Throughout America’s history, trade has been a fundamental driver of our nation’s growth. Open access to international trade allows a wide variety of goods to freely move from our country to markets around the world. Trade has not only been an important part of growing America, but Nebraska as well. It’s been a proven economic good for our state. As my administration has worked to grow our state, my team has partnered with business leaders and ag producers to build on the international... read more
Weekly Columns
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International Partnerships are Growing Nebraska
September 19, 2017 -
Growing Nebraska through Trade with Japan
September 11, 2017Nebraska and Japan share a special relationship. Japan is not only our state’s largest direct foreign investor, but also our third largest export market. This week I will be leaving Nebraska and traveling to Japan on a mission to expand trade. This mission will be a great opportunity to expand trade opportunities with Japan and to make the case for additional investments to grow our state.
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Growing Nebraska Through Workforce Innovation
September 05, 2017Nebraska’s talented workforce and great job opportunities are two pillars which have helped make our state the best place in the world to live, work, and raise a family. While Nebraska has boasted low unemployment relative to other states in recent years, our state hit a new landmark this summer. In July, Nebraska posted its lowest unemployment rate since 2000 at 2.8 percent, the fourth best unemployment rate in the nation.
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Celebrating Nebraska at the State Fair
August 28, 2017It’s fair season in Nebraska, which means it’s time to highlight the best the Good Life has to offer in agriculture, 4-H and FFA competitions, tasty foods, interesting exhibits, thrilling rides, and exciting entertainment. The county fairs held around Nebraska have already brought communities together at the local level, and now it’s time for the premiere event: the Nebraska State Fair!
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Rolling Back Harmful Red Tape
August 21, 2017Red tape kills jobs. It stifles innovation. And it prohibits growth. That’s why my administration’s mission is to make state government more effective, more efficient, and more customer-focused. Over the past two and a half years, we’ve successfully put environmental quality permitting online. We’re helping nurses get licensed more quickly. And the Legislature and I partnered to abolish unnecessary professional licensing requirements for the banking, medical, and auto industries to... read more
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Value-Added Investments Grow Agriculture
August 14, 2017Investments in the area of value-added agriculture are helping to grow our state’s number one industry. Many people think of traditional row crops when they think of agriculture, however, modern-day technology and innovations are helping the industry add value to Nebraska’s traditional commodities. This is great news for all Nebraskans because it’s attracting new investments, creating jobs, and increasing local demand for raw commodities across our state. Highly-respected national and... read more
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Growing Trade with Canada
August 07, 2017This week, I am leading a trade mission to Canada. The importance of Canada as a trading partner that is helping grow Nebraska cannot be understated. Canada is Nebraska’s largest export market and fourth largest agriculture export market. In 2016, total agricultural exports from Nebraska to Canada equaled an estimated $468 million out of a total agriculture export value of $5.4 billion. In addition to our important trade relationship, Nebraska and Canada are both celebrating our 150... read more
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Preparing for the Great American Eclipse
August 01, 2017In a few short weeks, thousands of visitors from across the country will flock to the Good Life to witness a once in a generation event. With some of the best viewing locations in the country, Nebraska is a prime destination for hundreds of thousands of people expected to converge here to watch the Great American Eclipse on August 21, 2017. There is extraordinary interest in the event since it is the first solar eclipse visible in the continental United States since 1979!
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Business Principles Improving Health Services
July 25, 2017Just over one year ago, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) CEO Courtney Phillips and I launched the first-ever DHHS Business Plan. It included 25 initiatives aimed at integrating services, promoting independence, focusing on prevention, leveraging technology, and increasing operational efficiencies. DHHS touches the lives of countless Nebraskans every day as they serve some of our most vulnerable citizens. This plan promised better services and efficiencies through strategic... read more
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Building Financial Stability for Nebraska Families
July 18, 2017In recent columns, I’ve been putting the focus on trade and business recruitment as a part of my grow Nebraska agenda. While these are both important, workforce development is another key to achieving this goal. Connecting Nebraskans to great opportunities helps build greater financial stability and ensures Nebraska remains the best place in the world to live, work, and raise a family. The frontline of growing our state starts with Nebraskans finding good-paying jobs to support themselves... read more
