Nebraska Now Offering Online Criminal History

 

(Lincoln, Neb.)  Gov. Dave Heineman  announced that Nebraskans can now request a name only criminal history background check online through the Nebraska State Patrol.
“This new service will allow citizens with computer access and the proper information to request a name only criminal history check anytime day or night,” said Gov. Heineman. “This is just one more example of how state government is providing more efficient, faster services for our citizens.”
Previously Nebraskans requesting a name only criminal history background check would need to submit their request in person, through the mail or by fax.  Response to the request could take three to 10 days depending on mail service.
“More than 75 percent of the individuals who request name only criminal history checks do not have a criminal background,” said Col. David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “By automating this service, those individuals will receive an immediate response. At the same time we will speed up the process for others whose request may need more research.”
With the new online site Nebraskans needing a name only criminal history background check need only log onto www.ne.gov/go/crime_report and provide the requested information. A credit card will be required as a form of payment for the $18.00 fee.
In 2012, the Nebraska State Patrol processed 33,337 requests for name only criminal history background checks.  Since 2009, more than 128,000 requests have been processed.  ###

Award Winning Nebraska National Guard

   

Gov. Dave Heineman

The Nebraska National Guard had earned several significant national awards in recent months and I would like to talk more about these awards as well as several other significant events involving the men and women of our Nebraska National Guard.
Members of the Nebraska National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters air staff learned they had been awarded their second-consecutive U.S. Air Force Organizational Excellence Award while the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing had been awarded its 11th Outstanding Unit Award since its founding in 1948. These are both very significant awards because they represent an acknowledgement by the U.S. Air Force of all that our Nebraska Airmen have accomplished in support of our nation’s overseas commitments as well as their work closer to home in support of homeland defense missions, community activities and during the historic flooding of 2011.
This is a significant accomplishment by both these Air National Guard units and the entire state should take enormous pride in them. Only a tiny fraction of U.S. Air Force units are selected to receive these national awards each year.
Along with these two unit awards, I also had the opportunity to recognize a number of Nebraska National Guard Soldiers and Airmen for earning national awards in their particular areas of expertise. Those honored include:

• The Nebraska National Guard’s Prairie Soldier Newspaper was named the top tabloid-sized newspaper of the year in the entire Army National Guard for the fourth straight year. It then went on to earn its fifth U.S. Army tabloid-sized newspaper of the year award since 1995.
• Sgt. Heidi Krueger, Odell, of the Nebraska Army National Guard 111th Public Affairs Detachment was named the Print Journalist of the Year for the entire Army National Guard. Krueger won the Army National Guard’s Photojournalism Competition and then went on to earn a third place award in the U.S. Army’s Keith L. Ware Print Media Competition’s Photojournalism Category.
• Staff Sgt. Koan Nissen, Lincoln, of Joint Force Headquarters placed second in the Army National Guard Personality Feature Article Competition.
• Sgt. Jason Drager, Lincoln, of the 111th Public Affairs Detachment placed third in the entire Army National Guard in the News Article Competition.
• Senior Airman Mary Thach, Lincoln, of the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing placed second in the Air National Guard Sports Article Competition and third in the News Article Competition.
• And Maj. Kevin Hynes, Murdock, Joint Force Headquarters, placed second in the Air National Guard Sports Photography Competition and third in the Feature Photography Competition.
• The Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Medical Group Dental Clinic was named the best in the entire Air National Guard. Members of the clinic staff are Lt. Col. Raymond Shaddy, Omaha, Lt. Col. Michael Burbach, Lincoln, Maj. Jennifer Hasslen, Omaha, Staff Sgt. Patrick Lillis, Bellevue, and Senior Airman Lori Watts, Doniphan.
• Tech. Sgt. Shaun Tebo, Bellevue, of the 155th Medical Group was named the Air National Guard Outstanding Base Bioenvironmental Engineer Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

