LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts took office promising to bring his business savvy to state government and remove obstacles that make it harder for companies to flourish in Nebraska.
Yet in his first two years as governor, the former corporate executive has repeatedly found himself at odds with business groups on some of their top legislative priorities.
Ricketts fought proposals allowing driver's and professional licenses for young immigrants brought to the country illegally, and he also opposed a bill to prohibit workplace discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. The measures were backed by various business groups as ways to promote the state as business-friendly and address a workforce shortage.
Ricketts and the state's largest business groups say they still have a good working relationship, but will sometimes disagree.
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