Property Taxes - Tax Reform
Over the past 10 years, property taxes grew statewide by an average of 57%, while household income grew at 21%. There are counties in Nebraska where the average tax increase over the past ten years is as high as 147%, and individual homeowners and landowners have experienced even greater increases.

As the state has cut back on their share of funding for public education in an attempt to balance their budget, the property tax has been used to make up the difference. Not long ago the state contributed 20% of income tax revenues to help fund education. Now that figure is less than 3%.

Governor Ricketts pledged to fix the property tax issue but has failed to do so. Instead, he has focused his energies on trying to cut taxes on upper-income earners, corporations, and special interests. His latest proposal — rejected by the Unicameral — would have provided T.D. Ameritrade, the company founded by the Ricketts family, a $13 million tax cut while the typical homeowner would receive a tax credit of $25.

As Republican State Senator Steve Erdman noted of this recent proposal, “But he (Ricketts) has never been for property tax relief, he never will be, just face it, straight up.” (LJS 4.24.28)

This is not the first attempt by Governor Ricketts to shift the burden of taxation onto the middle class. In previous years, plans offered by Governor Ricketts would have done more of the same. Dramatic cuts to corporate income taxes, slashed taxes for his wealthy friends, increased taxes on low-wage earners and next to nothing for the average property taxpayer.

And when he ran for U.S. Senate, Ricketts was a strong advocate for the flat tax, also known as the 30% sales tax, which would have saved him hundreds of thousands of dollars each year while raising taxes on the middle class.

Senators Krist and Walz take a different approach. They believe we need to restore the balance in how we pay for education by increasing state aid in exchange for reducing property taxes used to fund education.

Krist and Walz want to reform the tax system so it is fair to hard-working Nebraskans. Not behind closed doors, but in the open, where the citizens of Nebraska can be heard and ideas are measured against one standard: is this fair to the people of Nebraska?

Non-Partisanship
Bob and Lynne believe that politics should end when governing begins. That has been their approach while serving as state senators in the Unicameral, and that will be their attitude as your Governor and Lt. Governor.

They understand that no single political party or individual has all the answers; that sound policies reflect the collective wisdom of Nebraskans and that progress often comes as a result of compromise.

“When I served in the Air Force and was planning or flying combat missions in the Middle East,” Krist noted, “we didn’t have a Democratic way or a Republican way to execute the plan. We only thought about how to do it the right way. And that has been my philosophy ever since.”

Unfortunately, the current governor has taken a “my-way-or-the-highway” approach to governing; often attacking and threatening members of the Unicameral if they do not support his policies, and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to defeat those that disagree with him.

Governor Ricketts calculates his decision based on how they will affect his political future and his personal fortune. If people and programs get harmed as result, to him it is of little consequence.

A Krist-Walz administration will help restore the non-partisan philosophy to the Unicameral; an approach that served Nebraska well for over a century. And they will have a blind-eye to partisanship when it comes to nominating judges, hiring a cabinet, and developing and executing government policies. The bottom line for all decisions will be based on one concern: is this good for the people of Nebraska?

Agriculture
Agriculture is the backbone of Nebraska’s economy; it is our number one economic driver. As such it is incumbent upon the state of Nebraska to sustain and grow and protect this essential industry and way-of-life. From research at our universities to building roads and bridges to investments in the next generation of farmers and ranchers, we must be prepared to compete in the global marketplace.

And while much of our country’s farm policy is formulated at the federal level, the Krist-Walz administration will be a strong advocate for agriculture and rural Nebraska at the state level. Their agenda includes the following:

Fix the property tax problem. Property taxes are out of control and the current administration has failed to address the issue. We must restore state funding for education and cut the property tax.

Oppose the Trump trade war. Nothing is more dangerous to Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers than a trade war that reduces our exports and lowers commodity prices. Krist-Walz will speak out forcefully when actions by the President threaten our livelihood and economic future.

Promote and support renewable fuel standards. They are good for the environment, good Nebraska’s economy, and provide thousands of jobs here in Nebraska.

Expand and improve rural broadband. Without broadband connections to the world, the capacity of rural Nebraska to grow is reduced and the quality of life is diminished. From health care to manufacturing, and everything in between, rural broadband is essential to agriculture and rural Nebraska’s future.

