Ricketts Speaks

Story by Sarah Van Horn

Gov. Pete Ricketts, 50, was the honored guest at the Kimmel Center for Boys/Girls State joint session on June 3. Ricketts was welcomed by thunderous rhythm of clapping by both States when he was escorted to the podium by recently appointed governors Kamryn Sannicks, 17, and Hunter Traynor, 17. Rickets started the session with a prepared speech, then ended with a short Q&A session.

This being Ricketts first year, ever, speaking at Nebraska Cornhusker State he began by saying how honored and humbled he was to be in the presence of students before him.

“You represent the best of Nebraska… Our future leaders,” Ricketts said. “Our state is great because of people like you.”

Ricketts explained the key challenge of being Nebraska’s Governor: Growth. In 2019 the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) will be implementing a hydrogen runned engine that has been burning coal for over for over 50 years. NPPD will switch one of two engines to use Hydrogen. Engines will then be electric powered and no longer spew carbon toxins into the air.  Nebraska will be one of 17 Hydrogen-based engines. This makes Nebraska, “water vapor pioneers,” open up the state to new engineer occupations and “offers a great opportunity” to expand engineering and the Nebraska workforce.

After discussing that he believes that agriculture and manufacturing can work hand-in-hand – aside from putting more stress on another – he said that he, “Runs [the government] like a business: always trying to be better and cheaper.” Ricketts used an analogy to explain his thoughts. Without dairy farms there’d be no milk; without milk there’d be no cheese manufacturing. The two work as system, a team, as opposed to rivals in a baseball diamond.

Also Ricketts never said he wanted to be a professional baseball player, he did say plenty of others paths he’s tried. Rickets graduated from college with a major in biology; discovered that’s not what he wanted to do with his life. So he tried getting a job in economics; but he still didn’t feel at home. He later went back to college and got an MBA in marketing and finance. To him, finding one’s life is about the process of elimination.

“The only bad decision is the one you didn’t take,” Ricketts said. “If one doesn’t work, keep trying. Don’t sweat it. Keep hold of your opportunities.”

Following the conclusion of his prepared speech, the floor was open for questions for the delegates.

Briefing of Ricketts Q&A

(Q) How do you plan on promoting diversity in Nebraska?

(A) By keeping people here in this great place. And by creating new opportunities for new people to come – like the new plant that will run on Hydrogen.

(Q) What is your stance on medical marijuana?

(A) As with all dangerous drugs, they need to be safe and effective, that is endure by the FDA. I feel the same process is needed for marijuana. However, the legislature isn’t made of scientists and doctors. We need to be sure that is safe before we make a decision.

(Q) What are your thoughts on gun control?

(A) I believe in the Second Amendment. Our Founding Fathers knew. People need the right to protect their rights.

(Q) How do you feel about the pay gap?

(A) They didn’t get their jobs because of their gender.