Greetings from your State Capitol. Agriculture is Nebraska’s number one industry, and modern agriculture is the backbone of the State’s economy. I am proud to have been elected to represent a rural area of the State in the Nebraska Legislature that has an incredibly diverse agriculture economy. There are irrigated and non-irrigated fields of corn, beans and alfalfa, and specialty crops. There are hog production, cow/calf, and feedlot operations which produce high quality animals using the most progressive production methods. There are also major packing and distribution industries. These operations have worked together and collaborated with me to address public policy issues pending in the Legislature. We know for certain that for rural areas to survive and thrive in an agriculturally based economy, we need to meet and exceed the expectations of rural residents related to local governance, tax policy, and agricultural production innovation.

Regarding local control, I have been a strong supporter of public schools, and locally elected officials. During legislative debates, I continually questioned the wisdom of levy limits on school boards and other local governments that have shown, without a doubt, that they are doing all they can to stay within existing limits. I believe it's wrong-headed for the State to supersede decisions made by locally elected officials who are much better suited to respond to local needs.

Regarding tax policy, every year that I’ve been in office, I supported each and every measure that allocated State funds to directly reduce property taxes. The State is prohibited from levying property taxes so the only way the Legislature can address property tax reduction is to direct State funds, generated from sales and income taxes, to the cause. We have provided direct property tax relief through reducing property tax bills and instituted a newer program that provides an income tax credit to property owners for a portion of the property taxes paid. Since I’ve been in office, the amount of State funds used to reduce property taxes now totals nearly $1.5 billion and represents 15% of the State’s budget. In addition to property tax relief, I worked to lower income taxes, and eliminate taxes on Social Security and military retirement.

Regarding agriculture innovation, I directed $25 million in State funds to the construction of a companion building to the United States Department of Agriculture’s new Agriculture Center that will be built on University of Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln. Another $25 million must first be raised through private sources. The national center will staff up to 42 federal research scientists and engineers as well as an additional 100 scientific support staff, including students. The companion building will support Nebraska’s agricultural entrepreneurs and startup companies.

As I wind down my service representing our area in the Legislature, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our rural area of the State for the support and contributions to our success. We know it is only through collaborative efforts that we can grow agriculture and grow our State’s economy.

As always, feel free to contact me anytime at (402) 471-2642 or mwilliams@leg.ne.gov. Thanks again for your continued support.

Matt