Dave Nabity for Governor

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Nebraska's Issues
STATE GOVERNMENT

A MATTER OF STEWARDSHIP
As I sit at kitchen tables all across the state meeting with folks in coffee shops and discussing the challenges faced by small business owners, farmers and ranchers, I hear story after story of how difficult it is to set aside a few dollars after fulfilling those monthly financial obligations.

We need to give Nebraskans a chance to build personal wealth by putting into place sound economic policies, including a lower tax burden.

It seems more times than not, “there’s too much month left at the end of the money.” That needs to change. We need to give Nebraskans a chance to build personal wealth by putting into place sound economic policies, including a lower tax burden. Families and businesses have to account for every dollar they spend, because they understand waste can result in no summer vacation, no business expansion, no new farm equipment and no savings account. State government needs to have that same mindset and begin to account for every dollar it spends. It's a matter of stewardship – in the home, on the farm, at the business, and yes, in state government.

BIGGER AND BIGGER AND BIGGER
Nebraska’s rate of spending during the 1990s ranked ninth highest among all fifty states. In those ten years the budget nearly doubled going from $1.2 billion to $2.3 billion. That’s more than one billion – a thousand million – dollars of additional spending in ten years.

It's time to reverse the spiraling upward trend in spending and make state government leaner, more efficient and much more effective.

A whopping 96% increase! If stacked in one dollar bills, that billion dollars would climb to more than 366,000 feet or approximately 70 miles into space. And while approximately $300 billion of the increase was due to federally mandated entitlement programs such as Medicaid, and state aid to schools increased significantly, the fact still remains that during that same period inflation was only 30%, and the average budget growth among all the states was 63%. State government just seems to get bigger and bigger and bigger. Where will it stop? Nobody knows. It's time to reverse the spiraling upward trend in spending and make state government leaner, more efficient and much more effective.

OUTSIDE THE BOX
When it comes to saving taxpayer dollars let’s consider the following areas. First, let's rid state government of waste and unnecessary duplication. Second, let’s discuss the idea of requiring a supermajority in the legislature to pass any tax increase. Third, let’s examine how we define a “necessary” government expense. Fourth, let's consider including a "sunset" clause in every bill calling for a review of the bill at a date certain, and then terminate the bill if it's shown to be ineffective and wasteful. Fifth, let's look at competitive contracting for government services which will keep the cost down, while never sacrificing quality.

I believe the 21st century calls for a different mindset. It calls for bold new ideas. It calls for thinking outside the box.

Finally, let's study the question of whether or not there are social services the government is responsible for that could better be handled by civic, business and/or non-profit organizations. If 1) an organization is willing, 2) the state can save money, and 3) the organization is able to deliver services effectively, then I believe we should consider this as a serious option. Are there organizations willing to partner with the state in the area of social need? I don’t think we know the answer, because I don’t think we've ever asked the question. It’s always difficult in politics to depart from the conventional wisdom we’re so used to following when it comes to solving the challenges facing Nebraska. I believe the 21st century calls for a different mindset. It calls for bold new ideas. It calls for thinking outside the box.

WILL, COURAGE, LEADERSHIP - IT'S A CHOICE
There's no question we need to reform the way in which state government conducts business. We are in a vicious circle where spending dictates what our tax policy will be, and in turn, our tax policy becomes the justification for additional spending.

We are in a vicious circle where spending dictates what our tax policy will be, and in turn, our tax policy becomes the justification for additional spending.

This never-ending pattern of "tax and spend - spend and tax" feeding off each other must end before we implode. If we continue down this road the result will be unsustainable spending levels accompanied by unmanageable property, sales and income taxes that will drive out additional retirees, college graduates and businesses to more tax-friendly states. It's time to turn the corner and take a serious look at every expenditure in Lincoln along with every tax rate. I understand the goal of cutting spending and lowering taxes is easy while accomplishing that goal is difficult. However, it can be done if elected officials choose to exercise the political will, courage and leadership.

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