Opinion

From sleepless nights to lastminute diaper runs, everyone knows raising children is full of challenges. Unfortunately, millions of families are having to confront an unexpected source of frustration and anxiety – a nationwide baby formula shortage.

Memorial Day weekend has passed. And this is the day we honor those who died wearing the uniform of our country.

Sacramento, CA (AP) - Ford Motor Company settled claims by 40 U.S. state attorneys general that the company made misleading claims about the fuel economy and payload capacity of some of its vehicles, violating state consumer protection laws.

“How do Democrats get elected in Nebraska? When Republicans are divided.” That’s the opening line of a fund raising letter from Nebraska Republican Party State Chairman Dan Welch. “In fact, disagreements between Republicans helped launch the careers of Bob Kerrey in 1982 and Ben Nelson in 1990.

On Memorial Day, we honored men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in military service to our nation. Time and again throughout our Republic’s history, courageous Americans have ventured into harm’s way to protect the freedoms we hold dear. The liberties we enjoy wouldn’t be possible without their heroism.

“Duty, honor, country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.”

In the six years I have been a Nebraska State Senator, I have never received so many calls and messages from citizens concerned about things that only the federal government can address. I think people go home after work and turn on the news and see yet another example of federal government incompetence causing problems. This upsets them and they want to vent their frustration to an elected official. I’m happy to hear from folks, don’t get me wrong, but it depresses me to have to tell so many people there is nothing the Nebraska legislature can do about it, and the subject is a “federal issue.”

American families across the country are grappling with increasing costs and economic uncertainty. Last week, the Consumer Price Index confirmed costs of household items, energy, and services have risen by more than eight percent, on average, over the last 12 months. Consumers are tightening their budgets, purchasing less, choosing generic groceries more, and often going without. According to an April Morning Consult survey, 61 percent of grocery shoppers said they had difficulty finding certain items.

With the legislative session over and senators back in their districts, the direct influence of two-term Governor Pete Ricketts might seem to have diminished. But he does have about seven months left in office.

The Good Life we all enjoy is made possible by the courageous men and women in blue. After traveling the state for the past 7.5 years as Governor, I know Nebraskans appreciate all that law enforcement does to keep them safe. While other states cut funding for the police, Nebraska is boosting our support for our law enforcement.