In Nebraska, we know the importance of good stewardship. Our farmers and ranchers responsibly cultivate the land so future generations of Nebraskans can continue enjoying the Good Life for years to come. It’s why, nearly one hundred years before Earth Day even began, J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day right here in Nebraska City. Our farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists.
One of the most rewarding aspects of serving Nebraska’s Third Congressional District is the opportunities I get to engage with young people interested in government service. This spring, I’ve welcomed students from Bayard, Oakland-Craig, Boone Central, Summerland, and Doniphan-Trumbull schools, as well as Peru State College, to our nation’s capital. Fielding students’ questions is always a pleasure, and I deeply appreciate their thoughtful feedback and ideas about the issues we are working on in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Recently, Nebraska lost a good man too soon. Brad Ashford, a former state senator and U.S.
Skin is the largest organ in the human body, but it’s easy to take it for granted. Unless we notice pain or itching or funny spots, most people don’t give it much thought.
An excellent weekend of four-sport entertainment concluded with the realization that, at least for me, the football offseason is over already. In addition to watching NBA playoff basketball action, Major League Soccer regular season competition and Major League Baseball on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, this sports fan was treated to some tackle football as the USFL (United States Football League) began its first campaign after a near four-decade hiatus.
Presidents, especially those of different parties, have a history of reversing their predecessor’s policies once they are sworn in. This is not unusual. But a president inheriting a policy with bipartisan support that has helped keep America safe for two years, and choosing to reverse it anyway? That is very unusual.
Effective May 1st, 2022, Blue Rivers Public Transit, a division of the Blue Rivers Area Agency on Aging, operating under the guidance of the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), is announcing that they will be increasing the fares for trips within the community to $3 one-way fare and the Inter-City Fare to $12 one-way. This increase will help to offset the increased labor and fuel costs incurred while maintaining the public transit system in our five counties: Thayer, Jefferson, Gage, Nemaha and Otoe.
A couple of weeks ago, I provided an update LB 825, a tax relief bill that failed to get the necessary votes to break a filibuster. This week, the story is quite different. The same $1 billion structural tax relief package (focused on addressing our income, property, and Social Security taxes) passed through the final round of debate this past Thursday!
According to a new Bloomberg Economics analysis, the average American family will spend an additional $5,200 this year because of our record-high inflation rate. Polling data show that a majority of Americans are seriously concerned about inflation, a sign Americans already burdened with higher costs at the grocery store and gas pump are bracing for additional financial pressures. As our nation struggles to overcome the economic damage caused by COVID-19 shutdowns, the unnecessary stimulus bill President Biden signed last year and continued efforts by congressional Democrats to continue the spending spree have deepened our economic troubles.
As we approach the final days of the 2022 legislative session, the Nebraska Unicameral has the opportunity to deliver smart criminal justice reforms that will enhance public safety and benefit all Nebraskans. These changes will allow us to better manage our inmate population and provide modern resources to prepare offenders for life after time served—without compromising public safety.