Senator Ken Haar is the elected representative of Legislative District 21 in Lancaster County, Nebraska. Senator Haar is serving the people of District 21 with his second term in office.

The Unicameral is in full swing. The last week of March marked the end of the committee hearings and now the debate moves to the floor of the legislature for the rest of the session.

I was elected to represent District 21 and I take that responsibility seriously. I believe that our job as State Senators is to craft practical policy that grows Nebraska into the future for the next generation. My legislative priorities and work is guided on this fundamental idea.

My priority bill for the 2013 legislative session is LB583 Ag Climate bill. You can read the intent of the bill on the Unicameral website: nebraskalegislature.gov

The bill is to study what is happening with the climate and to make sure that we have the best information on how it will effect our agriculture and economy in the future.

I propose that we do this in several ways:

1)    We use our investment in the University of Nebraska and include a representative from the High Plains Regional Climate Center in the School of Natural Resources at the ag program;

2)    The Climate Assessment Response Committee provides a report to Nebraska on the economic, physical, and ecological impacts of climate changes;

3)    Facilitate communication in Nebraska;

4)    Prepare a long-term report to the Governor and Legislature on how Nebraska can plan and prepare for whatever the outcomes of the changes in our climate.

In other areas I am working hard to make sure that the next generation of Nebraskans have the opportunities that we have had in my role on the Education Committee. I am working there to make sure that the formula that the State of Nebraska uses to fund education provides learning opportunities for all of our students.

I am honored to serve you in District 21, it is my home as well as yours, and with your support and feedback we can make sure that we are doing things the Nebraska Way in the Unicameral. It is our responsibility to make sure that the next generation and the generations that come after us have a strong economy and the education to build a life for themselves and their family. With your support we can make that happen.