Opinion

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.

Spring is right around the corner. The Nebraska statewide primary election is May 10.

What should happen with extra tax revenues? That’s the main question being debated this session by state senators. For me, the answer is obvious. The money should be given back to the hardworking Nebraskans who paid those taxes in the first place.

I have always believed that strong families form the foundation of strong communities. Through my work in the Unicameral and now in the U.S. Senate, I have worked for state and national policies that set families up for success.

LB777 is a bill I introduced this session. The purpose of the bill is to create a video archive of all legislative sessions and all hearings in the various committees. Fortysix states currently have a form of this capability for their citizens. I think it is high time for Nebraska to join this list.

Last week, for the first time in history, our national debt exceeded $30 trillion. For far too long members of both parties have put off the tough decisions needed to get our country’s fiscal house in order, passing the buck to future generations. Un fortunately, my Democrat colleagues would still rather raise taxes and continue their reckless spending sprees than curb their spending addiction. Raising taxes is not the answer because we do not have a revenue problem in this country – we have a spending problem. In fact, every year since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – tax reform President Trump signed into law – was enacted, revenue has increased.

If lawmakers want to change the Nebraska Constitution, they submit a proposed amendment to their colleagues, which, if approved, is placed on the next general election ballot for voters to decide. There’s a number of those measures up for grabs this year and at least one which is a great idea with a couple of clunkers thrown in.

Don’t let Nebraska’s location in the middle of America fool you. Our state touches every corner of the globe with the crops we grow, livestock we raise, and products we manufacture. Each year, Nebraska exports around $10 billion of goods and services worldwide. Over 95 percent of consumers live outside of our borders. To grow Nebraska, we must continue to proactively reach out to international partners and share all the Good Life has to offer.

The 2022 Winter Olympics are finally underway. Each of the American athletes competing this year is the best in their event. Many have dedicated their entire lives to their sports, hoping to one day have this chance to represent the United States in the Olympic Games.

LB 986 is a bill introduced by Sen. Briese. It would limit how much a school district could raise property taxes from one year to the next to the greater of 2.5 percent or the consumer price index (inflation). It has provisions to exempt rapidly growing schools from this limitation. Sen. Briese has introduced similar bills every session we have been here together. It needed 33 votes. It received 28. Twenty-one senators voted against it.