Farmers, Ranchers and Agricultural Leaders Support Hassebrook

Chuck Hassebrook is setting the record straight on his positions on agriculture and environment.

“My opponent’s ads are flatly untrue. The truth is this: I’ve spent my whole life fighting for family farms and ranches, small businesses, and small town and rural Nebraska. I oppose and have spoken out vigorously against the EPA’s proposed Waters of the U.S. rule, and my record shows that I have helped many farmers and ranchers overcome burdensome regulations.

“I support lowering ag land valuation to reduce property tax burdens, but I am being criticized by a group funded by an Indiana oil baron for saying state property tax credits should benefit family farmers and ranchers, rather than big investors like him and Ted Turner.

“I support and have always supported agriculture exports and opposed export restrictions. I have a long track record as an advocate for hardworking farmers and ranchers, small business, and growing the economy of small town and rural Nebraska.

“The only person who has something to prove here is Pete Ricketts, who knows next to nothing about agriculture. He spent his career at his billionaire father’s Wall Street firm, not on the Main Streets of our communities,” said Hassebrook.

Much of Ricketts so called “plan for agriculture” simply states his support for existing programs that Hassebrook initiated, including the University of Nebraska’s Rural Futures Institute, Nebraska Value-Added Agriculture Program and tax incentives for beginners like the Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise Tax Credit and the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit.

Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and agricultural leaders are quick to defend Hassebrook. More than 130 of them, many of whom are Republicans, are part of the “Farmers and Ranchers for Hassebrook” group that has been an integral part of Hassebrook’s campaign.

In a statement released earlier today, NEBFARMPAC, the political arm of the Nebraska Farmers Union, endorsed Hassebrook. NEBFARMPAC Secretary John Hansen said, “Chuck Hassebrook is the person who knows and understands agriculture. He has our back. Given the many challenges rural Nebraskans face in the days ahead, our state needs a champion for our state’s largest single industry, production agriculture.”

“I am proud to have the support of so many of the farmers and ranchers that are a vital part of our state’s economy, and an important part of my campaign. While we may not agree on every political issue, they know they can count on me to stand up for them and fight for the future of Nebraska’s smallest towns and rural communities, agro and renewable energy industries, and family farmers and ranchers by working to lower property taxes and expand their markets,” said Hassebrook.