Prepare now for the impact of climate change. We need to look at how changes in our weather patterns may affect our farm economy, and develop alternative plans for a more arid and warmer environment.

Promote alternative cash crops. We need to “think outside the box” and look for ways that alternative cash crops can become a viable source of income and serve as an alternative to the standard rotation of crops

Fight for federal policies that will expand markets and for Nebraska’s farm product both at home and abroad.

Focus on transportation issues (like roads, bridges and railroad crossings) that impact the capacity of our farmers and ranchers to efficiently deliver their product to the market, create safety hazards, or impact future economic development.

K-12 Education
As Governor and Lt. Governor, Bob Krist and Lynne Walz will strengthen public education in Nebraska. As a state senator, Bob has fought to make sure our schools have the resources they need. As a former teacher at Fremont Public Schools, Lynne knows the challenges our educators and students face.

Bob and Lynne want to treat teachers as partners in the education of our children, not as political enemies. They will turn the page from an administration that is more interested in attacking teachers than supporting students, putting the focus back on the children where it belongs. This is one of the reasons why the Nebraska State Education Association supports the Krist-Walz ticket.

Putting the focus back on educating kids means making sure that the state provides meaningful aid to local school districts, so districts have the resources they need to educate our kids, instead of cutting state aid year after year in order to balance the state’s budget. As local school districts are primarily funded by property tax dollars, overhauling state education aid is also a way we can reduce property taxes.

It means a focus on early childhood education. Studies have shown that pre-K programs have a positive effect on a child’s development both in and out of the classroom. This is why Bob has pledged to champion programs and funding that provide opportunities for all children, regardless of geographic or demographic barriers.

It means investing in the mental health of our students, not only for the general well-being of children across the state but as a school safety issue as well. This is why Lynne introduced LB998, which would have used private donations to fund behavioral health services, particularly in rural school districts, across the state. Despite a strong, bipartisan majority of senators passing the bill, Gov. Pete Ricketts vetoed it.

Nebraskans deserve a Governor and Lt. Governor who will stand up for kids, for parents, for teachers, for public schools, and for taxpayers. Bob Krist and Lynne Walz will be that team.

Healthcare
Perhaps emblematic of the Ricketts administration attitude toward healthcare is when Governor Ricketts vetoed legislation that would have provided additional mental health services to our students in school at no cost to the taxpayer.

Ricketts has also said “no” to healthcare coverage for 90,000 Nebraskans who currently do without healthcare or end up in the emergency room, costing all Nebraskans higher insurance premiums to pay for the uncompensated care. He also has reduced access to vital healthcare services like cancer screening for women who receive care through Title X services.

Ricketts has also reduced Medicaid reimbursement rates, forcing the closure of more than thirty nursing homes and threatening the ability of rural hospitals to keep their doors open. Ricketts also opposed pre-natal care to non-documented pregnant women and has scaled back services provided to our special needs community.

This pattern of neglect will change under a Krist-Walz administration.

Senator Walz was the sponsor of the legislation to provide additional mental healthcare services to our students. Senator Krist voted for it.

A Krist-Walz administration will say “yes” to healthcare coverage for 90,000 Nebraskans through Medicaid expansion. They also support Title X healthcare services and will fight to adequately fund these programs.

Krist-Walz will also be strong advocates for our rural health system and understand the need to ensure its financial stability.

Bob Krist — the proud father of a special needs daughter — understands first-hand the importance the programs servicing our special needs community and will be their strong advocate as their governor.

The difference between the Ricketts administration and a Krist-Walz administration is as clear as night and day: Ricketts offers a pattern of neglect while Krist-Walz offers an aggressive policy agenda to address the healthcare needs of all Nebraskans.

Higher Education
Nebraska faces challenges in preventing the “brain drain” of young people leaving the state for opportunities in other states. One way to ensure that we are keeping young Nebraskans in our state and attracting people to Nebraska is through a strong University and State College system. Unfortunately, there has never been a governor who is more hostile to higher education in Nebraska than Pete Ricketts.

