On Thursday, January 14th I delivered my annual “State of the State” address to the Nebraska Legislature. Even after back-to-back years of major challenges—historic floods in 2019 and a pandemic in 2020—I am pleased to report that the state of the state is strong. The work of Nebraskans everywhere has helped to meet these challenges with grit, tenacity, and determination.
Weekly Columns
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Moving Forward the Nebraska Way
January 19, 2021 -
Nebraskans Want More Space
January 12, 2021Over the past six weeks, Nebraskans have been rallying to bring U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) to our state. This tremendous support for the military is common practice in our state. Nebraskans honor our servicemen and women, and our residents take great pride in hosting strategic missions that protect our nation.
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Protecting the Right to Life
January 04, 2021The Cornhusker State is the best place in the world to live, work, and raise a family. That’s not just something we say—it’s reflected in national data. On a per capita basis, Nebraska welcomes more babies into the world each year than almost any other state.
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Farewell to 2020
December 29, 2020When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day, many are going to be glad to have 2020 in the history books. It’s not been easy to endure the pandemic, but I’m inspired by the way Nebraskans have pulled together to fight the virus. Even though it’s been a tough year, Nebraskans have shown great resilience as a state, and we’ve made vital contributions to the nation’s response to the global pandemic.
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Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year
December 22, 2020Christmas and New Year’s Day are welcome opportunities to slow down, connect with loved ones, and look forward to 2021. As we approach the year’s end, I am thankful for the many sacrifices Nebraskans have made in 2020. Despite many difficulties, our state’s residents have displayed inspiring strength and compassion during the pandemic.
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Reasons to Hope
December 15, 2020This has been a hard year. We’ve been battling the coronavirus in our state for over nine months. I know many Nebraskans are weary. Folks are tired of the virus’ many negative impacts. They’re burned out from Zoom meetings. They’re tired of being unable to hold traditional gatherings with friends and family. And they’re tired of activities and celebrations being postponed.
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Successfully Slowing the Spread
December 07, 2020Nebraskans are known for common sense, tenacity, and grit. When faced with a major challenge, we don’t panic or abandon core principles and long-standing traditions. Instead, we pull together to do what’s best for our communities. Whether it’s a pandemic or historic flooding, Nebraskans have shown the world that we can overcome incredible challenges.
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Staying Healthy for the Holidays
December 01, 2020There is an old saying, “it’s always darkest before the dawn.” It has two meanings. The first is that, despite difficulties, there is hope on the horizon. The second meaning is that circumstances can be at their very worst right before things get better. As we enter December, there are reasons to hope an effective vaccine will become available soon—on a limited basis even this month. At the same time, we may be entering the toughest stretch of the pandemic this winter as people head ... read more
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Giving Thanks in Adversity
November 23, 2020It’s fitting to set aside time each year to express gratitude to God and to one another for the many blessings we enjoy. In seasons of peace and plenty, as well as in times of war and loss, Americans have faithfully carried on Thanksgiving traditions. During challenging times, it’s even more important to remember the abundant blessings we enjoy as Americans.
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Support Our Healthcare Workers
November 17, 2020Right now, we’re facing one of the biggest challenges our state has ever encountered. In recent weeks, coronavirus hospitalizations have been rapidly rising with many people severely ill and more deaths. There are over four times as many Nebraskans in the hospital with coronavirus now as there were at the beginning of last month. As hospitals fill with coronavirus patients, doctors and nurses are dealing with the heaviest workloads many of them have ever experienced.
