Demographic and legislature issues facing Nebraska

John McCollister was described by the Lincoln Journal Star on May 21, 2017 as "an independent-minded Republican" who represents Omaha's 20th district.  John brings to the legislature his background as a businessman in the industrial lubricants business, started by his grandfather in Omaha.  McCollister has served five terms on the board of the Metropolitan Utilities District and in early 2009 was named executive director of the Platte Institute for Economic Research.  He held that position for nearly four years before running for his legislative seat in 2014 for Omaha district 20, covering an economically and politically diverse stretch from 72nd to 144th street.  During his first legislature campaign John expressed concern about the growth of partisanship in the officially nonpartisan legislature, stated that high taxes are a concern, and favored prison and sentencing reform.  In the legislature, McCollister was named vice chair of the Urban Affairs Committee, and seated on the business and labor committee and natural resources committee. In 2015, McCollister voted for a gas tax increase to pay for repairs to roads and bridges, voted in favor of the death-penalty repeal, and voted to reverse the state's previous policy of denying driver's licenses to people qualifying under DACA.  In 2016, McCollister voted for a bill that would have created an independent commission of citizens to draw new district maps following censuses.  This bill was vetoed by Nebraska's governor.  McCollister also voted to make DACA beneficiaries eligible for commercial and professional licenses in Nebraska.  John's objectives are to reduce the property and income tax burden on Omaha citizens, make improvements to the public education system and encourage investment in clean and sustainable energy through "sensible and responsible legislation".

John McCollister graduated from Westside High School in Omaha and attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, receiving his bachelor's degree in business administration in 1971.  He is married with three children and two grandchildren.