Newsletter

Continuing the fight for the Nebraska Cattle Industry

Our constitutional freedoms depend on more than the laws we pass. They depend on the judicial system that applies those laws fairly, protects individual rights, and ensures every Nebraskan receives due process under the law. The Nebraska Supreme Court’s recent summer tour through north-central Nebraska provided an opportunity to recognize the people who keep justice accessible in our rural communities. From August 10–12, Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke and members of the Supreme

Nebraska is heading toward another difficult budget conversation this session. When the cost of government rises faster than state revenues, there are only a few choices: spend less, raise taxes, or grow the economy enough that existing tax rates can support the services Nebraskans expect. Responsible budgeting requires spending discipline. But in the long term, we can neither cut our way nor tax our way to prosperity. Economic growth has to be part of the answer, based on t

Sometimes the most memorable adventures in life begin by taking the road less traveled and, in the words of my beloved grandmother, taking time to “stop and smell the roses.” That's part of what makes the Nebraska Passport program so beneficial. It gives us a reason to take the scenic route, explore communities across our state, support local businesses, and discover places we might otherwise miss. This year, seven of the 70 stops on the 2026 Nebraska Passport are located rig

It seems like a lifetime ago, when COVID turned our lives upside down, yet the consequences for many remain very real. While the shutdowns in much of rural Nebraska may not have been as severe as those experienced in our larger cities, our lives were still changed in ways we never imagined. Schools closed or were disrupted, weddings and funerals were canceled, businesses struggled, churches wrestled with how to continue serving their congregations, and families found themselv

Extremes seem to be something Nebraska’s weather and politics have in common lately. In both cases, the results are rarely positive. Nebraska entered 2026 with much of the state receiving roughly half its normal moisture. Those dry conditions contributed to a devastating fire season that burned nearly one million acres. June brought welcome rain, but it came too late for much of the spring forage to recover. By July, record heat and persistent winds have quickly robbed that m

There are certain moments in life that are difficult to put into words. For me, simply pulling into the National High School Finals Rodeo is one of them. The excitement is unlike anything else. Seeing hundreds of trailers, horses being unloaded, families greeting old friends, and young competitors preparing for the biggest week of their high school rodeo careers creates an atmosphere that is hard to describe. It is a feeling of anticipation, excitement, and pride that never g

Summer is flying by, and it can be so easy to become consumed by busy schedules, deadlines, and the constant responsibilities competing for our attention that we miss the opportunities to enjoy the “good life.” Summer in Nebraska offers many opportunities to step back and reconnect with the people and traditions that matter most. Some of my favorite memories as both a kid and a parent involved 4-H, and with county fairs well underway, I am reminded of those values. Fair time

As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this Fourth of July, let's take this opportunity to reflect on the principles that shaped our nation and the responsibility we all share in preserving them. The founding of our country was built on constitutional government, the rule of law, and individual liberty. Our Founding Fathers understood that government exists to serve the people primarily by protecting their individual rights; rights endowed by our Creator, not the governm

Nebraska’s property tax debate is often framed as a simple question: Are property taxes too high? For most Nebraskans, especially in rural communities, the answer is yes. Property taxes are one of the greatest financial pressures facing homeowners, farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and retirees on fixed incomes. People are not asking for luxury. They are asking for breathing room. But the debate is not over whether property taxes should be reduced. The real challenge is ho

As Nebraskans travel across the state this summer, many have likely encountered petition circulators gathering signatures for various proposed ballot measures for the November election. One of those efforts is the Fairness for Girls constitutional amendment initiative. The proposed amendment would add language to the Nebraska Constitution establishing protections for sex-separated athletics. It would limit participation on female-designated athletic teams and programs to biol

One of the concerns I hear often from families across rural Nebraska is the challenge of finding quality care for aging loved ones close to home. When a parent or grandparent begins experiencing memory loss or requires additional assistance, families want options that allow them to remain near their community, church, friends, and support network. In many rural areas, however, those options can be limited. In an effort to strengthen access to care in local communities I intro

As valuation notices arrive in mailboxes across Nebraska, many property owners are asking the same question: If my valuation increased, does that mean my property taxes will increase as well? The answer is, no, not necessarily. Your property tax bill is based on two things: the assessed value of your property times the tax rate, or levy, which is set by locally elected taxing authorities. Understanding how those two factors work together can help make sense of both your valua

Following up on the discussion of the power and responsibility that comes with casting a ballot, this week I want to address one of the more debated issues of this legislative session: Nebraska’s new minimum wage law and the passage of LB258. LB258 was a bill created to provide practical, real-world guidelines for implementing Ballot Initiative 433, which was approved by voters in 2022. Initiative 433 mandated an increase in the state's minimum wage to $15 per hour starting J

Nebraska is finally beginning to receive some long-awaited moisture, providing some relief to dry pastures and fields. While this is good news, these rains do not necessarily signal the end of the state's drought. Recent updates show that drought conditions remain severe across much of the state. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows that over 90 percent of the state is in drought, with increasing portions of Nebraska in severe, extreme, and exceptional drought. The worst con

For too long, victims of child sexual abuse have faced persistent harm as their worst moments are viewed, shared, and monetized online, often without a meaningful way to force content removal. Existing criminal law was not always sufficient to hold commercial websites that knowingly profit from this illegal content accountable. I introduced LB978, now law, which passed 39–10 as part of LB965, to close this gap and provide another avenue for justice. This critical legislation

As this week’s election takes place on Tuesday, May 12, it is a good time to pause and reflect on both the privilege and responsibility that come with the right to vote. Whether an election is local, statewide, or national, every ballot cast helps shape the future of our communities and our country. Voter participation often varies from election to election, but the consequences of every race and every ballot measure are real and lasting. From Omaha to Scottsbluff, the decisi

This session, the legislature took a strong stand to protect Nebraska families from the deadliest threats facing our communities. Two critical public safety measures I championed have now become law, delivering real results where it matters most. I was pleased to see my fentanyl sentencing enhancement successfully pass as part of Senator DeKay’s LB 795, with a final vote of 32 to 14. LB 817 aligns the weight-based penalties for fentanyl distributors and traffickers with those

Every Nebraska rancher who has moved a herd of cattle across a public highway understands the momentary confusion that can occur when a vehicle crests the hill, and there's brief uncertainty about what may happen next. We live in a world where common sense is simply not as common and more and more drivers have little to no understanding of cattle. Until now, Nebraska law provided no clarity on the rules of the road regarding livestock; however, that lack of clarity ended on A

The 109th Nebraska Legislature concluded Friday, April 17, with two key outcomes: passing a balanced budget and upholding the Governor’s vetoes. I was able to get 11 bills passed this session including LB 1195, which provides a direct benefit to counties across Nebraska. The bill originated with Custer County Sheriff Dan Osmond, who consulted with other sheriffs and county officials. State statute previously mandated “jail matron” requirements and strict rules for female inma