Nebraska Panhandle News

Yesterday, during a weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed the One Big Beautiful Bill and its implications for Nebraska families.

"Nebraska is what America is supposed to be," said Ricketts. "We believe in hard work. We provide for our families and take care of our communities. We defend our freedom. The One Big Beautiful Bill reflects those values and delivers results where they matter most."

Ricketts emphasized that Nebraska workers have been under pressure due to inflation, overregulation, and rising costs attributed to the Biden administration. He stated that the bill provides historic tax relief and educational opportunities, helping Nebraskans retain more of their earnings while protecting Nebraska values.

"President Trump and Congressional Republicans are determined to put money back into Americans’ pockets," Ricketts remarked. He highlighted key provisions such as eliminating federal tax on tips up to $25,000 per year and providing a deduction of up to $12,500 for overtime.

The senator shared an anecdote about a TSA officer who expressed gratitude for the no tax on overtime provision, emphasizing that it benefits various professions including nurses, factory workers, police officers, and servers.

Without this bill, Ricketts noted that the average Nebraska family would face a $2,400 increase in taxes—money they can now spend on essentials or save for vacations.

"The Biden administration punished hard-working Americans with inflation and wasted taxpayer dollars," he claimed. "The One Big Beautiful Bill helps Americans save taxes and lays the groundwork for decades of economic growth."

Further benefits include increasing the Child Tax Credit to $2,200 and enhancing childcare-related credits to support working parents across Nebraska.

"The employer-provided childcare credit was expanded from $150,000 to $500,000," Ricketts explained. This encourages businesses to invest more in childcare options for employees.

On education reform within the bill: "American families now have the opportunity to choose the education that fits their children best." The bill introduces new tax credits supporting K through 12 students' access to better educational opportunities.

One priority mentioned by Ricketts is extending Pell Grant eligibility to short-term job training programs—a policy he led as Governor through initiatives like the Nebraska Youth Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Agriculture-related assets are exempted from FAFSA calculations under this bill—a move intended not to penalize farm families when seeking financial aid for higher education.

Finally, Ricketts concluded: "The One Big Beautiful Bill defends Nebraska’s values... This is how we fight for Nebraska."