Agriculture is Nebraska’s number one industry, and every day it’s helping to grow our state. Over the years, our farmers and ranchers and ag equipment manufacturers have grown food and created equipment that is helping feed the world. In more recent years, biotechnology, biofuels, and other value-added ag operations have also helped to grow the industry, and keep Nebraska on the forefront of ag innovation and production. The last two weeks, Nebraska has received a lot of very exciting... read more
Weekly Columns
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Growing Agriculture
June 19, 2017 -
Infrastructure to Grow Nebraska
June 13, 2017Infrastructure provides the framework that helps bring communities together and grow our state. Over the years, Nebraska has invested in quality infrastructure, earning us high marks nationally. For example, the Reason Foundation rates our highway system fourth in the nation for performance and cost-effectiveness. During my first two and a half years in office, my team has worked to maintain and invest in our quality infrastructure across the state. Whether it’s accelerated completion of... read more
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Effective Government to Grow Nebraska
June 05, 2017You’ll often hear me say that the vision for my administration is to grow Nebraska. While private sector job creators are the economic engine of Nebraska, state government helps provide the framework and infrastructure that can either support or hinder growth. Over the past two years, my team has worked to make state government more effective, more efficient, and more customer-focused to help grow Nebraska. Whether it’s launching our first-in-the-nation reemployment program or putting... read more
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Growing Nebraska
May 26, 2017Growing Nebraska is our vision for our state. Whether it’s new jobs, educational opportunities, or regulatory reform, every initiative from my administration is focused on growth. The work we do at the state supports the work of the job creators in the private sector. We work to create a business-friendly climate that supports the job creators who are the economic engine of Nebraska.
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Session Concludes
May 23, 2017Only a few months ago, I stood before the Legislature to deliver my State of the State address to lay out my legislative agenda for the year. On Tuesday, the 2017 legislative session concluded. Despite a challenging fiscal landscape, senators and I found a way to come together this year on important issues to accomplish what was required for our people and our state. Together, we worked to strengthen our communities, expand job opportunities, reduce the size of state government, and put... read more
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Protecting the Taxpayer
May 16, 2017For many months, Nebraska has experienced declining tax revenues. Since last year, I have been working to constrain spending in my agencies in preparation for budget cuts. In the first part of this year, the Legislature and I worked together to make cuts for the current fiscal year
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Budget Games
May 09, 2017The State of Nebraska has seen declining revenues over the past year. This reality has made balancing the state budget without increasing taxes my number one priority during this legislative session. To achieve this, I have been working to constrain spending since last summer and into this year.
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Expanding Educational Opportunity
May 02, 2017George Washington Carver famously said that “education is the key to unlock the golden door to freedom.” America has exemplified that truth with countless examples of individuals who have improved their position in life through education. Access to education is the foundation of the American dream. And the foundation to education and educational achievement is basic literacy.
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Reforming Ag Property Taxes
April 25, 2017Discussion on tax reform is underway in the Legislature. Last week, senators started debate on LB461, the 2017 Nebraska Taxpayer Reform Act. The discussion on the floor was thoughtful with many senators voicing support for dealing with Nebraska’s high tax problem. This bill would make the most significant changes to our state’s property and income tax system in a generation by changing how we value ag land for taxation purposes and cutting income taxes for working families and Main Street... read more
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Tax Reform in 2017
April 18, 2017Tax reform is a key component to Grow Nebraska. It allows working families to keep more of the money they earn. When companies consider their options to expand, headquarter, or relocate, the tax climate is one of the first things they consider. Additionally, it can help grow our largest industries like agriculture and manufacturing.
