Weekly Columns

It has often been said that it is helpful to understand history to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.  This year, State Senators have proposed initiatives aimed at achieving property tax relief.  Many of these ideas have been tried before in Nebraska’s decades-long pursuit of property tax relief.  As the Legislature works to address the state’s high property taxes, it is important to keep in mind the history behind attempts to relieve property taxes, and what has worked and what has ... read more

Last week, former Husker Football Coach Tom Osborne and several Nebraskans visited the State Capitol to issue a warning to state lawmakers ahead of a hearing on LB 110, a proposal to legalize marijuana in Nebraska.  They are right to be concerned about the consequences of legalizing marijuana.  The impact in other states has been significant.  Every two and a half days in Colorado, someone dies in a marijuana-related car accident, and every one in six kids who was hospitalized for a ... read more

Last week, I delivered my Second Inaugural Address as the 2019 legislative session kicked off.  During the address, I outlined my vision to grow Nebraska over the next four years.  The four pillars of that vision build upon work we have accomplished over the last few years: connecting Nebraskans to great-paying jobs; cutting red tape and improving services; controlling spending and cutting taxes; and promoting Nebraska.

As we close out 2018 and enter 2019, many of us are turning our minds to the future.  Some are setting new financial or fitness goals.  For others, they may be resolving to spend more time with family or to read new books.  As we enter the new year, I have put together a list of goals for our state in 2019.  I am sharing a few of them here.