One of the responsibilities of the Nebraska Legislature is to ensure that state government runs efficiently, and at the same time provides the necessary services to the citizens of Nebraska. It is for that reason that I introduced the proposition to eliminate the office of the state treasurer which will appear as Amendment 2 on the ballot Nov. 2. Amendment 2 was advanced by the Legislature with 38 of the 49 state senators voting in favor.

This is not a new, unique or novel idea. This proposal has been introduced in the Nebraska Legislature at least twice before. Currently 13 states do not have an elected state treasurer. In 2003, Minnesota voters voted to abolish the office of state treasurer in their state.

The current duties of the office of state treasurer can be transferred to existing state agencies. The consolidation of the treasurer’s duties will produce operating efficiencies, eliminate duplication, and in the final analysis save the taxpayers of Nebraska money.

If approved by the voters, the Legislature and the newly elected state treasurer will also have the next four years to transfer the duties and close down the office. This will be a sufficient amount of time to do it right.

My goal, the goal of the Nebraska Legislature, is to right-size state government, to make it more efficient, more effective, more responsive, and more transparent. The approval of Amendment 2 by the voters on November 2nd will help achieve those goals.

It is especially important during a time when Nebraska is experiencing financial stress that we do everything possible to reduce the tax burden on Nebraska taxpayers. I urge you to vote yes on Amendment 2 in November.