A Nebraska commission designed to fight discrimination has decided to delay legal action to force the state attorney general to prosecute its cases

The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission is trying to win back federal funding. The money stopped in April, in part because of Attorney General Jon Bruning's refusal to prosecute a case on behalf of two illegal immigrants.

Commissioners set a timetable Friday for the NEOC and the attorney general to send a proposed agreement to HUD officials.

Most of the commission's cases don't involve illegal immigrants.

The executive director of a Nebraska commission designed to fight discrimination says the agency has lost $96,000 in funding already because of an argument over whether or not the attorney general has to prosecute cases.

Anne Hobbs says the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission stands to lose hundreds of thousands more if an agreement isn't reached quickly.

But commission members delayed seeking legal action today, saying they want to try once more to forge an agreement with Attorney General Jon Bruning.

If HUD doesn't accept the agreement, commissioners will vote next week on whether to get their own lawyer. Bruning says he won't approve that.

Chief Deputy Attorney General Dave Cookson says if an individual wants to sue, they could, but the commission can't.

Commission Chairman Arnold Nesbitt says he might do so, or find someone else who can.