Ricketts’ Weekly Column: The Good Life in 2026

Every New Year, we have the opportunity to reflect on the last year and plan for the future.  With family and friends by our side, we enter the New Year with clarity and inspiration.  We should be grateful that we live in Nebraska.

I’m entering 2026 grateful and ready to continue fighting for Nebraska.  I’m working to keep more money in your pocket and make our streets safer.  We will make 2026 a great year for Nebraskans.

Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cut, Nebraskans will see wages increase this year.  We are already entering 2026 with the lowest gas prices in nearly 5 years.  In 2025, Senate Republicans cut through record numbers of Biden-era regulations that increased costs.  When it comes time to file taxes, Nebraskans will keep more money in their pockets.  CBS reports that the average tax refund will increase by about $1,000 per filer.  That’s because of the Working Families Tax Cuts.

The Working Families Tax Cuts prevented a $2,443 tax increase on the average Nebraska family.  Instead, Senate Republicans expanded the child tax credit and dependent tax credits.  We incentivized businesses to invest in childcare for their workers.  We created a $6,000 tax deduction for seniors.  Now, 88% of seniors won’t have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits.  We increased the standard deduction while allowing donations to be itemized.  We included no tax on tips and no tax on overtime provisions.  We made the Death Tax exemption permanent.  Now, Nebraska farming and ranching families can pass their businesses on to the next generation.  In the new year, we’re going to keep working to lower costs and keep more money in Nebraskans’ pockets.

We’re also going to fight for affordable health care.  Whether veterans or civilians, rural or urban, all Nebraskans deserve a high standard of care.  That’s why I am fighting to improve veteran care with my CARING for Our Veterans and MIND Our Veterans legislation.  We also created a $50 billion fund for rural health care grants.  We closed loopholes that allowed illegal immigrants to receive Medicare and Medicaid.  These programs are being saved for those that need them: kids, the elderly, and the disabled.

We delivered wins for farmers and ranchers in 2025.  We expanded the 45Z tax credit, strengthening Nebraska biofuel production.  I encouraged EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to increase Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for biofuels and he did.  We made the Death Tax exemption permanent.  We updated reference pricing and secured $12 billion in relief for farmers and ranchers.  We invested $285 million annually in agricultural trade promotion programs.  We eliminated scholarship rules that penalized ag families sending their kids to college.  But farmers and ranchers need long-term certainty.  So, I’m working to pass a five-year Farm Bill.  I’m fighting to expand biofuels with legislation such as the Renewable Fuels for Ocean-Going Vessels.  I’m working to ensure year-round E15. 

I am also working to make sure Nebraskans stay safe.  Over the past decade, the spread of fentanyl has been a crisis.  In 2025, we passed the HALT Fentanyl Act to help law enforcement combat its spread.  Now, with a secure border and enhanced policing tools, the fentanyl crisis is receding.  Nebraskans deserve safer streets, so I’m fighting to make sure we don’t suffer another drug or illegal immigration crisis.  I’m leading efforts to combat nitazenes, which is even deadlier than fentanyl.  I’m backing the blue, so Nebraska law enforcement can continue their record of excellence.

I’m fighting every day to strengthen the Good Life.  Nebraskans deserve health, wealth, and safety.  2026 will be a great year for Nebraska.