Opinion

During the month of October, Americans from across the country come together to raise awareness about a disease that will affect one in eight U.S. women at some point in their lives: breast cancer.

The Nebraska Legislature runs on a two-year cycle. The first session starts in odd-number years and is generally 90 legislative days long. The second session is generally 60 legislative days and starts in even-numbered years. Right now, senators are preparing for the second session of the 107th Legislature.

Seeing young Nebraskans serving their communities, whether it is through scout troops, churches, community organizations, or just young Nebraskans coming together independently, is inspiring. It shows they understand opportunities to volunteer and serve their community and not have to wait until adulthood. In order to help foster young people’s desire to serve their communities, I offer a number of opportunities to engage with government through my office.

I will admit that the number one billion boggles my mind. That’s 1,000 million, a one followed by nine zeros.

The last 18 months have been a roller coaster for the entire world. While many places have struggled, even in America, Nebraskans have come together to power through the pandemic. Our healthcare professionals have worked with compassion and skill to care for Nebraskans. Communities have supported their local businesses throughout the pandemic. Employers have overcome market disruptions to preserve and create jobs. Parents and schools worked to get kids back in the classroom. Our ag producers once again showed that they can be counted on to feed the nation and world. None of this has been easy, but Nebraskans have been up to the challenge.

You have probably heard of the partisan and reckless spending spree congressional Democrats are putting together, and that the final total of the plan will number in the trillions of dollars. But as much as the high price tag is concerning and will hurt Nebraska families, I also want to share with you some of the specifics of what’s actually in this measure.

Back in March, Governor Ricketts issued a statement opposing “vaccine passports.” He said “This concept violates two central tenets of the American system: freedom of movement and healthcare privacy.” I couldn’t agree more. Whether or not someone has taken any medication is absolutely none of the government’s business. Government policies that force people to be injected with drugs they don’t want, is flat wrong.

Last week while appearing at a hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee, President Biden’s Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claimed, “the border is secure.” Anyone who has read a newspaper or watched a newscast could tell you it isn’t, yet the Biden Administration insists it is. Enough is enough; they cannot ignore the border crisis.

Nebraskans continue to tell me their top priority is relief from local government property taxes. Since taking office, addressing this issue has been my number one priority. This budget cycle—thanks to the support of farmers, ranchers, homeowners, and small businesses—we will deliver historic amounts of property tax relief.

A panel of Nebraska lawmakers wants to tackle changes to the state’s tax system next year. Normally I would pooh-pooh such an idea in an election year.