As many of you know, I grew up on a rented farm in Clay County, Nebraska, with seven brothers and sisters. We knew what it was like to make do with less. We really had no choice. We also learned that hard work was a way to make money and buy the items that you needed. The connection of hard work and paying for what you need makes you appreciate what you had that much more. We were fortunate that we lived on a farm, so we could raise chickens to grow our own eggs, and mom would occasionally put an old laying hen in the pressure cooker for delicious chicken noodle soup or creamed chicken over home-grown mashed potatoes. We also enjoyed French toast, pancakes, fried potatoes, and, occasionally, we would have a hog butchered to diversify the meat options.

We would clearly have qualified for SNAP (then food stamps) and bulk commodities, but my parents were not willing to accept government support. Of course, we also had no health insurance, dental coverage, and other modern-day safety nets. It is for that reason that I have been slow to embrace so many of the bills that ask taxpayers to fund programs that support such programs.

I know that times have changed over the years, and with the changing times, I have grown to understand that society has changed as well. Single- or no-parent households, addiction problems, and generational poverty all have contributed to more dependence on the government to provide families with the basics. There are also fewer people living on farms and ranches. But the question remains, where do you draw the line and how many taxpayer dollars should be spent on these programs?

I do want to make it clear that I fully understand that there are children truly in need due to food insecurity, and healthcare needs should be provided for. But I also know that we must guard against those who take advantage of the system along the way and have guardrails in place to protect the taxpayer.

Much of next session will center around how to strategically cut agency budgets. While our priority will be to cut waste and improve efficiencies to provide comparable levels of service for less cost, we may also need to make decisions about whether certain programs continue – either at all or at the current level. The Governor is targeting a reduction in state spending of $500 million annually. Spending at the state level must be held in check, just as legislators are asking locally elected officials to do the same. Ask any grain farmer today how they are dealing with lower grain prices. They could give many of us a tutorial on how to find efficiencies and lower costs.

The theme you will be hearing from some in the body will be that conservatives are placing tax cuts for the “wealthy” ahead of kids. The fact is, we are helping to make Nebraska more competitive with other states to attract and retain businesses and other taxpayers (wealthy or not) to our state. By growing our economy and increasing job opportunities, we can broaden the tax base and, in turn, reduce the tax burden on citizens. It is easy to target people who are successful, but they pay for the social programs that we have today. They are also often significant contributors to local non-profits that provide critical services in Nebraska communities. Keeping businesses and high-paid employees here, along with everyone else, is critical to growing our state. We must be competitive.

Since the pandemic, our spending on social safety nets has grown exponentially. They must be trimmed back and controlled going forward. Starting a program and growing it is easy, and cutting back is hard. We must find a way to find the right balance.

In closing, I want to update you on my health situation. I am doing physical therapy three days a week in Lincoln and making great progress. I will be walking unassisted very soon. Julie and I plan to participate in the Hershey parade Saturday the 23rd and have been able to spend more time in the District as my mobility improves. We love the opportunity to visit one-on-one with constituents and hope to see you in Hershey!

It is a pleasure serving as your State Senator. I enjoy the challenge and will continue to do my best to serve the interests of District 42. You can reach me at mjacobson@leg.ne.gov or 402-471-2729.