesday afternoon before the vote.

The Department of Tax Revenue and Currency says it recognizes the service of military members, and appreciates their commitment to the country, but "we have a job to do, and that is to collect taxes," Secretary John Rogers-Thurst told GNN News.

"We admire the service of these brave men and women, but we have to collect taxes. That's our job. And in these difficult times, we have to find different areas where we can collect revenue," Rogers-Thurst said.

The National Veterans Organization (NVO) said it was "relieved" the Senate protected veterans from over-taxation.

In a written statement, the group denounced the administration's attempt to "lay burdensome taxes on our military men and women," and criticized the idea, calling it a "slap in the face to those serving our country."

Acting Director of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, Jim Mogoshan, said the administration did not intend to offend veterans.

"The last thing we want to do is offend our veterans. They have served our country admirably, and we respect them and honor them," Mogoshan said.

Sen. Newton Jeffs (C-WIK), who chairs the Senate Military Committee, which oversees veterans' issues, said he was "appalled" at the administration's suggestion of additional taxes on veterans, but added he was pleased the Senate took action. Jeffs also said his committee will look into other issues surrounding veterans and taxes.

A spokesman for Collester said President Menuhaeo will "look some place else" for taxes, and said the president will not try to compromise with the Senate over the issue.

Pietrasaelis Trailing NAT Opponent, Polls Show

Freshman senator headed for a tough re-election bid

GRANTHAM, NWP--Freshman Senator Nadine Pietrasaelis, a Conservative, appears headed for a tough re-election bid in 2010, according to two new polls released Thursday.

Pietrasaelis trails her NAT opponent, Congresswoman Jean Larae Dowd of Dayle-Locke, 38% to 32%, with 30% undecided, according to a poll conducted by the University of New Portsmouth in Dayle-Locke. Another poll conducted by the Grantham Institute, an unaffiliated organization that follows politics in New Portsmouth, showed Pietrasaelis trailing by less, 42% to 38%, with only 20% undecided.

The election isn't until December 2010, so there is still time for things to turn around for the senator. But the polls indicate a clear certainty: Pietrasaelis is likely in for the fight for her political life. She ran unopposed in 2007, when she first began representing the state in the senate. Since then, even moderate Conservatives have had a tough time winning elections in New Portsmouth, which is often regarded as a battle ground state. In December 2008, Governor Jacqueline Bosseau (CNS) and Lieutenant Governor Evan Kershing (CNS) narrowly defeated incumbents Dale Rochey (NAT) and Jane Hanman (NAT) by a margin of 50.62% to 49.38%, respectively. Conservative Senator Ayden Benning also barely surpassed NAT incumbent John Wesley Brown, defeating him 50.36% to 49.64%, respectively.

Pietrasaelis is decidedly more conservative than her moderate colleagues Bosseau, Kershing, and Benning. In recent months, she has led opposition in the senate to President Menuhaeo's stimulus package, and opposed several of the president's cabinet nominees, most notably Neal Neeley, whom the president nominated to head the Department of Environmental Affairs. Neeley failed confirmation by a vote of 42-48.

Still, Pietrasaelis is a hero in the national Conservative party. She's also hailed by the more traditional wing of the party, particularly for her conservative stance on social issues, her support for the military, and her opposition to increasing taxes. It's likely she will receive significant financial support from out-of-state groups who support her positions.

Sen. Kit McHenry (C-VER), who is the chairwoman of the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee (CSCC), acknowledged that "some Conservative senators may have a tough time getting re-elected in 2010."

"I think it's clear Nadine is facing a strong challenege from the left," McHenry said. "They really want to pick her off. But we're going to make sure it won't be easy for them. We're going to give Nadine everything she needs to make sure she returns to the senate in 2010."

And Pietrasaelis may need quite a bit of extra help. Her latest campaign finance report with the Elections Oversight Bureau showed the senator had $980,000 in the bank, and had only raised $140,000 since January 1st. Dowd, in contrast, reported raising $340,000 since she declared her candidacy on April 28th. She has also loaned her campaign $220,000, giving her a total of $560,000 in cash-on-hand.

Neither candidate would comment on the polls, but a spokeswoman for the Nationalist Senate Campaign Organization (NSCO), the NAT equivalent to the CSCC, said the NSCO will "do everything [we] can" to help Rep. Dowd win in 2010.