Along with announcing these significant awards, I also had the opportunity to welcome home two Nebraska Army National Guard units from deployments to Afghanistan. Additionally, ten members of the Nebraska Army and Air National Guard begin their deployment that will ultimately take them to Afghanistan.
Those welcomed home include the members of the 43rd Operational Support Aviation Detachment, which spent the past nine months providing a variety of aviation-related support in Afghanistan, and the Nebraska National Guard’s Afghan Agribusiness Development Team No. 3, which spent a year helping Afghan agricultural officials and local farmers redevelop their agricultural capabilities.
Those departing for Afghanistan were members of the Guard’s Afghan Agribusiness Development Team No. 4, which will be performing a similar agricultural mission in Afghanistan.
These are all significant moments in the history of our Nebraska National Guard, which has been called upon to do much over the past decade, both overseas and here at home. These Soldiers and Airmen, most of whom are part-time Guardsmen with full-time jobs or educational pursuits, have done much to make each and every one of us proud. They are the very best that this state has to offer.
I join all Nebraskans in commending these dedicated individuals for a job well done.

STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH

Duane A. Lienemann
UNL Extension Educator

     As I write this column, we just experienced lightning and a sound that is music to most Nebraskan’s ears – the rumbling of thunder. I cannot remember the last time I have heard that sweet music. We, of course, need as much moisture as we can get, since we are so far behind in precipitation. It is, unfortunately, unlikely that we will get enough moisture to guarantee anywhere close to normal grazing, and I have outlined that in earlier editions. Now it is concerning to all farmers, including those that just concentrate on grain production. Even the irrigators are a little concerned about the after-effects of the 2012 drought and the potential for an even worse drought for 2013. Imagine how the livestock producers are feeling. They have done whatever they can do to stretch their resources, even downsizing their herds and trying to find any source of hay or other forages as they can.  In talking to many cattlemen I know that finding or providing grazing alternatives is a high priority for them. Let’s look this week at some ideas that our livestock producers can do to perhaps offset these trials.
     One option is using Spring-planted oats. If you are interested in having some extra pasture and hay this spring, this may be a viable option. The nice thing is that there is still time to plant oats, and they might be one of the surest ways to provide feed for your cattle if you are going to be short of hay and have to wait for pastures to get to the point that they can be grazed without hurting future production. Oats grow during cool spring weather when rain is most likely to occur and when soil moisture is used most efficiently to produce forage. Oats make an excellent source of forage for several reasons. First, oats can be grazed earlier than anything else you plant this spring and are often ready for grazing about a month after planting and can be intensely grazed. Another advantage of oats for spring pasture is the low cost of seed. 
     Also, oats can be used in several different ways. If the forage isn't needed for grazing, it can be made into hay. Oat hay makes ideal feed for young livestock if it is harvested when the plants just begin to head out, and is excellent feed for stock cows. And if rainfall is adequate and pasture isn't needed in the spring, oats can still be harvested for grain and straw. If you have irrigation capabilities, oats that are planted under irrigation can be grazed or cut for hay early enough to permit double cropping to soybeans or a summer annual forage crop. Or under this situation they may even be double cropped to corn for silage. I know this is not usually an option if you are primarily a crop producer, but if you also have livestock it is a great way to accomplish two production goals. The early moisture may be all we get and oats may at least give a chance for feed.
     If you decide to go the oats route, you may want to plant about 3 bushels per acre during the first couple of weeks in April since the weather didn’t allow this last week or two. Oats respond favorably to early planting. Research has shown that oat seeds germinate at 40°F. The oats should be from 4 to 8 inches tall and ready to graze in early to mid-May. With good soil moisture and 30 to 60 pounds of nitrogen, oats can provide a couple months of grazing for 1 or 2 cows per acre. If what you need is hay that’s ideal for young stock, then cutting oats just as it is heading out is the best option. This hay can have over 10 percent protein and 65 percent TDN as well as good palatability. Or you can increase yield by about one-third, and cut oats in the milk stage for hay with 8 percent protein and 55 percent TDN - an excellent feed for stock cows. You can use bin run oats or look for forage oats like “Everleaf 126” which may be a good option, as they are adapted for lower moisture areas, are considered heat tolerant, and hay cut at or before mid-boot can reach up to 19% protein. Not too bad!
     Another thought is that oats also have the potential to stimulate yields from a thin, worn out alfalfa stand. If you discover that you suffered drought injury to your alfalfa and have thin stands, you won’t reach your yield potential or much of it might be in the form of weeds. To improve the yield and quality and provide competition for weeds, just drill a bushel of oats per acre directly into you alfalfa as soon as possible. Then cut your hay like normal and you should have more tonnage. 
     I have also heard some farmers discussing mixing oats with turnips hoping to increase protein quality and tonnage for intensified grazing of cattle in those planted areas. Continuous grazing works well because cattle prefer oats until they start to head. That gives turnips a good chance to get started. You can start grazing about one-half animal/acre and increase the stocking rate as forage growth rate increases. On dryland you may get up to one cow-calf pair/acre; if irrigated, two or more pairs/acre are likely. Oats and turnips can provide 2 lbs or more of gain/acre/day. Nutritionally, oats are almost as good as wheat and what is nice is that they don't have awns, so they're actually more grazing-friendly to cattle. The benefits of turnips are that their leaves are 24-25% protein and the bulbs are 16-18% protein, with about the same energy as corn.
     According to Dr. Anderson, oats and turnips can be planted at the same time using a grain drill with a second, small seed box for turnip seed.  You will need to pull the seed tubes from the turnip seed box and allow seed to drop freely on the soil surface ahead of the coulters. You should plant the oats 1-3" deep in the furrows made by the coulters. Packer wheels or a roller pulled behind the drill work very well. He goes on to say that if they need to be planted separately, you can broadcast turnip seed first and then drill in the oats. Drilling will help give the turnip seed light soil coverage. The other way around works, too, but the turnip seed won't get packed unless a third trip is used. In this case you may want to use 90-120 lbs of oats and 2 lbs of turnip seed/acre (Purple Top White Globe is a good pick). Seed costs shouldn't exceed $20-30 per acre. This option could provide a full 8-9 months of grazing if handled properly. We may have to look at all options this year!

