January 31, 2005

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

I am pleased to have this opportunity to share with you my priorities, commitment and vision for our state, which I presented in my first State of the State address.

The fact that I am the first Lieutenant Governor in 45 years to become Governor by operation of our state constitution only intensifies my determination to provide insightful and effective leadership. I will do everything in my power to earn the trust, respect and confidence of the people of this great state. My promise to each Nebraskan is that I will not shy away from difficult issues.

When it comes to setting the future course for our state, I intend to lead a statewide conversation about the direction we are headed. I am committed to making our state an even better place in which to live, work and raise a family. That’s why I am asking every Nebraskan to send me a letter or email with your thoughts and suggestions. I have reached out to citizens all across our state with that invitation, from Scottsbluff to Falls City and many communities in between.

The State of the State address presented an appropriate opportunity to identify the four priorities that will guide my decisions as Governor. I will focus on education, economic vitality, efficiency in government, and protecting Nebraska families.

Our children are our hope for the future, and we have an obligation to provide them with the tools to not only compete, but succeed. There is no more powerful tool than knowledge. The quality education I received growing up in Nebraska helped me to accomplish many things throughout my years in public service, including becoming Governor.

Economic vitality will be a central focus of my leadership. Nebraska’s population shows only modest growth while the average age of our citizenry increases and it is critically important that we take steps to expand our economy.

Inspiring growth requires that special attention be paid to small business development, entrepreneurial support, business attraction, worker recruitment and training. It also means exploring new opportunities in the areas of biotechnology, value-added agriculture, and foreign markets. My budget sends a message to small businesses and entrepreneurs, particularly in rural Nebraska, that we are eager to support their efforts to expand local economies for the benefit of businesses, employees and the entire state.

Technology has emerged as a key pathway to efficiency. It is helping to bring health care services to the smallest of our communities, in addition to revolutionizing farming and opening new doors of learning in our schools. We must build on the incredible progress already underway. That means striving to be a customer-friendly and customer-responsive government in all that we do.

All of this matters little, however, if we fail to protect our families and provide for safe communities. To ensure that we do not take the good life we enjoy here in Nebraska for granted, I have already proposed legislation to continue our fight against methamphetamine use in our state, and my budget prioritizes funding for 21 new state troopers.

I believe our citizens are ready for change and I want to begin making the necessary changes in state government to meet the challenges of the future. It is time to put Nebraska's future interests above any past special interests. With input from our citizens, I am confident that we can meet the challenges before us and ensure a vibrant future for our state.