Opinion

While visiting Columbus recently, I was asked by a member of the press what was my favorite part of my time in the area. I explained that the truth is visiting with Nebraskans is one of the best parts of my job.

I would like to address a question I get a lot: Why did you go to Ukraine? As most people know I am a retired U.S. Army Colonel with numerous combat deployments over my 36 years of service.

Dear Editor, Reducing the number of people who return to prison is a key goal of any criminal justice system. In Nebraska, more than 70 percent of those discharged in 2019 have not returned to the custody of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) – a significant benchmark.

As a member of the Republican Jobs and the Economy Taskforce, I am committed to promoting America’s economic recovery; however, concerns of a recession continue to mount due to President Biden’s mismanagement of the economy. The June jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the weakest overall job growth since April 2021. This comes at a time when 57 percent of Americans say the actions of the federal government have hurt their family over the last six months, according to a recent Monmouth University Poll. This number is the highest Monmouth has ever recorded and overshadows the number of Americans saying federal actions over the same period have helped them, at eight percent.

Today’s letter is R. R as in Republican, Red State and Ricketts.

In Nebraska, we’ve endured more than our fair share of adversity over the past 3+ years. The floods of March 2019 were the most widespread natural disaster in state history. Then, the coronavirus struck our state in March 2020 and continued upending lives throughout 2021. This spring, our state experienced the worst wildfires of the past decade. Meanwhile, families are dealing with the financial pressures of the highest inflation in 40+ years.

If you’re familiar with the cattle industry, you are probably aware that cattle producers are receiving a falling share of the beef dollar. At the start of the pandemic demand for beef was through the roof, forcing consumers to pay higher prices for steaks and other products. Many family ranchers understand ably expected that to lead to a long-overdue profit increase for their operations.

I have been on the ground in Ukraine for almost a month. The things I have seen and the things I have been told by scores of soldiers and government officials in the cities and towns I visit would fill a book. It’s hard to know where to begin because I try to keep this weekly update to about 500 words. In this installment I will try to describe some history behind this war.

As our nation celebrated Independence Day, the grocery bill for cookouts and picnics is hitting the budgets of American families harder this year. The American Farm Bureau Federation calculated U.S. consumers are paying 17 percent more for standard Fourth of July fixings than last year. Fur thermore, soaring gas prices are limiting summer vacation plans and travel. It’s not just holiday expenses: American families are feeling the pain caused by the Biden administra tion’s failed policies every single day. Costs are up across the board. We need a comprehensive plan to lower costs for families, maximize our domestic resources, and combat a looming recession.

The special election to replace former First District Congressman Jeff Fortenberry was the first in Nebraska in 71 years. State Senator Mike Flood, of Norfolk, was elected to replace Fortenberry who was sentenced, the same day, to two years probation, a $25,000 fine, and 320 hours of community service after being found guilty of lying to the FBI about receiving campaign contributions from a foreigner.