It is very easy for politicians to pay lip service to higher education, wear red on fall Saturdays, and then fail to deliver on any promises to protect our state colleges and universities, but over the last four years, we have seen even worse than that. Gov. Ricketts has singled out the University of Nebraska system for disproportionate cuts in the state budget, abdicating his responsibility as Governor while he pushed for policies that would line his own pockets.

He has funded organizations that advocated for deep cuts in spending on higher education as well as tuition hikes, and he has followed through on that philosophy as Governor. As state senators, Bob Krist and Lynne Walz fought against deep cuts to university programs, and as Governor and Lt. Governor, they will continue to make sure that our colleges and universities are the pride of our state.

From our world-class University of Nebraska Medical Center to the University of Nebraska campuses in Lincoln, Omaha, and Kearney, to our state colleges in Chadron, Peru, and Wayne, to our community colleges all across the state, Bob and Lynne are committed to affordable and accessible higher education in Nebraska.

There is no better investment that we can make in the future of our state than investing in education. Bob Krist and Lynne Walz are committed to providing a full investment in higher education, and their administration will reverse the course that the Ricketts administration has set through their cuts.

Jobs and Economic Development
Bob Krist and Lynne Walz understand the importance of a job, not only to an individual, but to the family that job supports. As small businesspersons, they understand first-hand how government can help, or hurt, job creation.

In 2001 Pete Rickets, as COO at Ameritrade laid off 600 employees and that year was given a bonus of $150,000. In 2003, he fired 400 employees and received a bonus of $277,000. And when Ameritrade merged with T.D. Waterhouse, the agreement stated that up to 1,500 employees would be laid off while Pete Ricketts would receive a bonus of 7 million dollars.

Old news?

When ConAgra moved its corporate headquarters from Omaha to Chicago, the silence you heard from the governor’s office was deafening. And when Cabela’s was forced to merge with Brass Pro Shop, and as a result abandon its headquarters in Sidney, Nebraska and leaving hundreds unemployed, crickets were much louder than Ricketts.

Unfortunately, Pete Ricketts has been so focused on pushing policies that would benefit himself and his billionaire friends that he doesn’t seem to care about average Nebraskans and small businesses.

Bob Krist and Lynne Walz understand the importance of a job, not only to an individual but to the family that job supports. And as small businesspersons, they understand first-hand how government can help, or hurt, job creation.

They understand that key to a good job begins with a good education, from K-12 to our community colleges and universities, to apprenticeships and other job-training programs. Education leads to innovation and entrepreneurial activity, which will help create new start-ups and small businesses that will help Nebraska’s economy grow.

In addition, they know first-hand that government regulations need to be streamlined to promote job growth, and that targeted incentives for job creation have a role to play in our new economy, particularly among small entrepreneurs.

The Krist-Walz administration understands the need to expand rural broadband, complete our four-lane state-highway system, and invest in our University research programs.

Krist-Walz also understands that individuals and businesses measure more than tax incentives when deciding where to locate, or where they want to work. Quality of life measured by such factors as quality of local schools, diversity, entertainment, outdoor activities, transportation, and social acceptance are factors that are important in deciding economic growth.

#MeToo
Senator Krist’s 10 years in the Legislature shows a strong record of supporting bills relating to wage discrimination, paid family and medical leave, protections for nursing mothers, and affirmative consent.

For far too long, women have encountered obstacles in their daily lives, both personally and professionally. In 2017, the #MeToo and #TimesUp Movements empowered survivors of sexual violence, harassment, and workplace inequity like nothing else has. Senators Krist and Walz have said that as a result of these encouraging movements, we now have an even greater responsibility to turn our collective outrage and awareness into action.

They believe that everyone deserves to earn a living or go to school without the impediments of sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination. Instead of focusing only on the individuals who perpetrate these offenses, however, we must also talk about the culture in which they exist.

The Krist-Walz administration will place a priority on ensuring that the culture within each state agency ensures all employees feel safe, respected, and comfortable speaking up without fear of retribution. They believe that changing the culture of disparity and misconduct in the workplace starts at the top. Unlike the current administration which ignores warning signs and statements, Krist and Walz will carefully assess all potential appointees — whether that person might lead our state’s law enforcement agency or become a Supreme Court Judge.

