Opinion

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan’s LB364 was debated. It is a bill that would create tax credit scholarships for poor children whose parents want a chance to send their child to a private school. It was filibustered for a full eight hours and the cloture vote was taken. It fell five votes short of the 33 votes needed. Sen. Linehan joined the legislature the same time I did. This was the sixth time she has introduced this bill and it has died in committee or from a filibuster every time. I am confident she will continue to introduce it. Nebraska continues to be one of two states that have no form of school choice. (aka, parents deciding how their tax dollars will be spent for their child’s education.)

I always look forward to reconnecting at Christmas with family and friends in one of America’s most beautiful places – the Nebraska panhandle. Although 2021 has ended, many of the same challenges Democrats failed to address last year as they pursued their extreme economic and social agendas await when the House reconvenes next week.

Amid continuing Capitol remodeling and a lingering Covid-19 pandemic, lawmakers have returned to Lincoln for the Second Session of the 107th Legislature. The so-called short session (60 days) will be long on workload, political intrigue and philosophical debate.

As we enter a new year, we face new opportunities to strengthen Nebraska. Our state will soon convene for the second session of the 107th Nebraska Legislature. I look forward to the robust debate that will fill the halls of the Capitol over the next few months as Nebraska’s senators work to deliver results for the men and women who voted them into office. These senators come from districts with diverse perspectives, and the legislation they introduce will reflect those differences. However, there are key directives that most Nebraskans back.

Laura Lambrecht never expected to lose her father, Mark, in the way she did two years ago. Mark suffered from ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, a devastating nervous system illness that slowly robs patients of their independence and ability to live a normal life. He passed away peacefully at home in January 2020, just a year after his diagnosis.

The second session of the 107th Legislature has convened. Second sessions are short, 60 legislative days. Bills introduced but not passed in the first session carry over into the second session. The current end of the session is scheduled for the 20th of April.

Many Americans have entered this Christmas season weary from another year of unprecedented challenges and increasingly divided communities. Thankfully, the beauty of Christmas comes in its unifying hope for all people.

Governor Pete Ricketts has cautioned state senators to just say “no” to special interest groups who want to tell them how to spend American Rescue Plan Act funds. He has also asked former President Donald Trump not to endorse anyone running for Nebraska Governor in the primary election.

Over the past three years, the Nebraska National Guard has helped Nebraskans through floods, fires, and a global pandemic. Through it all, the Guard has proved time and again how vital they are to the citizens of our state in times of need. As Commander-in-Chief of the Nebraska National Guard, I could not be more proud of these men and women.

I began my career as a soldier by taking an oath to defend the United States Constitution. The Constitution was supposed to set up a government of checks and balances. Those checks and balances are how we protect liberty and prevent government abuse. The Second Amendment is a critical part of our constitutional system.