First Week of the 2nd Session of the 109th Legislature

Greetings from the first week of the 2nd Session of the 109th Legislature. It is hard for me to believe that I’m starting year number 4 serving as your State Senator. This session will have 60 legislative days for us to conduct the business of the state. We’ve got a lot on our plate.

Why Showing up Still Matters

There are days when I question how long I can keep up this schedule.Too many miles. Too many nights away from my family. Too many evenings when coming home after bedtime has become the norm instead of the exception.But then I remind myself why I do what I do.

Community Connection

Call Annie Jeffrey Health Center at (402) 747-2031 for more information– An estimated 27 million Americans are affected by thyroid disease - that is more than the number of Americans diagnosed with diabetes and cancer combined.

Rough Start to the Year

This has been a rough year for our republic, and we’re just two weeks into it. It’s been hard to decide what to write about this week. If I write solely about the death of Renee Nicole Good, my column this week would be a lot like my column last week.

2025 Year in Review: Record Results For Nebraskans

The start of a new year invites more than resolutions; it invites reflection. As I look back on 2025, I do so with an eye toward what effective governing should mean at a time when Americans are stretched by costs, uncertainty, and rapid change.

AFC Calls on Governors to Opt In to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

Dallas, TX – The American Federation for Children is calling on all governors to opt in to the federal scholarship tax credit now that the U.S. Department of Treasury approved an advanced election to officially do so starting today (January 1, 2026).

USDA Announces Commodity Payment Rates for Farmer Bridge Assistance Program

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Secretary ofAgriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the next phase in the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA), the eligible commodity per-acre payment rates.

Community Connection

Call Annie Jeffrey Health Center at (402) 747-2031 for more informationJanuary is Glaucoma Awareness Month – Half of all blindness can be prevented. A vision screening can help identify people who are at risk for eye disease.

Let the players play — and the fans behave

Let the players play — and the fans behaveREPORTER’S NOTEBOOKOne of the highlights of my job is getting to see a lot of high school sports.In my short time in Nebraska, I’ve had the privilege of covering state playoffs in football, volleyball, softball, and basketball.

Nebraska workers receive another wage increase because of Initiative 433 Effective January 1, 2026

LINCOLN, NE – Thursday, Nebraska’s minimum wage increased for workers across the state to $15.00/hour. Starting on January 1, 2027, Nebraska’s minimum wage will be adjusted every year to account for cost of living increases.