Senator Krist’s 10 years in the Legislature shows a strong record of supporting bills relating to wage discrimination, paid family and medical leave, protections for nursing mothers, and affirmative consent. As governor, he will continue this support through advocating for the passage of laws for gender parity issues such as equal pay and equal work environments as well as increased opportunities, particularly for women in low-wage industries and women of color.

Special Needs
Bob Krist is the proud parent of a special needs daughter, Courtney, who has filled their family with much joy. He is the former president of the Madonna School in Omaha, whose mission is to serve students and adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities to become as independent as possible.

Lynne Walz started her career working as a Direct Care Staffer for the Eastern Nebraska Office on Retardation. During her stay, she was part of an effort to help provide residential services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Through hard work, she quickly moved up to the position of Residential Manager. In this position, she began supervising residential care facilities that provide some of the most crucial services to those who need it most.

She later transitioned to Bethphage, now known as Mosaic, an organization dedicated to the needs of people with disabilities. As the Executive Director in Fremont and Columbus, Senator Walz oversaw residential and day service programs.

On the other hand, Governor Pete Ricketts has taken an adversarial role toward the special needs community. The most blatant example is when he vetoed $17 million of funding for health care providers, including those addressing the needs of those with developmental disabilities. Both Krist and Walz voted to override the Governor’s veto.

Bob and Lynne understand that access to vital services must be provided consistently and efficiently for all individuals. Our schools and communities must be looking to provide differentiated education and job-training opportunities to help individuals learn and succeed. Policies to encourage financial independence and planning must be prioritized so that individuals with special needs and their families can have the means to get the care they need both now and in the future.

Senator Walz introduced legislation to require the state Department of Health and Human Services to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to provide services to persons with developmental disabilities. Senator Krist co-sponsored legislation (which is now a law) that allows individuals with disabilities to create tax-free savings accounts to set aside money for education, housing, assistive technology and other needs. Krist also co-sponsored legislation that passed that requires insurance companies to provide health care services to kids with autism.

When it comes to addressing the special needs community, two very different paths and two very different set of priorities are pursued by Governor Ricketts and the Krist-Walz team. The choice is clear.^[21]

Getting the Job Done for Our Economy
A Record of Results
Governor Ricketts has worked hard to eliminate the barriers to success state government imposes on Nebraska’s job creators, including heavy tax burdens, unnecessary regulations, and red tape. The last three years hold proof of the power of Nebraska job creators unleashed to invest, hire, and grow our state’s economy.

In June of 2016, Governor Ricketts announced a new milestone for job creation in Nebraska: over one million non-farm jobs for the first time in state history. As Nebraska has attracted millions of dollars in major business expansions and new jobs, the record proves we’re on the right track.

In October of 2017, Nebraska’s unemployment rate, the fourth-lowest in the nation, reached its lowest point since 1999.

In both 2017 and 2018, Nebraska was awarded the Site Selection Magazine Governor’s Cup for the most economic development projects per capita. In 2016 and 2017, the number of Nebraska economic development projects exceeded that of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Kansas combined. Nebraska job creators are doing what they do best: investing, innovating, and putting Nebraska’s unparalleled workforce to work.

Developing a 21st-Century Workforce
Attracting new opportunities and next-generation jobs to Nebraska requires a workforce equipped to fill new, high-skill positions. The cutting-edge reemployment program developed by the Ricketts administration has been nationally recognized for getting unemployed Nebraskans back into the workforcewhile getting results for taxpayers. The reforms reduced the average number of weeks of benefits paid by over 20 percent, resulting in $13.7 million in fewer benefits needed. The program’s cost savings contributed to a 25 percent reduction in the unemployment tax rate in 2017, resulting in nearly $20 million in taxpayer savings.

Investing in the Next Generation of Nebraska Workers
To give future Nebraska workers a head start in the increasingly competitive 21st-century economy, Governor Ricketts has championed the Developing Youth Talent Initiative (DYTI). The program fosters public-private partnerships that bring hands-on career exploration and workplace learning to Nebraska’s 7th and 8th graders. DYTI has proven successful in encouraging participating students to pursue interests in technology and manufacturing. Hastings High School, for example, experienced a 16 percent increase in enrollment in Skills and Technical Science classes among incoming freshmen who had participated in a year of 8th-grade DYTI programming.

