Nebraska Senate GOPer 'not for the government building houses' says employers should

Nebraska State Senator Steve Erdman, a Republican, does not believe the government should be responsible for providing housing — even when it comes to "workforce development."

The GOP leader vocalized his position on the issue of the state's lack of housing availability during a state senate floor debate Wednesday.

Heartland Signal shared a clip of the senator's speech via Twitter, writing, "Nebraska State Sen. Steve Erdman (R-Bayard) opposes any government funding for housing, including for workforce development. 'I'm not for the government building houses. Not one. If you have a workforce shortage and the housing is not available, build one.'"

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He emphasized, "For anybody who's listened to my comments in the past, you will not be surprised that I'm not for the government building houses. Not one. If you have a workforce shortage and the housing is not available, build one.'"

The senator continued, "In rural Nebraska — the agricultural world and ranching and farming, if we're looking for an employee to be on our ranch or a farm, we provide housing for them," adding, "I have yet to see a place in any Constitution, or the United States or Nebraska, that says, 'It's the state's obligation to build houses.' We're in a free market enterprise system."

Omaha World-Herald reported earlier this month, "when the state chamber of commerce surveys communities on the biggest barrier they face for growth, they don't cite a lack of jobs," or "the state's tax system or climate."

President of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bryan Slone, emphasized, "Housing comes up No. 1 every time," adding, per Omaha World-Herald, "there's no doubt the lack of housing is contributing to Nebraska’s large pool of unfilled jobs."

Watch the video below or at this link.

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Omaha World-Journal's full report is available at this link.