Governor may wish he had a do-over

Off the Record — Tom Kelly, Publisher

Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman may wish he had the past month as a do-over.
A lot of people are asking why he has pushed so hard to shake up the Nebraska tax system.
His plan to eliminate the state income tax and replace it with expanded sales tax collections has definitely gotten everyone’s attention.
Senator Mike Johanns’ announcement Monday that he will not seek a second term in two years opened a door the current governor may want to walk through.
If he does choose to run for the Senate, the governor may have some explaining to do.
The tax proposal caught people off guard. The fact is, people don’t like it when the rules they’re used to playing by start changing.
***
While the now-withdrawn plan seemed fraught with problems, I believe Heineman’s intentions were good. He said he wants to make Nebraska a more attractive place to live and do business. I see no reason to doubt that. However, he miscalculated the burden it would have placed on agriculture.
Dave Heineman has been a good governor. He has used conservative principles to keep the state fiscally sound. He has maintained a close relationship with farmers and businessmen.
However, those are the two groups which were most alarmed by his tax proposal. He will have to work hard in the next two years to regain their trust and support.
***
I’ve grown a little tired of talk radio. It is negative by nature, and too much of it can put me in the wrong frame of mind.
On the recommendation of Ed Kaup, I’ve started listening to audiobooks. Ed said he always has an audio book playing in his truck.
I was a little embarrassed that I no longer had a library card. Librarian Mary Jo Maack issued me a shiny blue card, and pointed me to the east wall of the building. I was impressed when I saw shelf after shelf of audio books.
It took about a week to listen to “Killing Kennedy,” the story of the John F. Kennedy’s assassination, narrated by Bill O’Reilly. I listened to “Killing Lincoln” the following week.
My drive time has become more enjoyable. At the risk of increasing the competition for books, I highly recommend a visit to the library.