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McCoy outlines plans to deal with taxes, other issues during Sidney visit

Beau McCoy had to laugh when asked what he might do about the persistent wind, if elected governor.

The candidate recounted how, on his drive toward Sidney on Tuesday, he could have saved gas by putting the truck in neutral, allowing the tailwind to push the vehicle down the road.

With less than two weeks to go before Nebraska's May 13 primary, however, McCoy was quite willing to brave 40 to 60 mile per hour gusts to visit again with local residents.

In addition to the wind and the big issue talking points, he took time to address other dilemmas facing the western part of the state.

"I wouldn't call it a little issue, but how the marijuana laws in Colorado have affected sheriff's departments here--east of North Platte nobody's talking about it," he observed.

McCoy believes that the Colorado law has created serious challenges for law enforcement officers in Nebraska.

"I think we will have a real problem," he said.

He is concerned that local law enforcement agencies will have difficulty budgeting for the increased work involved as marijuana is transported illegally into the state. If elected, he said, he would push legislation to assist county and city officials with the issue.

McCoy advanced a plan to cut property taxes by $100 million, without jeopardizing local control over levies. The idea involves an increase of money into the state's tax relief fund and a reduction in evaluations on farm and ranch properties.

To continue job growth, McCoy wants to boost access to and use of technology, increase the awareness of job opportunities across the state and continue the successful series of trade missions to Asia and other potential markets.

"People expect results," he said. "They expect you to get things done."

Gov. Dave Heineman and other state officials have completed 12 foreign trade missions to date, touting Nebraska's agricultural production and other goods. McCoy believes Heineman set a great example of a governor's role.

"He has set the bar incredibly high," McCoy pointed out. "We have become so accustomed to a governor who travels the state. He works incredibly hard. He listens."

McCoy said the people of Nebraska do not expect to agree with every idea advanced by their political leaders. They do, however, expect politicians to hear their arguments and understand their position on each issue.

"Sometimes the smallest decision [in Lincoln or Washington] can have enormous ramifications on the local level," he explained.

As for the May 13 primary, McCoy believes that Nebraska will emerge with a tested Republican candidate, no matter who the voters select.

"We're going to have great leadership," he said.

All the candidates are qualified, McCoy pointed out. He hopes voters recognize his qualifications.

"I let my record do most of the talking," he said. "I like to roll up my sleeves and work on issues. There's no glamor in state government."

 

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