Opinion

nOte frOm d.C . Last February, I stopped by a coffee shop in central Nebraska.

In 2023, Nebraska finally joined the 48 other states that empower parents to choose the best education for their children despite their income or ZIP code. I was proud to cosponsor and support LB 753, the Opportunity Scholarships Act, joining with colleagues from across the state to pass a bill that was long overdue. Many of us may disagree on many other issues, but we came together on this.

W Air travel in the United States is on the rise in 2023. According to a survey by Forbes Advisor, 49 percent of Americans plan to travel more in 2023 than they did in 2022.

WashingtOn d.C . There’s an old adage that those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat its mistakes.

If you thought that the mostly one-sided filibuster-driven debate on transgender issues and abortion was the thing that dragged the 2023 Nebraska Legislature to a near standstill, steel yourself for what could lie ahead.

nOte frOm d.C . Earlier this year, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation honored 144 firefighters who passed away in 2021 and 2022.

Over the summer and fall, the committees of the Legislature hold “interim studies.” These are usually held in the capitol. An interim study is introduced by a senator as a resolution.

W As Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine continues, conflict within Russia has recently flared, and threats from rogue nations have escalated, this week House Republicans have focused on delivering on our commitment to a nation that’s safe through the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (FY24 NDAA), Congress’ primary legislative vehicle to authorize defense spending. While there has been encouraging progress in strengthening NATO, the expansion of Russia’s aggression remains a serious threat.

In a rare move, seven months into the Jim Pillen reign, I’m going to suggest we cut the new guy some slack. Seems that a social media tweet raised concerns about First Amendment rights and dredged up the decades-long discussion on brain drain.

From my first campaign speech, I ran as a Second Amendment candidate. It is no secret that winning the fight on Constitutional Carry by passing LB 77 was a major legislative goal of mine for my time as a Nebraska senator.