Gubernatorial candidates share how they would fix taxes, workforce development

On Thursday, six gubernatorial candidates had a chance to introduce themselves to voters and share how they plan on addressing some of the biggest issues in the state.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – On Thursday, six gubernatorial candidates had a chance to introduce themselves to voters and share how they plan on addressing some of the biggest issues in the state.

The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce hosted a Gubernatorial Candidates Forum at the Cornhusker Marriott.

The six participants were Republicans Jim Pillen (Columbus), Charles Herbster (Falls City), Brett Lindstrom (Omaha), Theresa Thibodeau (Omaha), Breland Ridenour (Elkorn) and Democrat Carol Blood (Bellevue).

This was not a typical debate, where candidates go back and forth on the issues. Instead, they were given questions in advance and were given a specific amount of time to answer them.

Candidates recognize that addressing income taxes and property taxes will be a priority for whoever is elected governor.

“We can lower taxes all we want, but if we continue spending, taxes will only continue to go up,” Thibodeau said.

“We don’t need a tax cut for Charles W. Herbster, Jim Pillen, or Pete Ricketts,” Herbster said. “What we need a tax cut for is for teachers, hospital workers, small business owners, and people on the street that are the engine of our economy.”

“Property taxes are so out of whack, the three legged stool is so far over, that we can’t sit on it,” Pillen said. “And it’s not just affecting farmers and ranchers. It’s affecting every single Nebraskan from the [Missouri] River out to Harrison, Nebraska.”

Another issue facing Nebraska’s next governor is how to keep talented young Nebraskans from leaving the state to neighboring states.

“We don’t have a welcoming environment in Nebraska,” Blood said. “When you talk to young people as to why they’re leaving, they are leaving for better job opportunities, but many of them feel their voices aren’t heard.”

“When we’re talking about millennials, we’re talking about Gen Z, the 18 to 35 individuals, they want amenities, they want walkability, they want to be on Main Street,” Lindstrom said. “That doesn’t mean just Omaha and Lincoln. That means really all across the state of Nebraska.”

“We need to let the country know why we’re such a great state,” Ridenour said. “And we need to start bringing more people here.

Pillen and Herbster have raised the most money for their campaign, with Pillen raising $5.4 million and Herbster raising $4.9 million, per the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.

The Republican primary is scheduled for May 10. The gubernatorial election is November 8.