Opinion

The holiday season is full of examples of Nebraskans taking the time to help one another. Just think of the bells we hear and the red Salvation Army buckets we see at the entrances of the stores where we run our daily errands.

This Wednesday, an immigration provision called Title 42 could expire. Title 42 is a critical public health order that gives the federal government the ability to immediately expel individuals entering the country illegally.

The first session of the 108th Legislature is going to start in less than a month. Nebraska’s constitution says the legislature “must” do two things. We must meet the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January, and we also must pass a two-year budget in the first session. This year, the people of Nebraska ratified a constitutional amendment on the ballot, so the Legislature has a third compulsory requirement we must pass this session; a law that implements voter ID. We cannot have another election in Nebraska until this law is signed by the Governor.

As I reflect on the last year and anticipate enjoying time with loved ones during the holidays, I’m filled with both gratitude and resolve. As Americans, we have been granted an unrivaled heritage of freedom and prosperity which we now must secure for future generations.

Here we are sandwiched between Christmas and New Year. Time to take stock of what we’ve been through as it impacts what lies ahead.

Christmas is going to look different for many Americans because of ongoing supply chain challenges and soaring inflation. We have seen shortages of items such as appliances, jewelry, electronics, holiday food items such as turkey, and even Christmas lights and trees. Faced with a serious hike in input costs, more than 70 percent of wholesale Christmas tree growers have been forced to increase their prices by up to 15 percent over last year.

I gathered with state and local officials to celebrate the opening of the Lincoln South Beltway. This 11-mile, four lane freeway connects U.S. Highway 77 to the Nebraska Highway (N-2). It’s expected to divert over 75 percent of the truck traffic to the new high-speed facility, saving significant travel time and bringing much needed relief to a congested thoroughfare through the city of Lincoln. This project will also improve safety and regional connectivity. Whether driving their kids to school, commuting to work, or delivering essential goods through our region, all of Nebraska will benefit from this 21st century infrastructure. Its opening was a priority for my administration, and I am happy to say that we have delivered on this monumental milestone that has been decades in the making. It is the most complex project in Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) history.

As the holiday season marches on, Christmas is now nearly upon us. From the Pine Ridge through the Sandhills, we have been slammed by severe drought for most of the year. Now we have gotten a whole lot of moisture all at once and in solid form. The holiday spirit has been evident in District 43 as neighbors help neighbors dig out, tend to livestock, and cope with the mess dealt out by this Nebraska holiday weather. As water-starved as we have been, I know a lot of us are grateful for the trouble. Please pray for all those who are trying to get feed to their livestock and for those who have lost electricity.

Last Friday, I attended the change of command ceremony at U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base.

There’s an acronym that has been stirring things up in government for the last 30-plus years. It’s called TEEOSA and the mere mention of its name sends senators to consult with staff, lobbyists to check their wallets and school administrators to check with their budget gurus.