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  • Stay Connected During Coronavirus

    Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Governor|May 27, 2020

    It’s hard to believe we’ve been battling coronavirus in Nebraska for over two months now. I applaud Nebraskans for working together and successfully slowing the spread of the virus. The impact of the virus has been much less severe here than in many other states. That’s due in part to Nebraskans staying informed, following the rules, and practicing good hygiene and physical distancing. As we have worked to mitigate the impact of the virus, communities have been working to overcome a varie...

  • The Results Are In

    Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Governor|Jun 5, 2019

    Last week, Senators wrapped up the First Session of the 106th Nebraska Legislature. From property taxes to a new pro-life law, the Legislature did important work on a wide variety of issues. Here are a few of the highlights from the session over the last five months. When session began in January, it was hard to imagine that Nebraska would endure its most widespread natural disaster in state history within a matter of weeks. As Nebraskans stepped up to recover and rebuild bigger and better than...

  • Growing Nebraska After 150 Years

    Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Governor|Feb 28, 2018

    This week, Nebraska turns 151 years old. On March 1, Nebraska celebrates Statehood Day, the anniversary of President Johnson signing Nebraska’s statehood proclamation in 1867. We have come a long way since then, and there are many great opportunities to grow the tradition of living the Good Life this year. To ensure a prosperous future for our state, it is important that the State of Nebraska continues to cultivate a pro-growth business climate. National rankings show some strengths we can b...

  • Winning The Nebraska Way

    Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Governor|Feb 9, 2018

    Life is precious. It is something that we can never take for granted. From our country’s earliest days, our Founding Fathers recognized life as the first right in the Declaration of Independence. As Americans, we have an obligation to step up and protect life. The right to life comes with responsibilities to ourselves and to others. Nebraskans across our state recognize these duties by standing up for the unborn, caring for the elderly, and getting involved in their communities among many o...

  • Improving Educational Outcomes

    Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Governor|Jan 24, 2018

    Like many Nebraskans, my life has been shaped by agriculture. For over 40 years, I’ve worked with agriculture and rural development organizations across our state and recognized how the success of ag producers is connected to the success of our state as a whole. As a state senator in the Nebraska Legislature and as a U.S. Senator, common-sense agriculture policies have always been a top priority for me. Now, I have an opportunity to be more involved at the federal level. I am happy to a...

  • Working Together On Reform

    Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Governor|Jan 19, 2018

    Cutting and reforming taxes is key to growing Nebraska. Over the years, together, the Legislature and I have done the hard work needed to hold the line on taxes. Additionally, we have worked together to deliver over $840 million in property tax relief over four years. While this is significant, I’m continuing to make tax relief a top priority. Throughout the state, Senators and I hear stories of how high taxes are hurting Nebraskans. There’s one story that has really stuck with me: This fal...

  • Prioritizing Balancing the Budget and Tax Reform

    Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Governor|Jan 12, 2018

    The 2018 legislative session has commenced! Last week, State Senators gathered at the State Capitol building in Lincoln to kick off the second session of Nebraska’s 105th Legislature. This is a short 60-day legislative session. From now until to mid-April, State Senators will be debating changes to the state budget and a variety of policies. Short sessions require the Legislature to focus on high-priority issues. During this session, many senators have said that the state budget and tax r...

  • Working Together In 2018

    Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Governor|Jan 3, 2018

    Happy New Year, fellow Nebraskans! With the start of a new year, the Unicameral Legislature convenes in January to work on priorities Nebraskans care about. In good times and in bad, Nebraskans work together to get things done and move our state forward. When we see a need, we go out and meet that need. Over the years, many of your State Senators and I have worked together on your priorities. You don't have to look any further than the work we did together in the 2017 session to see the power...

  • Reducing the Budget

    Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Governor|Dec 20, 2017

    Every successful organization and household has to manage a budget. Our farmers and ranchers work to control the cost of inputs so that they operate profitably when it comes time to market their crop. Families watch their spending so that they can meet their household needs. Our Main Street job creators monitor their bottom line so they can deliver value to their customers, attract quality talent to their organizations, and grow opportunities. Just like Nebraska’s ag producers, households, a...

  • Improving HHS Operations

    Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Governor|Dec 15, 2017

    Here at the State of Nebraska, we’re working every day to build a government which is more effective and more efficient. When I took office, I identified the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as a priority for operational improvements. It’s one of our state’s biggest agencies with over $1.5 billion in state funding flowing through it annually. It’s no secret that the agency has faced challenges, but they’ve been focused on putting those in the past and running a new kind of operat...

  • Agriculture Grows Nebraska

    Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Governor|Dec 8, 2017

    Each spring, Nebraska farmers head to their fields to plant and prepare for their fall harvest. Their individual success depends on many factors and is a key part of our state’s overall economic success. Our farm and ranch families are the foundation of our state’s number one industry. To grow Nebraska, we have to continue to grow opportunities for those families. In 2017, I’ve continued to make growing agriculture a top priority for my administration by expanding trade, encouraging lives...