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| Sen. Deb Fischer |
In addition to Nebraska’s low unemployment rate, our state is a leader in job creation. Nebraska businesses and local communities are the driving force behind creating new jobs, with 40,000 of those new jobs in the Omaha metro area alone.
This is real economic growth and Nebraskans should be proud. While I am pleased to see the president tout Nebraska’s successes, these achievements are not the result of his policies. Rather, they are due to the hard work of our citizens and the fiscally-conservative policies we enact.
Hard work and personal responsibility are core values that are ingrained in our daily lives. Our economic strength is also derived from wise decisions made at the state level. Many of these sound policies were put in place when I served in the Nebraska Legislature. Each year, reckless federal spending has grown our national debt to nearly $19 trillion. But in Nebraska, our legislators are forced to spend responsibly and balance the budget. This is not by accident. Balancing Nebraska’s budget is mandated by our state’s constitution, and, unlike other states, our constitution does not allow extensive borrowing and debt.
Although smart policies are a large part of Nebraska’s success, our agriculture industry give us a unique economic advantage. In Nebraska, one in four jobs are tied to agriculture. Our farmers, livestock producers, and business owners are the best in world. They are known for utilizing their knowledge and skills to grow the economy and ensure our state’s number one industry continues to help Nebraska’s economy thrive. In 2013, Nebraska’s $6.6 billion in agricultural exports provided $8.1 billion in additional economic activity.
Nebraska is a prime example of how wise policies can enable unique industries in states across the country to flourish. In the U.S. Senate, I am working to bring this Nebraska common sense to the federal level.
Our citizens and agriculture producers rely on America’s roads, highways, bridges, and railroads to bring their products to market. Strong infrastructure is an essential component for a flourishing economy. That is why I was pleased to work on the multi-year highway bill that was signed into law last month. This important legislation will bring $1.5 billion to Nebraska over the next five years, enabling critical infrastructure projects to move forward. This influx of resources will make our roads safer and more efficient, and it will lead to stronger communities and new jobs in our state.
In addition to strengthening existing industries in Nebraska, our healthy business environment is encouraging many innovative companies to develop in our state. CNBC ranked Nebraska seventh in its “America’s Top States for Business 2015” scorecard. I have visited many of these Nebraska businesses, which ensure that technological advancements are benefiting consumers and industries across the country and around the globe.
To help these businesses keep pace with the innovations that are changing the world, I have been working hard in the Senate to see that federal regulations are appropriate for today’s world. On that front, two bills I introduced, the E-Label Act and E-Warranty Act, have been signed into law. These important measures ease regulatory requirements on manufacturers by allowing them to post their warranty and labeling information online. This common-sense change provides businesses with more options and lower overhead costs, which results in lower prices for consumers.
The Nebraska way works. It’s now time to apply these principles on a national scale. As your Senator, I will continue to reach across the aisle to work with my colleagues on policies that sustain a prosperous Nebraska and a stronger America.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
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