Ricketts visits Beatrice

Pete Ricketts, the republican nominee for Nebraska Governor, visited Beatrice Wednesday.

This was the first visit to Gage County for the Omaha businessman since his win in the May 13 primary elections. Ricketts will meet democratic nominee Chuck Hassebrook in the Nov. 4 general election.

Ricketts said one of the major differences between he and his opponent is their opposing stances on the expansion of Medicaid. Ricketts said instead of expanding the social health care program, hed like to see a bigger spotlight shed on job training.

Im more about getting people off government dependency and give them this job training and skills to take those jobs, Ricketts explained. We have lots of jobs available all across the state, especially if you have skills in being an electrician, or a welder or a machinist. We can help people get that job training to be able to take those jobs.

Ricketts said his opponent also supports raising the minimum wage. Ricketts said during his travels across the state, hes met numerous business owners against the raise.

Ive talked to business owners who say my income doesnt go up if you raise the minimum wage. Ill either have to take my prices up, or lay people off or both, Ricketts said. It just hurts the very people youre trying to help. We have a very, very different approach there.

Ricketts is the former president of Ameritrade. He said his experience in the private sector gives the upper hand in devising strategies for sustainable tax relief for Nebraska.

If were going to have sustainable tax relief, which is something we need to have in the state, we have to cut our costs at state government, Ricketts said. Ive done that in the real world. Thats what we did at Ameritrade to be able to grow the company. We took leveraged technology and best business practices to drive down the cost and do a better job of delivering services.

Ricketts said he wants to use his time as governor to cut high income taxes, which serve as an expansion barrier for Nebraskas businesses.

I was talking to a company in Kearney that said Pete, we just did a big expansion, but we probably wont make that same decision again because in Nebraska youre too expensive. Between property taxes and income taxes, we have other choices of states we can expand in, and well probably go somewhere else next time.

Go here to read the rest:
Ricketts visits Beatrice