Promoting the Silicon Prairie
In the competition to attract new investment and job opportunities to Nebraska, the customer-friendly, pro-growth approach to economic development and regulatory reform advanced by the Ricketts administration has given Nebraska a competitive edge. This is especially true for technology firms that are providing Nebraskans with the jobs of the future. In 2017, Facebook announced the development of a major data center in Papillion. This is Facebook’s sixth facility of its kind in the United States.

“Everything here has been as advertised — from a committed set of community partners and strong pool of talent to the opportunity to power our facility with 100 percent renewable energy. The Cornhusker State is a great place to do business.”-Tim Furlong, VP of Infrastructure at Facebook

Promoting Trade
Nebraska’s workforce, and the high-quality agricultural products, goods, and services it produces, make the state an appealing destination for trade partnership and new investment. Governor Ricketts has tirelessly worked to develop new trade relationships and strengthen existing ties, both across the U.S. andaround the world.

Trade can be described in dollars and cents, but its impact can be seen in the lives of Nebraskans across the state. For example, when Kawasaki announced its investment in aerostructures production in Lincoln,longtime Kawasaki production worker Eric Jones was given the opportunity to become a supervisor, where he earns a good wage to support his wife and three children. When companies invest in Nebraska, they are also making an investment in our people.

Trade Successes
The Governor’s advocacy of Nebraska’s people and products has yielded real results: investment dollars and new, good-paying jobs.

• In May of 2017, after Governor Ricketts’ 2015 meeting with Kawasaki leadership during his first trade mission to Asia, the Governor joined Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A. for the grand opening of the company’s new Aerospace Division in Lincoln, the first aerostructures production line for Kawasaki in the United States.
• The Governor’s trade delegation to Asia and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Nebraska Center-Japan helped open the door to Geist Technologies’ expansion into the Japanese market, helping fuel the development of the company’s new $12.5 million facility in Lincoln.
• Meeting with the corporate leadership of Denmark-based Novozymes, Governor Ricketts encouraged the bioscience company to take advantage of opportunities to expand its operations in Nebraska. This paved the way for the expansion of its state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility in Blair, injecting $36 million in new investment for the city and a major advance for Nebraska’s biofuels industry.
• In August of 2017, Governor Ricketts conducted the first trade mission by a Nebraska governor to Canada. He met with Agri-Plastics to help recruit its first U.S. facility to Sidney. This investment created 20 new jobs.
• Letters of intent are an important tool to promote Nebaska’s agricultural exports. In 2017, Nebraska Department of Agriculture officials signed letters of intent with nine Bulgarian soybean processing companies to use Nebraska-grown soybeans and soybean products in their facilities.

Governor's Council for International Relations
Building upon his administration’s successes in developing global business relationships, Governor Ricketts formed the Governor’s Council for International Relations. Combining leaders in business, agriculture, and education, the Council supports the development of partnerships to grow investment and strengthen trade relationships.

Providing Tax Relief
Each year of his administration, Governor Ricketts has fought to provide Nebraskans with relief from high state and local taxes, especially property taxes.

• In 2015, Governor Ricketts and the Legislature provided Nebraskans with $408 million in direct property tax relief, an increase of 45 percent.
• Governor Ricketts prioritized property tax relief in the 2016 legislative session, resulting in an additional $20 million in direct property tax relief credits for agricultural land. Governor Ricketts also signed LB959, a bill removing penalties on school districts that lower their property tax levies.
• In 2017, Governor Ricketts worked to advance once-in-a-generation state tax reform legislation to floor debate in the Legislature. If implemented, the plan would have reduced ag land property valuations by $12 billion in 2017 and provided income tax relief to Nebraskans at all income levels, particularly middle-class and low-income taxpayers. Governor Ricketts’ 2017 tax plan served as a precursor to the 2018 Nebraska Property Tax Cuts and Opportunities Act.

Controlling State Spending
Controlling Spending Means Tax Relief
The only path to a balanced state budget and tax relief for Nebraska families and job creators is careful control of state spending. Through a focus on efficiency and the elimination of waste, Governor Ricketts has prioritized property tax relief while also ensuring essential state services are properly funded.

