Western Nebraska Taxpayers Association

By MARGERY A. BECK / The Associated Press | Posted: Friday, February 19, 2010


OMAHA -- Rural bankers believe that a hiring drought, fear of anemic commodity prices and concern over the high cost of farming are hurting the Midwest's rural economy, according to survey results released Friday.

Bankers from 11 Midwest and Plains states who participated in the Rural Mainstreet survey were asked to identify the biggest economic challenge to the region's economy in 2010. More than a third -- 38 percent -- said they expect a lack of new hiring by businesses to be the most significant hurdle.

About 30 percent said weak commodity prices will be the largest problem, while 16 percent cited expectations of high input prices to farm, such as for fertilizer, animal feed and fuel.

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Sunday September 20, 2009
By Joe Dejka
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
 
 
Teachers across Nebraska are winning pay raises in a tough economy, and union officials credit stimulus money and a controversial letter from the governor.

The pay raises have come despite uncertainty in how school districts will cover expanding payrolls when stimulus money runs out.

Some school board members have complained that Gov. Dave Heineman wrote a letter encouraging teachers union leaders to work with school districts to spend the stimulus for better salaries.

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Published: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 4:14 AM CDT

Mike Groene, the president of the Western Nebraska Taxpayers Association, is a great asset to North Platte and Nebraska.

He is the person who will stand up to the crowd, the person who is unafraid to look at the emperor and say "he's not wearing any clothes." He is the person who will stand up to the momentum of government, the momentum of government boards and the momentum of increasing taxation.

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