Gragert meets with local residents, discusses priority bills

Even though only a handful of days remain in the 2022 legislative session, District 40 Sen. Tim Gragert said he wants to hear from constituents.

Gragert met area residents, Friday, at the Antelope County Ag Society Event Center. Through redistricting, following the 2020 census, Antelope and the northern part of Pierce counties were added to the district.

Gragert, who will serve through January 2023, said, "I have never taken this job as a position or title. I stepped up, put my best foot forward, to do what I can for our state and northeast Nebraska."

While campaigning and during his stint in Lincoln, Gragert said he focused on four priorities, including reducing property taxes, assisting disabled veterans, advocating for pro-life concerns and maintaining water quality.

In January 2020, Gragert introduced LB 770, which provided free state park permits for disabled veterans. To fund the project, legislators boosted the cost of out-of-state park permits to $60.

As a former Desert Storm Medivac helicopter pilot, Gragert decided he wanted to make a difference in veterans' lives.

"Some of the most beautiful spots in our state are the state parks," he said.

Gragert also expressed excitement about the current STAR WARS project, which, if passed, will create opportunities for tourism at Niobrara State Park and in northeast Nebraska.

Once this year's session ends, Gragert will run his office from home in Creighton, still working for district residents, an important part of the job.

"I went to Lincoln with my integrity and, in more days, I'm going to leave Lincoln with my integrity," Gragert said.