On June 1, the pending Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger was paused as regulators ask for more details. Based on years of experience, we know that increased concentration of railroad company ownership will work to the benefit of railroad companies at the expense of workers, shippers and consumers. Recently, rail company Union Pacific submitted a revised application to acquire its competitor, Norfolk Southern. For example, in our home state of Nebraska, the legislature recently advanced taxpayer subsidies for Union Pacific, tied to their future investment in the state. If Union Pacific believes this merger serves Nebraska’s interests, it should make that case without threats and without taxpayer backing.