Opinion

This week, as the nation listened and watched, President Biden gave the second State of the Union address of his presidency. Over the last year the American people have struggled under historic inflation, rising crime rates, and severe economic uncertainty.

Families, schools, and teachers do a lot to support Nebraska kids, but sometimes they need more. That is where mentors fill the gap.

“They’re trying to build a prison They’re trying to build a prison For you and me to live in Another prison system Another prison system For you and me.” --The Prison Song by System of a Down (2001) To the surprise of none and the consternation of many, me included, a new report says that before 2030, Nebraska will need another 1,500 prison beds, even after building a $350-million, 1,500bed replacement for the aging State Penitentiary in Lincoln. We have been expecting the Facility Master Plan for the Nebraska Department of Corrections to side with the staunch law and order advocates who think it best to just “lock ‘em up.” The ringer is the report says after the new prison is open, the state will be short about 1,300 prison beds, given the expected growth in state inmates.

I am always working to ensure that federal policies make sense for communities in Nebraska.

nOte frOm d.C . This month marks the beginning of the 118th Congress, a fresh opportunity for the U.S.

Many people touted this year’s legislative session as a Republican dominated conservative body that could easily work with the Republican administration to get things done. They reasoned that 32 Republicans in the officially nonpartisan body would win out over the 17 Democrats.

Halsey by testifying Senator Jacobson introduced LB 281. It will rebuild the 4-H camp lost in the Halsey forest fire this past summer.

W One month into the 118th Congress, we are forging ahead with our Commitment to America. In order to restore a strong American economy, we are working to exercise oversight over reckless federal spending and the failed White House policies that have hamstrung recovery from the COVID- 19 pandemic, leading to the severe inflation and large-scale layoffs we’ve seen throughout the first 23 months of the Biden presidency.

g OVernOr by Jim Pillen Every Nebraska kid should be given the opportunity to have their educational needs met, whether they live in Omaha or Scottsbluff. Every parent regardless of socioeconomic status should have the ability to decide what is the best school to meet their child’s need.

W Students are a large part of why I’m so optimistic about the future of our great country. In recent years they’ve faced unprecedented challenges as COVID-19 disrupted traditional classroom settings.