Three Republican candidates for Nebraska governor debate taxes, water, broadband

HOLDREGE, Neb. (KMTV) — Three of Nebraska’s high 4 GOP candidates for governor visited this agricultural hub Monday to debate taxes, water, broadband and extra.

State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, former Sen. Theresa Thibodeau and Conklin Co. CEO Charles Herbster debated questions for an hour from reporters based mostly in Kearney, Lexington and Axtell. 

College of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen held a phone city corridor throughout Monday’s debate, the final earlier than the Could 10 major election. Pillen has averted debates along with his fellow candidates, As an alternative, he attended candidate boards.

About 200 individuals attended the Holdrege debate, hosted by NTV Information on the Phelps County Agricultural Middle. Every candidate spent important time speaking about plans to deal with property taxes.

Lindstrom received particular about state support for colleges, saying he needs to ensure each Ok-12 college district in Nebraska will get equalization support. Proper now, he mentioned, 157 districts don’t. 

His concept to vary that: Work with the Legislature to redirect a portion of current gross sales tax {dollars} over a number of years towards a purpose of decreasing property taxes by 20%. 

Thibodeau mentioned she needs to audit and minimize spending on ineffective state applications and companies so that each youngster in Nebraska can get the identical quantity of state support to varsities.

“If we grew meals as a lot as we develop authorities, heck, no person would ever go hungry,” Thibodeau mentioned.

Herbster mentioned he needs to rebuild Nebraska’s tax system from the underside up, hoping to mannequin what South Dakota does, with no revenue tax, or what Iowa does with a blended method.

“Persons are leaving as a result of we’ve a tax code that’s driving enterprise away, driving our younger individuals away,” Herbster mentioned.

Battle on Perkins County Canal

On water, Lindstrom and Thibodeau backed Gov. Pete Ricketts’ plan to spend as much as $500 million on the Perkins County Canal mission to assist Nebraska sue Colorado and defend water flows into Nebraska from the fast-growing state.

“We’ll see if it continues to be a $500 million mission,” Lindstrom mentioned. “However we’ll proceed striving to guard Nebraska’s water rights.”

Herbster expressed skepticism about the fee, saying he didn’t really feel he knew sufficient but, with out going to Colorado, to resolve whether or not the state’s funding could be worthwhile.

Thibodeau criticized Herbster for not placing within the work she mentioned was wanted for his marketing campaign, repeating criticism she leveled towards Herbster when she give up the marketing campaign as his operating mate. She mentioned she had already traveled to Colorado and talked to farmers.

She criticized Lindstrom for approving a six-cent fuel tax enhance in 2015. Lindstrom mentioned  Monday that the rise was an funding in sustaining Nebraska roads and bridges, together with Interstate 80.

Lindstrom repeatedly emphasised the significance of investing state {dollars} to assist make broadband extra accessible in Nebraska’s rural communities. Herbster and Thibodeau agreed.

Thibodeau and Lindstrom mentioned they wish to hold the Nebraska Division of Training accountable to the elected Nebraska Board of Training, moderately than place it below the governor’s management. 

On the identical query, Herbster repeated his criticism in regards to the want for prayer in colleges. He mentioned college leaders must cease treating dad and mom like terrorists. He additionally mentioned Nebraska has too many unwed moms. 

Medical marijuana

One of many night’s exchanges involved medical marijuana. Lindstrom mentioned he helps efforts to make the drug accessible, so long as “we are able to do it responsibly.”

Thibodeau mentioned she would assist medical marijuana in capsule or liquid kind, however not if the legislation permits individuals with permits to develop marijuana vegetation at residence for medical use.

Herbster mentioned he’d depart the choice on medical marijuana as much as Nebraska voters. In the event that they accepted it, he mentioned, he would tax the substance and use the cash to offset property taxes.

When a panelist requested about Pillen’s absence from debates, Thibodeau and Herbster repeated their criticisms of Pillen’s management. Lindstrom mentioned it was Pillen’s selection to not take part.

Every candidate obtained a query geared towards them alone at one level throughout the debate. Lindstrom was requested what makes him conservative past his assist for tax cuts.

He cited his pro-life stance with no exceptions, his A-rating from the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation and his votes for property tax aid throughout eight years within the Legislature.

Thibodeau was requested why she determined to run for governor as an alternative of remaining as Herbster’s operating mate. She mentioned she grew pissed off that Herbster wasn’t clear or ready. 

Herbster was requested how he deliberate to work with girls within the Legislature after the Nebraska Examiner’s report that eight girls, together with State Sen. Julie Slama, have alleged that he groped them.

Herbster mentioned political hit jobs occur in political races and mentioned “they” did the identical to former President Donald Trump. He mentioned he, as a born-again Christian, can work with anyone,  “even those that have attacked me.”

Nebraska Examiner is a part of States Newsroom, a community of stories bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Cate Folsom for questions: data@nebraskaexaminer.com. Observe Nebraska Examiner on Fb and Twitter.

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