Cut the Rate of Growth In Spending by Over 90 Percent
Governor Ricketts’ first budget cut the rate of growth in state spending by nearly half, from 6.5 percent in the previous administration’s budget to 3.6 percent. In 2017, Governor Ricketts worked with the Legislature to cut the growth rate of state spending again, this time to 0.6 percent, a more than 90 percent reduction over the last three years.

Implementing Strong Spending Controls
The Governor has held the line on spending, implementing a hiring freeze that reduced the state workforce by 500, or about four percent. Governor Ricketts has also eliminated 1,500 open positions. The Governor has directed state agencies to reduce discretionary expenditures and purchases of new equipment and trim operating costs to keep spending under control. Governor Ricketts has been unafraid to use his veto pen to restrict the growth of spending and balance Nebraska’s budget without raising taxes on our families and job creators.

Supporting Our Farm Economy
Agriculture constitutes roughly 20 percent of our state’s economy and provides one in every four Nebraska jobs. However, agriculture is more than Nebraska’s number one industry; it is a heritage and a way of life for people across our state. Governor Ricketts has made advancing Nebraska agriculture a top priority. A strong agricultural sector is an essential element of a growing, prosperous Nebraska. Through initiatives like the Livestock Friendly Counties program, now 44 counties strong, our state continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening agriculture for future generations.

Cutting Red Tape
More time and money spent complying with regulations leaves less for running an ag operation and building it for future generations. When Governor Ricketts took office, a web of red tape and unnecessary regulation had made it difficult for farm families to even operate the vehicles required in their operations. Working with the Department of Motor Vehicles, the State Patrol, and the Nebraska Cattlemen, GovernorRicketts supported a new designation for operators of vehicles being used in agricultural operations. Byremoving the requirement that ag producers obtain a Commercial Driver’s License, this reform has lifted a burden on farm families’ time and resources. Farmers and ranchers should be focused on feeding the world, not on unnecessary regulations from Lincoln.

A National Advocate for Nebraska Agriculture
As governor of a state with one of the nation’s leading agriculture sectors, Pete Ricketts has used his platform to fight for Nebraska farmers on the national stage. From Day One, Governor Ricketts has opposed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) assault on farming operations through the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. Under the leadership of the Governor and Attorney General Doug Peterson, Nebraska has been at the forefront of legal fights to end damaging regulation that harms Nebraska ag producers.

In October of 2017, Governor Ricketts hosted EPA administrator and former Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to discuss further reducing the burden of federal regulation on Nebraska’s agriculture industry.

Advancing Nebraska's Biofuels Industry
Biofuels play an important role in both Nebraska agriculture and our nation’s energy security. As the Chairman of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, Governor Ricketts has worked with the Trump administration to preserve the unique role of biofuels in America’s energy mix. Under Governor Ricketts’ leadership, the Coalition helped successfully persuade the EPA to maintain its commitment to the Renewable Fuel Standard.

The Coalition worked to prevent Washington lobbyists from tampering with point of obligation rules, preserving biofuel as a sustainable energy resource and an important Nebraska export.

In June of 2017, Governor Ricketts shared Nebraska’s story of energy innovation with President Donald J. Trump and industry leaders from across the country during a White House Energy Week policy roundtable.

Growing Nebraska through Value-Added Agriculture Investment
New investments in value-added agriculture have strengthened Nebraska’s ag sector over the last three years. From chick hatcheries and chicken processing plants to advanced ethanol production and bioscience facilities, Nebraska’s success in attracting multimilliondollar projects is a reflection of our state’s competitive advantages and strengthening agribusiness climate.

Promoting Nebraska Beef
Governor Ricketts has promoted Nebraska beef, the finest in the world, across the United States and in countries all around the globe. The Governor has advanced beef promotion activities in markets as varied as Japan, Italy, and even New York City, advocating the world-leading quality, safety, and health of this quintessential Nebraska export.

Opening Global Markets for Nebraska Beef'
Opening foreign markets to Nebraska beef producers has been a major component of Governor Ricketts’ Nebraska trade agenda. In the Ricketts administration’s time in office, Nebraska beef has gained or regained access to many new markets, bringing our products to consumers around the world.

