Opinions

Governor Jim Pillen’s year-end address offered a window into his administration’s priorities. Among the policies highlighted was LB 1092, a law requiring age verification for accessing adult websites. The Governor hailed this as a victory for protecting children and safeguarding Nebraska’s values. On the surface, it’s hard to argue against protecting kids, but beneath the surface, questions linger.

Embracing Small Changes for Big Impact in 2025 As we navigate the new year and embark on our resolutions, it’s crucial to remember that significant transformations often stem from small, consistent actions. These smaller changes are not only easier to maintain but can also be incredibly impactful. Now is the perfect time to set realistic goals and strive to become the best version of ourselves. These aspirations could encompass various aspects of our lives, such as: ● Health and Wellness: Prioritizing physical activity, nourishing our bodies with wholesome foods, and cultivating mindful practices like meditation or yoga.

As economies grow, so does the need for electrical power. Research shows a 90 percent correlation between the use of electricity in our country and our economic growth. Meanwhile, electrical power is vital to every aspect of modern life in America. Just imagine your world without electricity. Everything comes to a stop and life, as we know it, ceases to exist. It’s a frightening thought!

The curtain is falling on 2024, and what a wild, unpredictable, and at times profoundly beautiful year it has been. If the past 12 months taught me anything, it’s this: life in Merrick County is like that first sip of coffee on a cold morning—comforting, invigorating, and just what you need to face the day, even when things get messy. And like that first sip, it’s something that reminds us why we keep going, even on the hardest days. But we wouldn’t have it any other way.

With the opening of the 2025 session of the Nebraska Legislature only days away on Jan. 8, I have been asked several questions by constituents and members of the media about the upcoming session. In this column I will list some of those questions and my responses.

Life has a way of pushing us into crossroads—moments when we have to decide which path to take. For Central City, the viaduct project has been one of those crossroads for generations. Like many of you, I’ve found myself on both sides of the debate at one point or another. I’ve weighed the impact as a community member who loves this town, as a business owner who understands the challenges this project brings, and as someone who appreciates the history and heart of Central City.

With America’s education system coming under fire at all levels regarding everything from declining academic standards to the indoctrination of woke ideologies by government-sponsored schools, it’s obvious a new direction is needed. Even here in red Nebraska concerns are being expressed about the values embraced by those who teach in our university system.

If I were writing this column 200 years ago, they’d call it a pamphlet and accuse me of inciting the townsfolk with big words and bigger ideas. Today, I just get a byline.

Now that the election has passed, Nebraskans cannot forget about the issues and policies they voted for during election season – especially when it comes to the economy and federal debt. As a member of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, I’ve come to understand the utmost importance of fiscal health and ensuring the legislature produces a balanced budget as required by the state constitution.