Carlson visits Sidney on return to campaign trail

Tom Carlson returned to the campaign trail this week following one of the more contentious legislative sessions in recent memory.

"You couldn't relax until the final vote," he said during a stop in Sidney on Monday.

But the state senator (R-Holdrege) and gubernatorial candidate claims a significant achievement: passage of LB 1098, the water sustainability bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Dave Heineman on April 16. The measure created a fund for water supply management, flood control, efficient water use and an expansion of the Natural Resources Commission.

Carlson introduced the bill along with senator Mark Christensen of Imperial and ushered it through a series of challenges and compromises to a unanimous vote in favor.

"In a sense it was the culmination of eight years of work," Carlson explained. "It's imperative we become sustainable with our water supply. When we do, agriculture and livestock producers are guaranteed prosperity--and that puts us in the best economic position of any state."

Thanks to continued drought in the southwest, Nebraska producers surpassed Texas in cattle on feed.

"That underscores the importance of water sustainability," Carlson pointed out.

But the legislative session put his campaign for the governor's seat in catch up mode. He visited Sidney before Wednesday's debate. After that, Carlson plans another swing through the panhandle before the May 13 primary.

"I can sense people getting more tuned into the election," he said.

Carlson believes his experience as a college professor, coach, small business owner and state senator sets him apart.

"You look for a candidate with the right mix of experience and leadership," he explained. "Of course I say that's me."

He points to the battle to pass LB 1098 and his work with the task force studying the issue of water sustainability in the year leading up to the bill's introduction.

"Getting people to work together was a challenge," he said. "The governor needs to be a leader for the benefit of Nebraska's citizens."

Besides, he added, "of the six Republican candidates, I'm the only one that lives in rural Nebraska."

In addition to Carlson, the primary field consists of Mike Foley, Bryan Slone, Jon Bruning, Beau McCoy and Pete Ricketts.

On his campaign stop in Sidney on Monday, Carlson emphasized the importance of rural prosperity to the state's overall economy. He considers the series of foreign trade missions a valuable tool for opening markets to Nebraska's producers. He mentioned completion of the Heartland Expressway as another component for growth.

Carlson also targeted what he called "unreasonable" regulation from the federal government.

"There's a one size fits all formula," he said. "That's not right."

The law making marijuana consumption legal in Colorado also troubles the candidate. He pointed out that law enforcement officers in Nebraska are now faced with greater challenges as a result.

The solution, he believes, are a stronger set of punishments for marijuana use in this state.

"Fines should be stiff and quick," Carlson said. "Maybe the outcome would be that traffickers would drive around Nebraska."

The candidate made several stops in Sidney on Monday. He expects to return in early May.