Opinion

LINCOLN--The 109th Nebraska Legislature convened last week for the first days of the 2025 session to swear in newly elected state senators, elect committee chairmen and begin bill introductions. The Legislature began the first day of its 90-day session Wednesday, January 8, and swore in 25 senators, including six re-elected members and 19 new members.

Happy New Year to the 43rd Legislative District! This is the last weekly article that I will write as a Nebraska State Senator. Being your State Senator has been the greatest honor of my life.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) was sworn in for her third term in the U.S. Senate. Senator Fischer was escorted by Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), while Vice President Kamala Harris administered the oath of office.

nOte frOm d.C . I’m humbled and honored to have the opportunity to continue serving Nebraskans in the U.S.

W A new year brings a valuable chance to reflect on the accomplishments of the previous year and prepare for the opportunities ahead in the next. This week, it was especially meaningful to have my two young children with me as I was sworn in to serve Nebraska’s Third District as a member of the House of Representatives in the 119th Congress.

Years ago, I had the pleasure of covering the dedication of a new, $17-million bridge spanning the Missouri River east of Niobrara. The bridge was named after Chief Standing Bear, whose people, the Poncas, once ruled over that area of northeast Nebraska.

WChristmas is a time for counting our blessings. As we near the end of 2024, I am so grateful for the freedoms we enjoy in the United States, and my precious wife and children.

by Senator Tom Brewer Under the category of the unfinished business of termed-out senators, I wanted to offer some coaching to the new freshman class of Senators. In your first session, I would introduce five bills and I would make sure they went to five different committees.

Now that Gov. Jim Pillen appears to be on the road to recovery after a wild ride aboard a bucking bronco, his next rodeo act will be roping up enough votes to lower property taxes, cut government spending and return Nebraska to a “winner-take-all” system of doling out the state’s electoral college votes.

In 1916, Omaha native Jarvis Offutt entered officer training at Fort Snelling, MN.