4-year term, limited to two consecutive terms, $12,000Members of the country’s only unicameral legislative body create laws and make the rules for Nebraskans under certain constitutional limitations. This body also oversees many health care services and decides how much money public schools (from kindergartens to colleges) receive each year. If you are concerned about who pays how much in taxes and how those funds get spent, this is a very important election.
Education
JD & MS in Government Organization and Leadership
Volunteer experience
Kim Foundation Loss Team Board Advisor - current, Honor and Remember Omaha Liaison - former, Center for Holistic Development Board Member - former.
My top concern is sustainably funding public education and all of the programs necessary to support a diverse and expanding population in the district. To address this concern, we need to evaluate the TEEOSA formula and commit to diversifying how we fund public schools so as to avoid the push and pull relationship between property owners and public education.
Create regulations on the local level that emulate those of the Clean Air Act, such as establishing cap-and-trade programs and permit systems. Conduct regular studies of soil and chemical drainage into streams and rivers and follow up on sources of pollution. Additionally, remove residential restrictions to collecting and using rain water to help conserve water.
My top priorities include increasing people's access to mental health resources, ensuring public schools are fully funded, providing families with resources when having and raising children, and addressing the worker shortage in Nebraska. We must create more mental health wings in hospitals and invest in crisis intervention teams. We must improve upon the TEEOSA formula and diversify funding for public education, so that there is never a budget shortfall. We must make childcare more affordable and we must allow women and men to take time from work after having a child to bond with and raise them. All of these policies will serve to bring people back into the workforce, particularly increasing the availability of childcare, as well as others
Education
Creighton University (BSBA 1976) (Juris Doctor 1981)
Current Public Office, dates held
None
Past Public Office, dates held
Metropolitan Comunity College Board of Governors (elected to 4 year term 2009)
Military experience
None
Volunteer experience
Doane University Board of Trustees (2016-Present); El Museo Latino (Board Chair, 2016-Present); Leukemia/Lymphoma of Nebraska Board Member (1993-2020); Creighton University Men's and Women's Cross Country Volunteer Coach
The sustainability of education is in jeopardy as the property tax levy continues to rise, (with no apparent end in sight), yet the majority of school districts continue to increase their annual budgets. A strong education system is vital for continued growth and prosperity for our State. A lid on budget increases needs to be considered through a checks and balances on spending. The current budgets do not seem to address the teacher shortages nor the pay scale of teachers, yet costs increase. The most recent $300M injection by the State should have resulted in the possibility of lower property tax levies for education.
I would strongly support any measures that were financially feasible to support access to clean water for all Nebraskans. All choices would need to be the result of a thorough investigation among alternatives presented, along with a plan for long-term financial sustainability.
Property tax: We need to find alternatives to the current taxing system that funds public education. The current system bars entry into the housing market for young Nebraskans and drives away older Nebraskans to less punitive taxed States. The solution is NOT a consumption tax as proposed under the EPIC tax, as that will drive foreign investment into our State and leave the infrastructure costs to Nebraska residents. An increase in Sales tax will have similar results and penalize middle income Nebraskans.
Workforce : Nebraska cannot grow without a strong workforce, and we need to place an emphasis on having a workforce to match the increase in job opportunities created by State tax incentives to businesses to locate or stay in Nebraska.
