President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at easing diesel costs during a campaign rally in Grand Island Monday evening, while urging voters to return U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts and Gov. Jim Pillen to office.
The rally at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center on the Nebraska State Fairgrounds combined a Republican turnout appeal with announcements and promises affecting Nebraska transportation, agriculture and manufacturing.
“So I’m asking you to do me one favor. Pretend I’m on the ballot, please,” Trump told supporters. Trump described his action as allowing anyone to buy tax-free red-dyed diesel for any reason. The signed order directs the Treasury Department to determine whether authorized tax deferral is available and identify affected taxpayers.
It also requires an IRS announcement providing highway-use penalty relief for dyed diesel for October 5 through December 31. The department must issue guidance identifying the scope, conditions and payment deadlines. The order directs officials to explore tax forgiveness, including through legislation; it does not itself cancel the deferred tax.
The distinction matters for Lincoln-area trucking businesses and agricultural haulers deciding how to fuel their vehicles during harvest. Trump also highlighted Becton, Dickinson and Company, known as BD, saying its largest expansion would be in Nebraska.
In a Tuesday announcement, BD confirmed plans for $3 billion in U.S. manufacturing expansion as part of a broader multiyear investment agreement. It named Columbus and Broken Bow among its existing manufacturing communities but did not provide a Nebraska allocation or new local job count.
Trump urged supporters to re-elect Ricketts and Pillen and praised U.S. Reps. Mike Flood and Adrian Smith. He also renewed his promise of $5,000 payments to adult American citizens if Republicans win the House and Senate.
Trump said recipients would have to spend the money in the United States. He did not lay out a payment timetable or legislative mechanism during the speech. The White House previously promoted the same conditional promise in September.
Ricketts is running against independent Dan Osborn. Pillen’s challengers include Democrat Lynne Walz and America First Party nominee Brett Lindstrom.
The general election is November 3.
(Photo: 1011 Now)