Columns

Mid-summer has passed and with it the morning serenade by the various birds nesting in my yard has come to a close. The young birds have grown and left the nest and there is no need to protect a nesting territory…so the birds shut up! Not every species has finished nesting.

The Callaway Village Board voted at their Aug. 5 meeting to raise water and sewer rates in Callaway. The present monthly water costs are $2.50 for residential, $1.50 for commercial, and $1.25 for sewer. The hospital, school, and rest home have higher rates. The board will review all present rates at their September meeting and then decide on a new price.

Rural Economic Development. This is a subject that has been a central focus in statewide discussions for most of my adult life. It would seem that one thing that most hardworking Nebraskans agree on is that the key to long-term tax relief and growing the “good life” is to continue to grow opportunities to not only keep Nebraska talent in Nebraska, but also attract talent to Nebraska. In short, grow our economy.

An Udder Kind “Oh what a lovely cow,” said the cute young miss from the city. “But why hasn’t it any horns?” There are many reasons,” replied the farmer.

I’ve written about “spider time” before and it is once again upon us. Spiders are everywhere! They are outside and inside.

August has arrived quickly, and I continue preparing for interim hearings and early discussions about potential legislation for the 2026 session. These hearings are a critical part of understanding the challenges Nebraskans face and shaping effective, responsive policy. This week, I want to highlight LR152, an interim study focused on the real costs Nebraskans incur when complying with state regulations. Whenever a state agency proposes a new rule or amends an existing one, it’s required to provide a fiscal impact statement estimating potential costs to state agencies, political subdivisions, and the public. However a closer look reveals that these statements often claim “no impact” or list the effect on the regulated public as “indeterminate.” I would argue that every regulation/ rule comes with a cost. LR152 raises important questions: Are those estimates accurate? Are businesses and individuals taking on significant compliance costs that aren’t being measured—costs like new reporting requirements or additional education and certification to qualify for a license? The study also asks whether the current process for evaluating these impacts provides enough transparency and accountability. As rules and regulations gave continued to grow, so have concerns about their hidden financial effects. Through LR152, lawmakers hope to better understand those burdens and determine whether stronger legislative oversight is warranted and ultimately a deeper look at eliminating unwarranted regulation. A hearing for LR152 is scheduled for October 3.

The Sense of a Goose When you see geese flying along in “V” formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following.

Why do you run? This was a question I was asked often back in the day when my belly was smaller and my feet weren’t affected by arthritis. My simple answer was because running, like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer, feels so good when you stop!

Attending the 2025 Statesmen Academy I was honored to be nominated by Nebraska Family Alliance to attend the 2025 Statesmen Academy, a five-day leadership program hosted by Family Policy Alliance Foundation. This unique opportunity is designed to equip state legislators with tools to lead effectively and faithfully in public service.

Our lives are dotted with milestones, and I was reminded of an upcoming one for me last week. I received my Medicare card in the mail.