Nebraska Citizen

Sometimes it is difficult to see the forest from the trees.  A successful team is the result of people buying into a common set of goals.  There was good chemistry.  Nebraska is a sparse state without mountains or beaches, so we focused on a good work ethic, worked hard at recruiting, and we worked hard at academics.  Parents trusted us to provide a good environment for their sons.  We built a culture that was player friendly.

2. Why are you a Republican instead of a Democrat or some other party?

I work well across party lines.  I’m not terribly partisan, more conservative than liberal.  I believe in smaller government while still taking care of those that can’t care for themselves.  Personal responsibility is important.  I support gun ownership, am pro life, favor less taxation, and efficiency in government.  In Washington, I have worked well across party lines. 

3. You and the sitting governor are both Republicans.  Why did you decide you wanted to challenge someone from your own party?

The sitting governor was appointed as Governor and not elected.  He was also appointed as Lieutenant Governor.  He was not elected to either position.

I talked about running before Gov. Johanns was appointed as Secretary of Agriculture.  In Washington, the agenda is set by the President and the leaders of Congress.  I felt that I was being more reactive than proactive as a congressman.   A governor is more like a coach.  He can initiate an agenda that impacts the whole state. 

I care deeply about Nebraska.  It is heavily taxed.  Nebraska is one of the most heavily taxed states in the nation.  Businesses and older people are leaving the State because of the high tax burden.  I want to help make Nebraska a state that is at the top of the list for places to start a business, for older people to retire, and for young people to establish a career and a family.

4. Last week, water made the headlines.  The Department of Natural Resources says that even if Nebraska shuts off every irrigation well, Nebraska will still fail to comply with the Kansas Agreement.  So, how do you suggest Nebraska meet its obligations? 

I attempted to do what I could as a Congressman via CREP, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.  This takes 100,000 irrigated acres out of irrigation production through 10 to 15 year contracts, 50,000 acres out of the Republican River Basin and 50,000 acres out of the Platte.  About 37,000 acres have signed up in the Republican and about 10,000 acres in the Platte above Lake McConaughy.  CREP leaves more water in the river. This, to some degree, mitigates the demands of the Kansas Lawsuit.

Normal rainfall would be very helpful, but we are in a drought.

It appears that the contract we entered into with Kansas does not adequately address the scenario we are now in.  Most of the wells in the Republican River Basin have been metered.  The reservoirs have declined substantially, with some not able to provide irrigation water.

1. Who should pay the multimillion-dollar bill – the irrigators or the State of Nebraska?

It depends on what the contract says.  The irrigators of that area [Republican River Basin] did not create the Compact, so I am assuming it is a State obligation.  The irrigators in the Republican Basin have taken a big enough hit already.

2. Is it better for Nebraska to reduce irrigated acres or to move water from areas of surplus to areas of shortage?

Well, there's only so much water in the Republican Basin. If we continue to have low snow packs and continue to have less rain, we obviously have a real problem.  I doubt that I can secure another 100,000 acres in CREP.  We probably have asked all that we can from the Federal government in the current $125 million ($125 an acre for 100,000 acres for 10 years).  What we may be able to do is transfer some of those acres from the Platte Valley to the Republican.  We allocated 50,000 acres to the Republican and 50,000 to the Platte, most of the 40,000 acres below McConaughy have not been subscribed.  We may transfer acres from the lower Platte to the Republican.  Also there is EQIP.  I believe 7,000 to 10,000 acres have been taken out of production using EQIP, a federal program which allows dry land farming; however, you can’t irrigate those acres.  These retired acres are close to the river, so they have maximum benefit to the river.

3. There are about a million irrigated acres in the Republican River Basin.  According to the Department of Natural Resources, even if all acres are taken out of production in 2006, Nebraska will still not meet its obligation to Kansas.

We may want to look at the contract not adequately allowing for drought.  We may want to look at renegotiating.  I don't know a lot about the contract.  It was drawn up several years ago.

5. You have been a big advocate of recreation and tourism helping the economy.  Do you believe some farmers should quit farming and get into some of the recreational opportunities or it this more supplemental to existing farming operations? 

I see it more as a supplemental activity.  One must have a farm to give farm tours.  Not all farmers will be interested in doing this. 

One option is to open CREP acres to hunting.  CREP hurts the economy because farmers are not buying seed and supplies.  By opening these acres to hunting, we will get more people in motels, grocery stores, gas stations, and rural communities. 

Agriculture is a $10 to 11 billion dollar boost to the Nebraska economy.

6. Should Nebraska build more ethanol plants?  Should the State subsidize this?

Ethanol is good for the economy.  The Federal government is requiring a doubling of the amount of ethanol use.  I want to see more farmer-owned ethanol plants.  There is value added at each step of the process, and it is good that farmers are involved in this.

Nebraska has stopped providing some subsidies while other states continue to help establish plants through incentives.  I think it is important that Nebraska continue to keep pace with ethanol development.

7. Omaha would like all schools within Omaha to be in one district?    Should the Legislature get involved in this?

I have talked to all of the superintendents about this.  The best solution is for the schools to work this out and then come to the Legislature with a proposed solution on which they can act.

The process should not be politicized.  We need to avoid going to court because of the costs, if at all possible.  Some of the superintendents have looked at what other states have done, and that is a good thing.

8. Nebraska has more revenue coming in than it is committed to spend.  Should this money be used to repair university buildings, build new, or something else?  Or, should it be refunded to the taxpayers?

The Legislature will decide.  In 2003, there was a shortfall, so we raised taxes.  Sales taxes were increased and expanded.  The Legislature increased death taxes, income, and property taxes resulting in $240,000,000 more coming in.  There was a promise that this was temporary.  In 2004, $300,000,000 additional dollars came in.  We shouldn't be surprised; we raised taxes, so more money should come in.

The economy grew at 1% in 2004 but the state budget calls for a 7.1% increase in spending, on average, for 2005 and 2006.  This trend is not sustainable.

9. Would you support or oppose gambling in Nebraska?

We already have a lot of gambling in Nebraska.  Casino gambling hurts the taxpayer more than it helps.   Social costs go up.  Addictions triple.  There are more kids in foster care.  About 30% of the money ends up going to Las Vegas.  In Iowa, they still needed to raise taxes as gambling didn't bring in as much money as predicted.  Gambling does not produce goods or services, it drains resources.

10. The Water Policy Task Force was appointed by Governor Johanns.   There were many influential and knowledgeable voices that feel excluded from this group.  Do you see a need to rotate some of the members or find a way to change any of the Task Force makeup?

It is important that the Task Force be representative of the total population.  I had not really thought about it, but I would look at its composition.

Technorati: Tom Osborne, Republican River, Gambling