Columbus Telegram-Fortenberry Visits New Turf

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Rep. Jeff Fortenberry says he is "very eager" to begin working and partnering with Columbus - something he calls a great privilege.

The fourth-term U.S. congressman expressed his ambition to represent both the city and Platte County Wednesday during an appearance on Mayor Mike Moser's roundtable discussion.

Fortenberry also used the opportunity to qualm any concerns that Columbus could be lost in its move from the 3rd to the 1st Congressional District, which will now contain Lincoln, Bellevue, Norfolk and Fremont, as well.

Calling Columbus a "very natural fit" for the district, Fortenberry said he expects a seamless transition when representatives of state's newly-formed congressional districts take the reins next year.

"I'm eager to dig in here and get to know the community better than I think I already do," Fortenberry said. " ... We've always considered this an important part of the neighborhood. Now we're on the same street."

Moser reiterated by saying the congressman and he have always had a good-standing relationship and similar goals.

Still, Fortenberry told city officials and at-home viewers Wednesday that he understands change can be hard.

The redistricting plan approved last month by the state Legislature reduces the number of counties in the 1st District from 24 to 17 - removing communities like Beatrice, Falls City, Wayne and South Sioux City, while adding Bellevue, Offutt Air Force Base and Platte and Polk counties.

Fortenberry, a Lincoln resident and former city councilman there, said he never considered Columbus' move to the 1st as an issue. The city, he said, has a strong synergy with the district's other urban areas, including similar geographic, economic and social dynamics.

With offices in both Fremont and Norfolk, Fortenberry described the area that now includes Columbus as the northeast triangle, home to "important urban communities within a very strong rural setting."

It's this rural setting that the House Agriculture Committee member vowed to remain strongly focused on.

Fortenberry said the 1st District is heavily dependent on a vibrant agriculture sector and its diverse urban economies, both of which are present in Columbus and Platte County.

"Having other diversity of manufacturing and entrepreneurial businesses, as well, has really insulated Nebraska and our area from the harsher downward trends that have happened in other places in America," he said.

Fortenberry referred to agriculture as "one of the few bright spots" in the current U.S. economy and a top priority of his, along with national security, economic opportunities including small business entrepreneurship, health-care reform, energy policy and creating an environment that promotes strong families and culture.

But for Congress, Fortenberry said, the big issue remains the budget, which sits at a current deficit of $1.6 trillion - leaving the country $14 trillion in debt.

"Stopping the overspending will not only help us balance the budget, but I think it will help us stimulate the economy, which in turn brings in more revenue," said Fortenberry.

Balancing the budget, however, "won't be perfect," he added. "It's going to call for some shared sacrifice."

Part of the local sacrifice likely will come by way of the roads.

Fortenberry said a new federal Transportation Bill is not on the horizon because of budget constraints, leaving the four-lane completion of Highway 30 between here and Schuyler off the table.

"I'm afraid that this important issue is going to be pushed down the road a bit more," Fortenberry said of the long hoped for project.

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