Nebraska Beef Producers Leading the Nation
Nebraska beef producers are leading the industry in expanding the horizons of beef exports. In 2017, as China allowed the importation of U.S. beef for the first time in 14 years, Nebraska led the nation in beef exports to China. Through 2017, Nebraska beef accounted for over half of the beef exported to China. In 2016, Nebraska beef processor WR Reserve became the first U.S. firm to send a significant shipment of beef from the U.S. to Israel since Israel banned the importation of U.S. beef in 2003.

Building Nebraska
Investing in Infrastructure to Grow Nebraska
Governor Ricketts’ mission to grow Nebraska extends across the state, to rural and urban communities alike. Infrastructure is a critical component of this mission. Well-functioning infrastructure facilitates the flow of people and goods across Nebraska, and enables Nebraska products and services to reach customers across the nation and around the world. The Ricketts administration has prioritized investment in Nebraska’s roads and bridges, an investment that will pay dividends in the years ahead.

Expanding Funding for Local Infrastructure
Local government plays a central role in the maintenance and improvement of Nebraska roadways. The Nebraska Department of Transportation increased efficiency and made millions in new road funding available to cities and counties by increasing the federal swap rate.

Breaking New Ground
In June of 2017, Governor Ricketts joined Custer County officials to break ground on the first bridge project to be financed with matching funds from the County Bridge Match Program, one component of the Transportation Innovation Act. Governor Ricketts championed the Act, which dedicated $450 million in new investment for Nebraska infrastructure. While promoting innovations in the funding of infrastructure projects, Governor Ricketts remains dedicated to the principle of Pay As You Go. This approach will ensure sustainable improvement for years to come.

Taking Care of Our People
Governor Ricketts believes that the best way to provide a hand up to Nebraskans served by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is through a customer-focused strategy of maximizing efficiency and effectiveness. DHHS continues to undergo a department-wide transformation into an agency better equipped to take care of Nebraska’s most vulnerable citizens while delivering maximum value to the taxpayer.

Better Serving Nebraskans
DHHS has focused on improving performance where it matters most: everyday interactions with Nebraskans and stewardship of taxpayer dollars. As a result of process improvement efforts within DHHS, Nebraskans interacting with the agency have seen major improvements, including:

• Call wait times at the agency’s ACCESSNebraska call center have dropped from an average of almost 24 minutes in August 2014 to under five minutes in 25 out of the last 28 months.
• Previously, Nebraska’s mismanagement of SNAP applications was so severe that the state was threatened with the loss of $17 million in federal aid, a direct cost to Nebraska taxpayers. Now, processing is performing better than ever, and Nebraska’s federal funding is secure.

Improving Effectiveness for Nebraska Taxpayers
Governor Ricketts has demanded accountability and good stewardship in the use of DHHS tax dollars.

• A reemployment pilot program, a collaboration between DHHS and the Nebraska Department of Labor, seeks to transition Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to better-paying jobs where their need for public assistance is reduced or eliminated. The Grand Island pilot program yielded an average salary increase of $6,900, and helped half of the participating families either completely eliminate or reduce their use of SNAP assistance.
• A new Medicaid administration model introduced last year adds new oversight for Nebraska’s Medicaid program, increasing accountability to taxpayers. Through the proactive efforts of DHHS and the Ricketts administration’s leadership to address emerging issues, the transition has been handled smoothly. A Managed Care model will deliver better outcomes at lower cost for program participants across the state.

Bettering Service to Nebraska's Health Professionals
As Governor Ricketts says, “No matter how well we are serving the people of Nebraska today, we can always do a better job tomorrow.” When an internal review of DHHS processes revealed poor performance in its nurse licensing process, the Ricketts administration implemented significant reforms to provide better service to Nebraska’s frontline health professionals. Reforms included simplified applications, improved instructions and outreach to nursing applicants, and significantly reduced processing times. In fact, processing times have declined from an average of 96 days in November of 2015 to just 30 days in December of 2017. It’s now easier for nurses to submit accurate, complete materials and receive licenses in a timely manner. This is just one example of the many process improvements made possible through Nebraska’s Center for Operational Excellence, founded by Governor Ricketts to design and implement key process improvements across state agencies.

