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Klark Byrd
From: Sidney Sun Telegraph
SIDNEY – The concerns of eastern Nebraskans are not necessarily the concerns of western Nebraskans. This is a lesson Democrat Sen. Ben Nelson learned on Monday as he met with constituents in Scottsbluff, Gering and Sidney to hear their views on a wide range of issues, including highway funding, international trade agreements, job creation and the next Farm Bill.
“While we share many of the same values across Nebraska, the concerns in Gering and Scottsbluff are sometimes very different from those in Lincoln and Omaha,” Nelson said.
Concerns related to flooding and agriculture seemed to be the highest priority among residents of the western part of the state, Nelson told The Sidney Sun-Telegraph.
In Sidney, Nelson said transportation issues were a hot topic. He said he supports the completion of the proposed Heartland Expressway and expressed disappointment that the project was not included on the state Roads Department one- and five-year plan.
“Without adequate transportation options, rural America will continue to lose jobs,” he said.
Nelson said one constituent pointed out that western Nebraskans often feel left out of farm legislation because of the heavy national focus on corn and soybeans, while there is a lot more diversity in the crops grown out west. Nelson said he understands that concern and has mentioned it to Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who is the chairperson of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
Another producer mentioned the importance of protecting programs in the Farm Bill, such as ACRE and SURE, despite the need for budget cuts. Nelson said he believes those programs should be improved and made more efficient, but he does think budget cuts need to be fair to rural Americans.
Nelson was also asked about the status of pending trade agreements with South Korea, Columbia and Panama, which have the potential to open up new markets for Nebraska agricultural products.
“Increasing trade isn’t flashy, but Nebraskans know that trade is a big part of what keeps our economy so sound. Last year, we exported $5.8 billion of Nebraska products, trade that supports nearly 100,000 jobs in our state,” Nelson said. “The Korea trade agreement, for instance, would boost exports of soybeans and that will boost jobs in Nebraska. The trade agreements with Colombia and Panama would have a similar impact by opening access to their markets for Nebraska exports, prompting more job creation.
“With unemployment at more than 9 percent nationally, focusing on job creation should be one way to bring Washington together,” he added. “Members of Congress need to stop listening to what their party leaders and special interests tell them to do, and vote for these trade agreements.”
As election year 2012 approaches, Nelson faces opposition from five Republican candidates. The senator has not yet announced whether he will run to retain his seat, and he’s been careful not divulge such information, he said.
“I’m still focused on 2011,” Nelson said. “I must fulfill the commitments of my current six-year term. There’s still a lot of work to do this year.”
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