Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Outlines Support for Military and Veteran Families

The following is an Op-Ed piece by Sheila Korth-Focken, Republican candidate for Governor & former Omahan

Service members, veterans, families, and Bellevue residents, whether you just arrived at Offutt or have lived in Nebraska your entire life, I want you to know that I am running for Governor to serve you, like you so bravely serve our country. You and your families are the backbone of our state. You deserve to be treated as such.

Nebraska is known as a welcoming place. I’ve seen firsthand how our state welcomes and supports military families with open arms, like holding diaper showers, delivering meals, and organizing church events.

But I also know families struggle to afford necessities, cope when a parent is deployed, manage PTSD, and recover from injuries sustained overseas. I know our state currently fails to fully cater to your unique needs. Our state removes driver’s licenses from disabled veterans when they enter the workforce, in addition to putting liens on their houses and withholding tax returns. I have also witnessed veterans be discriminated against in the workplace, even by government officials. Our state also attempts to prosecute innocent veterans and domestic violence victims while allowing perpetrators of violence on our streets and in our kids’ schools.

I’m running for Governor to protect children, veterans, service members, and our families. Your families have sacrificed time and time again. You deserve to live in a state that embodies the ideals you fight for – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I know the military and DoD civilian community is not first in line to ask for help. I personally know veterans who simply went hungry and without housing after returning from Iraq. I personally know people living with PTSD and the lasting impact it has on our families. I know our state has failed to swiftly implement medical marijuana for individuals in pain.

As a lifelong Nebraskan, I feel ashamed our state treats you this way.

On Day 1 as Governor, I will issue an executive order for state agencies to streamline programs and ensure they work for you, including implementing medical marijuana so it is available for those who need it. In year 1, we will reduce income, sales, and property taxes by at least 25 percent, with more savings in years 2-4. Our goal is to permanently eliminate unnecessary taxes, especially for those who serve or served our country. I will also work tirelessly to ensure you receive your earned benefits, instead of getting no answer when you pick up the phone, or hearing that burdensome paperwork stands in the way of you receiving disability, healthcare, housing, and other necessities.

I will also listen to you, meet with you, and do everything I can to help you and your family. You won’t see me only showing up on Veteran’s and Memorial Day because I will personally work every day to ensure our state supports you.

Being deployed, on a PCS, returning home, moving, and being away from family is hard enough. Our state can improve your lives instead of creating more paperwork, headaches, and costs. We will reduce taxes so you can keep your own money instead of our current state government wasting it. Under my administration, employment discrimination against service members, veterans, and their families will end. We will enforce laws instead of ignoring them. And we will bolster programs available to you when you need them, instead of raiding them to hand your money to lobbyists.

I personally haven’t served in the military. But people close to me served in civilian and military capacities, including deploying twice to Iraq. They failed to receive benefits they earned and help they needed. I strongly believe if Nebraskans knew what your community needed, they would deliver. As Governor, I will ensure your needs are met and your taxes are cut.

I look forward to hearing from you because I strongly believe the best policy ideas come from you. You can find me at sheilakorth.com. I’ll be a tireless advocate for not only you and your family, but the next generation as well.

Nebraska already has a high rate of residents joining the military. Under my administration, Nebraska will be a place families will want to live because we will support you and your family, cut living costs, protect our kids, and allow our economy to thrive.

Thank you, and may God bless you and protect you. I look forward to serving you and your family.

Thanks,

Sheila Korth-Focken