The Public Pulse: State budget cuts cost me my job in Nebraska

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State budget cuts cost me my job

I’m writing as one of the many dutiful public servants recently laid off due to budget cuts — and I reckon I’m not alone in feeling the sting. Born and raised right here in Omaha, I proudly earned not one, but two degrees from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, chasing a dream to serve our great Cornhusker State.

From the day I stepped into my first GIS lab on campus, I knew my calling was to become an IT GIS Analyst — mapping out solutions and helping communities navigate change. I lived that dream with every project I tackled and every dataset I wrangled. Then, just like an unexpected fumble in overtime, those budget cuts brought my journey to an abrupt halt.

Now I find myself at a crossroads: do I pack up and seek work beyond Nebraska’s borders, retrain in a brand-new field, or head back to the classroom for another degree? I’ve fallen in love with public service, and it’s painful to think these cuts might push me away from serving my own home state.

It’s frustrating that fiscal decisions at the state level can leave hardworking folks like me adrift. Yet, I remain grateful for every opportunity I had to make a difference — every mapping project, every GIS meeting where my input guided real change. Those experiences shaped me as much as any diploma ever could.

Despite this setback, I’m optimistic — Ted Lasso-style — that out of adversity comes growth. I believe Nebraska’s brightest days still lie ahead, and I’m hopeful our communities will prioritize investments in public servants and technology that keep us competitive and connected.

I urge our state leaders to consider the human impact behind every line item in the budget. We’re not just numbers on a spreadsheet; we’re neighbors committed to making Nebraska stronger.

Steven Ritzdorf, Lincoln

Nebraska delegation should stand up to Trump

As we continue to see routine deception, disinformation, and dishonesty from Attorney General Pam Bondi and most of President Trump's administration, it appears they don’t even expect to be believed. The dishonesty is transparent and often absurd. Routine and casual.

Sens. Deb Fisher and Pete Ricketts and Reps. Mike Flood, Adrian Smith and Don Bacon: You could at least speak up for those values — family values, Nebraska values — you often endorse. But you don’t.

You’ve surrendered your voice, your authority, and backbone to the whims of one man. Is it due to abject devotion or paralyzing fear? We hear from you only platitudes and recitations of the talking points provided to you. Will you ever speak up? What would it take? You’ve made yourselves irrelevant. If asked what you think, you might as well answer “ask Donald Trump.”

The Democrats can’t do it. They’ve got plenty of their own nonsense to deal with.

All we can count on, it seems, is opposition between the two parties. Calling out each other’s nonsense gets us no closer to truth when what is offered as an alternative is merely another form of nonsense.

Members of each party need to hold their representatives accountable and keep them centered. Each of Nebraska’s five House and Senate members were at one time decent people worthy of respect. Even when you may disagree with them.

I don’t see that any more.

This is awful.

Steve Drda, Lincoln 

Downtown parking becoming unaffordable 

Mayor Jean Stothert said that we did not need to vote for the streetcar because we were not going to pay for it.

However, all the city parking costs downtown have increased to pay for streetcar maintenance. We had to pay $30 to pay to see a play at the Orpheum. Increased parking around Creighton increased from $4 to $12.

It has also increased significantly in other parts of downtown. If we are going to pay $30 to park to see a play at the Orpheum, we may need to reconsider our memberships. It has become too costly.

Joanne Walde, Omaha