Bruning brings campaign message to Sidney

Nebraska's current attorney general, Jon Bruning, believes he can make a seamless transition into the role of governor next year, if elected to that position.

"I think this has been a very well run state under governors Heineman and Johanns," Bruning said during a stop in Sidney last week. "And I've worked right alongside both governors in my 12 years as attorney general. Experience matters. I will not need on the job training and I think that's very important in a state where Nebraskans are rightly proud of how it's being run."

The keys to Nebraska's continued well being, in Bruning's opinion, are balanced budgets, low unemployment and tax relief. He believes strongly in cutting down on the power of the federal government.

"Nebraskans want someone who's gonna stand up for our ability to make decisions without federal government interference," Bruning said. "And I've done that."

Bruning was a leader in filing a lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act. He helped to win the portion of this suit which allowed states to decide whether or not to expand Medicaid. This will save the state $150 million over 10 years, he said. If the state was forced to expand Medicaid, other portions of the budget would have to shrink, he added.

"There's only so much tax money that we can ask of our citizens," Bruning pointed out.

The best way to deal with healthcare issues in the state is to strive to make Health and Human Services more efficient, he said.

"We have to try to do better," Bruning said.

Bruning believes that many of the problems facing individuals in the state are due to broken families and parents with substance abuse issues. He admits these aren't easy problems to solve.

Bruning has spent 18 years in state government, six as a state senator and 12 as attorney general. He thinks that his experience against perceived federal government intrusion is what makes him stand out against the other candidates. Bruning has challenged the Environmental Protection Agency 39 times in an effort to keep energy costs low, he claimed.

"We have excellent public power districts in this state that do a great job providing low cost, efficient power," Bruning said. "But the federal government is constantly overreaching in how they interact with public power."

Low cost power matters to everyone, no matter their status or income, he added. Bruning disagrees with the EPA's efforts to make people pay more for energy in return for what he calls marginal environmental gains. Bruning promised to keep the interests of rural Nebraska in mind, if elected governor.

"I think rural Nebraska deserves to be heard," Bruning said. "I think rural Nebraska needs to know that their governor understands that the economy in rural Nebraska is central to the state's economy as a whole."

He intends to be visible in this part of the state and to keep issues that are important to the western portion of the state at the forefront of his agenda. He believes one of the biggest concerns of those in the panhandle is property tax relief. He suggests using excess money in the state's rainy day fund to provide citizens with this relief.

Bruning is an all around conservative. He is pro-life, believes that marriage should only take place between a man and a woman and is a supporter of gun rights. Bruning is an NRA member and said he will not waiver from his support of the second amendment.

"When a mass shooting occurs, it has nothing to do with the gun, it has everything to do with mental illness of the shooter," Bruning said. "I don't wanna restrict anybody's right to keep and bear arms."

He thinks there is sometimes a knee jerk reaction to restrict access to guns after a mass shooting occurs, but he does not think this will solve any problems.

"I think the answer is stronger families," Bruning said. "I think the answer is parental supervision. I think the answer is personal responsibility. Not every problem requires a government solution."

Jerry Matzke, a local lawyer and one of Bruning's mentors when they both worked in the Nebraska legislature, attended a meet and greet with Bruning at Hillside Bar and Grill in Sidney last week.

"He's been a very capable attorney general," Matzke said.

Sidney High School Principal Chris Arent, a high school friend of Bruning's, also commented on Bruning's capabilities.

"I trust him as a leader," Arent said.