Opinion

In March 2020, like so many other businesses across the country, Mac’s Creek Winery in Lexington was forced to shut their tasting room’s doors. But instead of giving up, they began hosting virtual tastings on Facebook Live, inviting people to enjoy their Nebraskamade wines at home.

LB 188 is a bill introduced by Sen. Steve Halloran in the first session of the 107th Legislature. It was referred to the Government, Military and Veteran Affairs Committee which I chair. This bill would prohibit any agent or employee of the State of Nebraska or any political subdivision from participating in the enforcement of any federal directive regarding a firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition that does not exist under Nebraska state law.

As Nebraskans know, I serve on the Ways and Means Committee in the House of Representatives. The Third District is both an economic powerhouse and one of the most rural districts in our country. I initially sought to join the committee to provide a voice for Nebraska on tax and trade issues which are critical to our rural communities. These issues are still front and center now.

We’ve all seen the movie. The jailer falls asleep and the bad guys get his keys and escape, usually in black and white and on horseback.

We’ve come a long way over the last year. Nebraska has managed the coronavirus pandemic without lockdowns, without statewide mandates, and without vaccine passports. We have the thirdlowest fatality rate from COVID-19 in the country. And we’ve fully vaccinated 87.5 percent of our 65+ population.

It was heartbreaking to learn that Corporal Daegan William-Tyeler Page of the United States Marine Corps was among the 13 American servicemembers killed in last month’s terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Last weekend I attended the funeral of one of my uncles, Mr. Pat Strasburger. He was an icon in the Sheridan County Sandhills ranching community. He passed just a few days shy of his 98 birthday. His funeral truly was a “celebration of life.” Imagine all of the things he saw.

On September 11, 2001, the United States of America was changed forever. The world watched and held its breath as terrorists attacked our nation. In New York City, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon, Americans lost their lives at the hands of ruthlessness. While we commemorate that terrible day annually, it is receiving special attention this year, on its 20th anniversary.

You might want to write this on the calendar, I agree with Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts that President Joe Biden’s sweeping new vaccine requirement is overreaching and should be challenged in court.

Agricultural technology has come a long way since farmers used oxen and horse-drawn plows to break the prairie sod. Huge advancements are being made each year in ag tech, and Nebraska’s companies and universities are leading the way. The technologies they’re developing run the gamut from pioneering livestock management techniques, to innovations in the way crops are grown, to advancements in equipment.