In 2014, President Obama famously said, “I’ve got a pen and I’ve got a phone,” telling the American people he didn’t care whether Congress had provided legislative authority for his favored policies. He would go it alone whenever he felt like it.

The historic tornadoes that pummeled the eastern and central portions of our state last week were devastating, and supporting the ongoing recovery efforts for Nebraskans remains top of mind.

One summer back in the day, when I was more of a stud and less of a dud—or at least I wasn’t mortified to be out in public without my shirt on—my brothers, some other guys, and I packed up the boat one Saturday afternoon and headed up Highway 92 to soak up the sunshine at Sherman Reservoir.

Term limits claim thirteen Nebraska state senators while two are leaving for other reasons. That’ll mean fifteen new faces in the nation’s only one-house nonpartisan legislature come January.

What a week!

No matter who you are, I think everyone, at one time or another, has had the type of day where nothing seems to go your way. Let’s just hope that, when that day occurs, it doesn’t align with a major life milestone.

In 2021, the last special session of the Nebraska Legislature lasted thirteen days and cost the state $105,436. Do the math, that’s $8,076.92 per day.

“I believe I have the votes.” Those six words have become the curse of the Nebraska Legislature. The buzzkill.

Next week, I am going to be taking some time away from work to spend the weekend sharpening my skills, but even before I dust off my pen, notepad, and portfolio, I have been assigned some homework. And, like in middle school, I am already stumped by the assignment.

Epic Option There is no way a 7.5% Consumption Tax on new purchases only will fund current local school, city and county needs. There is no guarantee our local taxes paid will stay local.