– Priority Issues –
Nebraska families should keep more of what they earn.
During my first term in the Legislature, tax policy has been one of my primary areas of focus. I helped carry legislation that dramatically reduced Nebraska’s individual income tax rate, worked to put billions of dollars toward property tax relief and public education, and have fought to control the growth of government spending.
But the job isn’t finished.
Property taxes are still too high. Rising valuations shouldn’t give local governments a blank check to spend more. Nebraska also must remain competitive with our neighboring states on income taxes if we want our children and grandchildren to build their careers and raise their families here.
As Chairman of the Revenue Committee, I’ll keep working to lower Nebraska’s tax burden, control spending and create an environment where families and businesses can thrive.
My priorities:
A great education changes the trajectory of a child’s life. Nebraska should expect its schools to provide our kids with some of the best educational opportunities in the country.
That requires more than simply spending more money.
I’ve worked with educators across Nebraska on school funding, curriculum, teacher recruitment and classroom safety. I’ve supported major investments in Nebraska’s public schools while continuing to ask an important question: Are we getting the results our students deserve?
We need to attract and retain great teachers and administrators. We need classrooms where teachers can teach and students can learn. We need a school funding system that works for Nebraska today. And we need to prepare young people for college, the skilled trades and careers that can keep them right here in Nebraska.
Parents, teachers and taxpayers all have a stake in getting this right.
My priorities:
People deserve to feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods and schools.
I’ve supported stronger protections for victims and measures to give law enforcement and first responders the resources they need to do their jobs. I’ve also worked on issues involving school safety, human trafficking and Nebraska’s foster care system. That’s why I’ve been endorsed by Sheriff Aaron Hanson, the Omaha Police Officers Association, and the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police.
Public safety shouldn’t be complicated. We should support the men and women who protect us, hold violent and repeat offenders accountable and make sure victims aren’t an afterthought.
At the same time, good policy means looking upstream. Education, treatment and effective rehabilitation can reduce recidivism and prevent tomorrow’s crimes.
My priorities:
Before I entered the Legislature, I spent years building and growing a successful Nebraska business.
That experience shapes the way I look at government.
Businesses grow when people are willing to take risks, invest money, hire employees and build something. Government’s job shouldn’t be to make those things harder.
Nebraska has tremendous economic potential, but we’re competing every day with other states for businesses, workers and investment. Our tax structure, workforce, infrastructure and regulatory environment all affect whether we win that competition.
Economic growth isn’t an abstract statistic. It means better jobs, higher wages, stronger communities and a broader tax base.
I want Nebraska to be a place where businesses want to invest and where our children want to stay.
Good infrastructure isn’t optional for a growing state.
Nebraska needs roads, bridges and other infrastructure that can support our communities and economy for decades to come. During my first term, I introduced legislation creating an Infrastructure Review Task Force to regularly examine Nebraska’s highway system and long-term infrastructure needs.
My background in construction taught me that waiting until something fails is usually the most expensive way to fix it.
We should plan ahead, prioritize projects based on need and return on investment, and make sure taxpayer dollars are being used wisely.
I spent my career in the construction and engineering business, where results matter.
Government should be held to the same standard.
When a program isn’t working, we should fix it. When a program is no longer needed, we should stop funding it. When regulations create unnecessary costs without producing a meaningful benefit, we should change them.
I’ve worked to reduce unnecessary spending and improve the way state government operates. I’ll continue bringing a businessman’s eye to Nebraska’s budget and asking the question taxpayers deserve to have asked:
Are we getting our money’s worth?
Taxes and jobs matter, but they aren’t the only reasons people choose to call Nebraska home.
Great schools, safe neighborhoods, strong families and communities where people take care of one another are part of what makes Nebraska special.
I’ve worked on issues ranging from adoption and foster care to cancer research, human trafficking and community safety. These aren’t always the issues that generate the biggest headlines in Lincoln, but they matter deeply to Nebraska families.
Government can’t create strong communities. People do that.
But good government can remove obstacles, protect vulnerable people and make it easier for families and communities to succeed.
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