Gov. Jim Pillen and Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton recapped their recent visit to Japan while speaking at Husker Harvest Days, an ag show just west of Grand Island, on Wednesday.
The trip came on the heels of a trade deal with Japan signed by President Donald Trump last week.
As part of the deal, Japan agreed to invest $550 billion in projects selected by the U.S. government. Pillen said he told Japanese officials he wants at least 10% of that amount to go toward projects in Nebraska.
Pillen also praised the Japanese culture he witnessed on his visit to Tokyo.
“Absolutely the cleanest place you can find,” he said. “It’s maybe almost as safe as what we have it here in Nebraska. No obesity. The people’s discipline and civility is off the charts.”
Vinton highlighted the country as a potential new market for ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel. She said some Japanese she met with had concerns about the supply of ethanol as the country looks to shift to ethanol-blended gasoline within six years. Vinton said she reassured them that Nebraska can handle the demand.
“We are poised for this growth and can easily supply your market, because we’re the westernmost state in the United States to go to the West Coast to send that ethanol out, and we are the only ones with a pipeline that can help them meet their goals that they still have for sustainable development,” she said.
Pillen and Vinton painted a rosy picture of Nebraska agriculture’s future, drawing a contrast with what Pillen said his outlook on the industry was as a young man.
The governor said his view is due in part to state programs to provide scholarships for rural Nebraskans, such as the Elite 11 Program for aspiring veterinarians. Vinton shared how the extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 through the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” eliminated the inheritance tax for most farmers planning to hand down their livelihood to the next generation.
Pillen took a markedly different tone when asked about the upcoming legislative session, expressing his frustration at the Legislature’s inability to get rid of the state’s inheritance tax and broaden the sales tax base. Both efforts failed to overcome filibuster attempts in the spring.
Pillen warned further inaction could result in the passage of several ballot initiatives, including one that could eliminate property and income taxes altogether.
“If we don’t get something major done this next session, we have different ballot initiatives are coming out. If one of the ballots get on, there’s a high likelihood it passes and it will not be good,” he said.
The governor also highlighted his goal of cutting general fund spending by 10%, or about $500 million, next year.
AloJapan.com