Ross makes bid to return to office

Nebraska State Treasurer Ron Ross, on a three-day, 12 town campaign blitz across Nebraska, stopped in McCook Thursday evening and talked to supporters about his desire to continue in that office. Ross, a Republican, is running unopposed for the position.

While admitting his job is not very glamourous, Ross did compare the treasurer's office as a "well-oiled machine" which processes 90,000 child support claims each month. During his administration, he said the College Savings Program has grown to a billion dollars, which he would like to double, from just under $6 million when he first took office. Six and a half million dollars in unclaimed property was returned this year, he said, a record number.

Ross said his major concerns were streamlining state government, the steep growth in Medicaid, and economic development in rural Nebraska. He described good government in his campaign statement as "caring for those most vulnerable in our society while encouraging personal responsibility in its citizens."

Ross said that "keeping kids in Nebraska is everyone's responsibility," when referring to graduating college students moving out of state for jobs, and that he wants to help Nebraska grow by focusing on entrepreneual programs. He indicated he's be willing to work on committees with new senators coming in who share his conservative values, on economic development and job growth.

"This is important to me, and I've got the time," he said.

Ross served as Director of Nebraska's Health and Human Services Department before Gov. Johanns appointed him as State Treasurer in 2004. Prior to that, he was President/CEO of Rural Health Development Corporation, a consultant and management company, and from 1987 to 1992, he was was Administrator/CEO of Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Cambridge.