Opinion

Taking down the Christmas tree is only one task after the holiday season. For those with a real tree, figuring out what to do with it can be as easy as placing it by the curb.

Welcome to 2023, a new year with a whole lotta new going on at the State Capitol. There’s a new governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, auditor and 14 new state senators assuming leadership roles in the Republican dominated Nebraska government.

G OVernOr Last week, we celebrated the arrival of Nebraska’s 2022 Silver Shovel. This prestigious national award recognizes states that have successfully attracted major economic development projects.

This is my last weekly update for 2022. The first session of the 108th Nebraska Legislature will be in session this Wednesday. First sessions are long (90 legislative days). We have a new governor, and attorney general to be sworn in, along with 16 new senators. Quite a few senior legislative staff positions will also see new people assigned to those roles. The learning curve for a lot of senior people will be quite steep.

The holiday season is full of examples of Nebraskans taking the time to help one another. Just think of the bells we hear and the red Salvation Army buckets we see at the entrances of the stores where we run our daily errands.

This Wednesday, an immigration provision called Title 42 could expire. Title 42 is a critical public health order that gives the federal government the ability to immediately expel individuals entering the country illegally.

The first session of the 108th Legislature is going to start in less than a month. Nebraska’s constitution says the legislature “must” do two things. We must meet the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January, and we also must pass a two-year budget in the first session. This year, the people of Nebraska ratified a constitutional amendment on the ballot, so the Legislature has a third compulsory requirement we must pass this session; a law that implements voter ID. We cannot have another election in Nebraska until this law is signed by the Governor.

As I reflect on the last year and anticipate enjoying time with loved ones during the holidays, I’m filled with both gratitude and resolve. As Americans, we have been granted an unrivaled heritage of freedom and prosperity which we now must secure for future generations.

Here we are sandwiched between Christmas and New Year. Time to take stock of what we’ve been through as it impacts what lies ahead.

Christmas is going to look different for many Americans because of ongoing supply chain challenges and soaring inflation. We have seen shortages of items such as appliances, jewelry, electronics, holiday food items such as turkey, and even Christmas lights and trees. Faced with a serious hike in input costs, more than 70 percent of wholesale Christmas tree growers have been forced to increase their prices by up to 15 percent over last year.