Stan Clouse, (Central Nebraska Today, KGFW)
KEARNEY — Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse is running for the Nebraska Legislature District 37 seat.
Clouse has been mayor of the City of Kearney since 2006, sat on the city council since 2003 and has been employed with the Nebraska Public Power District for over 40 years, from which he recently retired.
“In addition to his official public service Stan is heavily involved in the Kearney and Buffalo County community including involvement in Rotary International, Leadership Kearney, TeamMates, Make-A-Wish, Junior Achievement and more. Stan is a member at New Life Church in Kearney,” per Cloue’s campaign website.
Clouse said he is pursuing the District 37 seat as Senator John Lowe is term limited, having been elected in 2016 and reelected in 2020.
Reflecting on his 18 years in local government, Clouse said it all started back in North Platte and his involvement in the community. He got appointed to the North Platte planning commission and this informed his understanding of the inner workings of city government.
When asked why he is seeking the seat in the Nebraska Unicameral, Clouse said he has worked with the state senators in his role as Kearney’s mayor and has dealt firsthand with the issues that the residents of the district are facing.
With his retirement from NPPD and not seeking re-election to the city council to allow for new people to take on the role, Clouse said the time was perfect for him to run for a legislative position at the Unicameral.
Speaking to his experience, Clouse referenced the growth the Kearney has seen in the past decades and the “steady, consistent tax policy” that the city maintained throughout that time.
Clouse said this time gave him the know how on how to recognize and address issues.
“Clouse has helped deliver hundreds of millions in capital projects to Kearney and Buffalo County while at the same time keeping the lowest property tax levy among Nebraska’s first-class municipalities,” his campaign website stated.
In his capacity as mayor, Clouse has testified before various legislative committees and as a result, knows many senators on a first name basis. He also has been familiar with the last three governors of Nebraska and has been appointed to several different commissions by them.
Through those commissions, Clouse has always kept a close eye on the Legislature, keeping a close eye on bills that impact communities, businesses, keeping it touch with senators, etc.
Clouse said there is always a learning curve for new state senators, but he feels that due to his past experience, his shouldn’t be as steep as others.
Questioned as to why he is seeking to represent District 37, Clouse said he has always been one that wants to be in “the heat of the battle” when it comes to making informed decisions.
When asked what he felt were the most pressing issues that District 37 is facing, Clouse said property taxes, “come to a head.” He also noted inflation, housing, childcare access, senior living, etc.
Clouse also noted that there is a great deal of fear from both sides of the political spectrum, usually fear of what the other side will do and what the state of the country is or will be.
Questioned as to how these issues should be handled, Clouse said great care has must be taken when addressing these pressing issues, he used the analogy of solving one issue, but it has detrimental effects on another.
To avoid this, Clouse said it take a great deal of open communication and listening on the part of policy makers.
Speaking to the election season, Clouse noted that a great deal of rhetoric is thrown around including certain buzz words.
One of those is “special interests” usually used as a derogatory reference. Clouse said those special interests are often representing a greater group of people. “We all have special interests,” Clouse said not everyone who wants to be heard can make it to Lincoln to testify on legislation.
“You have to be careful in the next four weeks of what you hear or read,” Clouse said. He asked voters to take the time to vet the candidates for themselves.
Speaking to his decision-making process, Clouse said he would continue to do what he has done with the city council, involve experts and community leaders in the process. He said he welcomes the input and incorporates that into his decisions.
Clouse spoke to some of the issues that the Legislature has been wrestling with, including property tax and school funding. “You really have to look at some creative things and be careful in what you cut and slash, so you don’t have those unintended consequences.”
In conclusion, Clouse said has appreciated the support during his years on the city council and asks that those people continue their support in his bid for the legislature.
Editor’s Note: Stan Clouse appeared on 1340 KGFW and this article was written using information provided during that interview. The full interview can be found here.
