Opinion

Russia’s attack on Ukraine is an assault on freedom everywhere. As leader of the free world, the United States must issue a strong response that will isolate Russia – and the world must follow suit.

On Thursday, February 24, the world awoke to news that Russia had invaded Ukraine. Vladimir Putin launched attacks from land, air, and sea. By the next day, Russian forces had reached the outskirts of the capital city of Kyiv, where fierce fighting and heroic Ukrainian resistance continues against all odds.

Coal-burning power plants are very important to Nebraska. Coal-fired power is the engine of our economy in Nebraska, powering industry and creating good paying jobs in our state. During extreme weather, coal has literally saved lives. Time and time again, coal-fired power plants have kept the lights on when other forms of energy could not. I am very concerned about the plans public power organizations have to “de-carbonize” our electricity generation in Nebraska. We simply cannot ignore the fact that Nebraskans will continue to rely on coal. Wind and solar energy cannot replace coal.

This week Russia escalated their ongoing attacks on Ukraine with an invasion. I support Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty against Vladimir Putin’s evil and reprehensible invasion, and I stand with Ukrainians in solidarity.

The Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee held a rare closed-door executive session that was, according to two members, unnecessary. In an age of clamoring for accountability and transparency, the committee’s move to discuss behind closed doors the legal issues related to Gov.

Nebraskans know every drop of water is precious. Agriculture is our top industry. It makes up 20 percent of our economy, and it generates one in four jobs in our state. Access to water makes this possible. We have the most irrigated acres of cropland in the country. Three of eight acres of farmland in Nebraska are irrigated.

The Biden administration has never wanted to admit that what is going on at our southern border is a crisis. But what else would you call a situation where illegal crossings are at an all-time high, dangerous drugs are pouring into our country, and the men and women charged with protecting the border aren’t given the resources they need to do their jobs?

LB906 is a bill introduced by Senator Ben Hansen. It was presented to the Governor for his signature. It passed on a vote of 37 yes, five no, five present not voting and two senators excused. LB 906 requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to develop a vaccine exemption form for Nebraska citizens who are employees of a private company. The new law allows employees to claim an exemption based on his or her strong moral, ethical, or philosophical beliefs or convictions. If the employer requires employees to be vaccinated, the employer must also allow for an employee to receive an exemption to vaccination. The employer may also require the employee to be periodically tested and wear or use personal protective equipment, at the employers expense.

Dear Editor, We are informing you of important legislation that will significantly expand funding UNMC’s educational programs in Kearney (UNK). The hearings on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) were heard in committee last week, including a proposal for funding UNMC’s educational programs in Kearney (LB721).

According to the National Association of Manufacturers, the average U.S. firm spends the equivalent of 21 percent of its payroll every year just to comply with government regulations. For context, the average manufacturing worker in the United States makes nearly $65,000 per year according to the U.S. Census Bureau and pays an estimated 15.2 percent of their income back out in federal, state, and local taxes. If Congress attempted to double taxes on working families, it would be front page news. Yet, every year regulations silently reduce employer payrolls by even more, and nothing is said about the cost to workers and small businesses.