NE Citizen 2nd Debate Roundup

My thoughts are that the issues between the candidates tend to be technical in nature, not surprising given they all represent the same political party. This makes analysis difficult, but not impossible, so bear with me.

On higher education: everyone seems to agree that some incentives are needed to get graduates to stay in state, but Nabity correctly identifies the issue as an economic one -- we need better growth and jobs to get people to stay and reduce taxes to make the state a more attractive place to live. Both he and Osbourne hammer budget increases, which aren't sustainable without a better state climate for growth.

Economy/jobs: Governor responds with the incentive package recently passed, and the questionable idea that we can't reduce taxes and spending drastically because it took us a long time to become a high tax state. Nabity takes the Gov. to task, particularly that the tax cut is about $3-4 a month for the average tax payer. Both he and Osbourne appear to believe that Heineman should have done more last year to reduce spending and streamline govenrment.
Not sure I disagree. Osbourne also notes that the Gov's job creation numbers ignores job losses around the state -- net job increase should be the yardstick.

Abortion: all said they would have signed the Dakota bill. Not sure I would without provisions for at least rape and incest. SD bill is surely going to court.

Immigration: All agree a Federal issue, but I would argue that as chief executive, you are obligated with upholding the law. IMO, we need to go after the employers and dry up the incentive for people to come here in the first place. Question asks about children getting in-state tuition, and while the Gov. seems hesitant, I think all would agree that you can't blame the children for the sins of the parents. Osbourne qualifies it as 5 years in country, graduate from NE high school, and not over 21, which sound to me like important restrictions.

Water: Lots of technical talk here, and Osbourne and the Gov. seem to agree about the program Osboure sponsored in Congress which they think will do a lot to address the Republican River shortfall with Kansas. Nabity looks at it in more economic terms and believes that it will force farmers out of business. Particularly tough one to analyze.

Healthcare: everyone agrees we have to do something to control costs. Osbourne points to other states that have addressed the issue, FL as an example. Heineman apparently wants to study it and takes flack from both for saying so.

Government: all agree to large and talk about how to share services, reduce redundancy, etc.
Surprising to me that the state has as many employees as IA with half the population.