Paid for by Nebraskans for Nesbitt Committee • Ron Ross, Treasurer • 2124 Y Street, Ste 101 • Lincoln, NE 68503

Had a great visit with all the wonderful supporters in St. Paul.

Meeting with supporters in St. Paul Nebraska!

More travels across the state meeting with supporters and gaining new friends.

Meeting with supporters in Columbus, NE.

Met with a bunch of great supporters in Broken Bow Nebraska!

Great community meeting with supporters in Broken Bow Nebraska.

Traveled across Nebraska and met with supporters across the state.

Meeting with supporters in Arthur Nebraska!

Excerpts of an article by Melanie Wilkinson
on Tuesday, March 30th

“Tom Nesbitt is probably most well known for his time as the head of the Nebraska State Patrol and his 28 years of work in the field of law enforcement. Now, however, he’s taken on a new role as candidate for Nebraska state treasurer.”

On his qualifications:
“He says he possesses ‘the three qualifications that voters should be looking for in a state treasurer: honesty with high integrity and ethics; experience as an executive administrator; and a willingness to stand and fight for what’s right.’ ”

On the duties of the State Treasurer’s office:”
‘The Child Support Payment Center distributes monies to over 90,000 families every month,’ Nesbitt said. ‘It is critical that this money gets to the families in a timely manner. As trustee of the College Savings Fund, the state treasurer is responsible for more than $1.5 billion of people’s hope and investment in their family’s care. The Long Term Care Fund helps ensure dignity in old age and care for others that have long-term needs. Unclaimed property consists of cash and other personal assets that are considered lost or abandoned. Currently the state treasurer is responsible for returning more than $80 million of unclaimed property to the rightful owners. I am committed to ensuring that this property finds its home.

On representing and serving Nebraskans:
“ ‘I will represent and serve all Nebraskans from every county in the state. And I have pledged that I am willing to serve the eight years allowed by term limits, if elected.’ Nesbitt says he brings up the eight-year commitment ’so voters know I am running to serve the people of Nebraska, not to use it as a springboard for higher office. If you elect me, you will elect a person who only wants to be the state treasurer, who only wants to continue his service and dedicated commitment to the people of Nebraska.’ ”

On retaining the office:
“ ‘We all want less government. But doing away with the state treasurer’s office would be a huge mistake for the citizens of Nebraska. And there is no clear plan (as to who would handle those duties). It will end up being four or five faceless bureaucrats who will not be held accountable. People across the state are overwhelmingly telling me they want the state to continue to have a treasurer’s office. To not have the office would mean less accountability to the people of Nebraska.

The reason I’m running is the same reason I think it’s a bad idea to do away with this elected office. .. We need elected officials in charge who are accountable to the people.’ ”

On improving the office:
“Nesbitt added that if he were in the office of state treasurer, he would work toward making it easier to return unclaimed property. ‘Transparency of government is extremely important. That’s one of the greatest reasons we need to not only retain the state treasurer’s office, but to maintain a strong leadership in that position. We’ve had four treasurers in the last 10 years and we need some stability there. I will provide that stability and transparency.’ ”

In an article entitled, Treasurer Candidate Has Campaign, Will Travel, the North Platte Telegraph says,

“Nesbitt, a candidate for Nebraska Treasurer, spent 27 years with the Nebraska State Patrol and retired in 2005 as colonel and superintendent of the Patrol. So, it’s little surprise that as a candidate for a state office, he’s traveling the state in a vehicle.

‘I’ve put between 20,000 and 25,000 miles on my car just since announcing my candidacy,” Nesbitt said on Tuesday on a visit to the Telegraph offices. “I’ve traveled all over the state and will continue to do so.’

Nesbitt said while in charge of the State Patrol he visited all 93 counties and he intends to do so in his campaign as well.”

To read the rest of this article, click on this link

A Nebraska classic, with some classic Nebraskans.

Great time out west!

Oles Big Game Bar with Tom and friends!

Shook over 1,000 hands yesterday in Omaha. Stood in the rain and snow, but well worth it! Finished last night at the Lancaster Co. Republican Party Town Hall Meeting at Lee’s Chicken. Great questions everyone! Spent today in Sidney, then off to Scottsbluff for a nice visit with supporters.

Thank you for your confidence in me.

Best Regards,

Tom

Tom writes:

The attempt to eliminate the office of the Treasurer is misguided. I applaud Sen. Utter for wanting to reduce the size of government and having the conviction to put his thoughts into deeds to bring about this bill. However, I think eliminating the Treasurer’s office is a mistake. Much of the talk of efficiencies is unfounded.

Many duties of the Treasurer’s office, including unclaimed property and management of the state college savings plan, would need to be handled by other agencies, thus reducing nothing. Further, elimination of the office would be damaging to the concept of government accountability and internal control.

The Treasurer receives and expends funds as allowed by law. This receipt and dispersal is checked and rechecked not only by Treasurer’s office staff, but by staff in the Department of Administrative Services. Further, the whole system is subject to audit by the Auditor of Public Accounts, thus providing Nebraskans with good controls on their money.

The Legislature audits programs and agencies to see if they are operating according to law and legislative intent as they operate with public funds. This separation and system of controls is a good idea. This is a solid foundation for good government.

Doing away with the Treasurer’s office removes an element of this control and would place many of the office’s duties under agencies and boards that are accountable to persons other than the citizens of Nebraska and their voice -the vote. I’d prefer that the steward of the people’s money work directly for the people and serve at their pleasure.