Tariffs, low crop prices impacting economy in the wrong way

Driving down the road the other day, I was startled to hear one of our congressional representatives tell NPR that both Nebraska and Iowa were experiencing “basically a recession economy.”Both states have agriculturebased economies, for the most part, and rely on foreign trade.

A new ballroom, Air Force One and billions for ICE are a waste

Forgive me if I’m feeling a little confused (regular readers of this column will probably say “what’s new?”) but aren’t we in a national debt crisis?Our national debt has ballooned to nearly $37 trillion dollars in recent years, thanks in large part to spending during the COVID-19 pandemic to...

Changes in broadband program have rural advocates fretting

Anymore, having high-speed internet at your home, farm or business has become as important as having electricity.You run a business and have a website? You need high-speed internet.You use precision ag?

Immigration raids sweep up people who just want to work

These days, besides seeing American bombers attacking Iran, we’re confronted with almost daily news about immigration raids and with court rulings about what ICE can, and cannot, do.We’ve been treated to the arrest of man whose three sons are U.S. Marines, and of sobbing mothers, wondering who will...

One old soldier isn't fading away, still trying to help freedom fighters in Ukraine

“Old soldiers don’t die, they just fade away.”Gen. Douglas MacArthur, a World War II hero, used that phrase in his farewell address to the U.S. Congress more than 70 years ago.But the comment doesn’t come within a country mile of describing one, old Nebraska soldier.Tom Brewer, a native of Gordon...

State’s legal minds raise concern about attacks on ‘rule of law’

A rarely discussed legal term is getting its day in the sun.“The rule of law” is the crazy idea that everyone in a democracy is accountable to the same laws and that everyone is entitled to their day in court (and to be represented by an attorney).The legal term took top billing in a recent episode...

Auditor says corporate tax breaks are putting a drain on state budgets

LINCOLN — When it comes to the whys and hows of state tax policy, it’s hard to beat public hearings of the Revenue Committee at the Nebraska Legislature.There’s a fascinating mix of folks testifying, from darksuited corporate lawyers and accountants asking for tax cuts, to blue jean-wearing farmers...

Trade war would bring more pain to state’s farmers

Even in the best of times, farming is a precarious enterprise.There’s drought, floods, hail, wind storms and pests of all kinds to deal with.The cost of fertilizers and pesticides always seems to be on the rise, equipment always seems to break down at the worst moment, and now, prices paid for the...

No STARWARS for you as big money for nicer lakes may go elsewhere

It’s daylight savings time, so let’s turn back the clock … to four years ago when the state was still contending with the COVID-19 pandemic.There was a silver lining of sorts to those awful days – a huge influx of federal funds to keep the economy going.And state senators met on how to spend that...

Merging agencies always sounds good, give the illusion of progress

As a young reporter, I got the opportunity to cover, and learn a few things, from maybe the greatest state senator ever, Jerome Warner.He was the kind of state senator who just commanded respect, and unlike some politicians, had a well-formed group of beliefs that guided his decision making.For...