Committed to Women's Health
In 2017, Governor Ricketts signed LB195, “Cheri’s Law,” mandating that women receive information concerning breast density after a mammogram. This information equips women and their physicians to make better-informed decisions about their healthcare. In December of 2016, the Ricketts administration introduced WIC Journey, a set of reforms making the Women, Infants, and Children program more efficient and user-friendly. Commonsense policies are helping all Nebraskans served by DHHS live better lives.

Making Government Work Better
Often, the best course government can take is to get out of the way of the ingenuity and industriousness of Nebraska job creators. While working to transform the culture of state government, Governor Ricketts has eliminated many obstacles the state imposed on job creators across industries.

Cutting Red Tape
Nebraska’s Administrative Code contains 7.5 million words, and, by a conservative estimate, would take more than 10 weeks to read in its entirety. Rules and regulations should be understandable, pose as little a burden as possible, and most importantly, be necessary. In July of 2017, Governor Ricketts issued an executive order suspending all agency rulemaking and launching a review of existing state regulations. The review’s goal is the repeal or revision of any rule or regulation deemed overly burdensome or restrictive on Nebraskans.

Eliminating Redundancies in State Departments
“Bureaucracy expands to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy,” or so the saying goes. Governor Ricketts has fought this expansion in state government, and is working to implement reforms that

streamline operations and eliminate wasteful redundancies. Governor Ricketts merged the Departments of Aeroneautics and Roads into one Department of Transportation. The Ricketts administration also moved the Division of Veterans’ Homes from the Department of Health and Human Services to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. These reforms will generate long-term savings, ensure unity of mission, and improve the quality of services provided.

Promoting a Culture of Life
It’s not hard to find reflections of the culture of life that defines our state’s values. From small gestures of kindness to caring for the innocent and vulnerable, Nebraskans live out their values. Governor Ricketts has worked with the Legislature to advance policies that safeguard innocent life, preserve the dignityof people, and allow Nebraskans to express these values they hold most dear.

A Budget that Reflects Nebraska's Values
Using new authority granted by Congress and the Trump administration, Governor Ricketts has proposed ending the payment of Title X funding to abortion providers. This change is another step to ensuring taxpayer dollars do not support abortion providers in Nebraska.

"Choose Life" License Plate
In 2017, Governor Ricketts signed LB46, the first pro-life legislation passed in the Legislature in years. This law created the “Choose Life” Nebraska license plate. Additional revenue from the plate’s sale will supplement federal funds for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program.

Ensuring Compassionate Pregnancy Care
Governor Ricketts signed LB506, the “Compassion and Care for Medically Challenging Pregnancies Act,” in 2017, a continuation of his commitment to ensuring the dignity of innocent life. The bill makes Nebraska the first state in the nation to require that pregnant women, upon receiving the diagnosis of a lethal fetal abnormality, be provided with essential information about perinatal hospice services.

Improving the Provision of Developmental Disability Services
Through its focus on efficiency and customer service, the Ricketts administration has streamlined state processes for providing developmental disability services and helping families access these important programs more easily. Previously, a family applying for state developmental disability services had to fill out 14 pages of paperwork. Now, this application has been shortened to only three pages.

Before Governor Ricketts was elected to office, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) took an average of 69 days to review a disability services eligibility application. Today, that review period has been cut down to only 16 days, a nearly 80 percent reduction in wait time.

Supporting Our Veterans
Streamlining Veterans' Services
Working with the Legislature, Governor Ricketts oversaw the merger of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Veterans’ Homes with the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Bringing all state services to Nebraska’s veterans under one leadership team has enabled greater coordination and focus in providing top-quality service, while also saving taxpayer dollars. The state’s veteran-centered approach enables more effective and efficient service to our state’s greatest heroes.

Supporting Military Spouses
The men and women serving our country in uniform are joined in selfless service by their families, who also make great sacrifices in defense of our freedoms. Governor Ricketts has made it a priority for our state to be as welcoming and accommodating as possible to military families. With the Legislature, he worked to make military spouses’ job transitions to Nebraska simpler and easier by removing certainoccupational licensing requirements and expanding the state’s veterans hiring preference to include military spouses.^[21]