The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu or go to the website at: http://www.webster.unl.edu/home.    

Blue Hill High School Band scheduled to participate in Jazz Festival

(Hastings, Neb.) – Drummer Tim Froncek, the featured clinician for the 2013 Hastings College Jazz Festival, will give a free public performance on Monday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. in French Memorial Chapel (800 N. Turner Ave.) 

 

Throughout the festival, to be held earlier in the day, high school and middle school bands from across the state will perform and then receive immediate feedback on their performance from Froncek.

 

High school bands currently scheduled to participate in the festival and workshop are as follows:

 

Blue Hill

Centennial

Centura

Grand Island Northwest

Grand Island Senior High (2 bands)

Gretna

Hastings Middle School

Hastings Senior High School (2 bands)

Holdrege

Lawrence-Nelson

Lincoln East

Lincoln East Horizons

Lincoln East-Jazz Faction

Lincoln Northeast

Nebraska City

Norris

Perkins County

Skutt Catholic

Waberly

Yutan

 

Bio for Tim Froncek

Voted “Jazz Musician of the Year” in 2004 by the “West Michigan Jazz Society”, Tim Froncek has toured internationally with the Western Jazz Quartet. He also has performed with Woody Herman and The Thundering Herd, Pearl Bailey, and Joe Williams just to name a few.

 

A spirit of excellence has long been the hallmark of the Hastings College music experience. Hastings College students and faculty have been making music from the beginning of the College in 1882. Hastings College is recognized as a National Liberal Arts College in the U.S. News and World Report annual “America’s Best Colleges” issue and a Best Midwestern College by Princeton Review. The Hastings College Department of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and also was named an All-Steinway School, one of only 82 worldwide.

 

The Department of Music offers a full range of vocal and instrumental opportunities for all Hastings College students. Major ensembles and small groups travel regularly, making special appearances at music conferences, schools, and churches. Vocal ensembles at Hastings College include the renowned Hastings College Choir, Men’s Chorus, HC Singers (treble voices), Spectrum vocal chamber ensembles, along with other special smaller groups. Instrumental ensembles include the Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Marching Band; Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Chamber Orchestra, Brass, and Percussion Ensembles, and the Bell Choir. The department serves as the permanent residence of the South Central Nebraska Children’s Chorale; the Nebraska State High School Honor Choir, Band, and Orchestra; and the Hastings Symphony Orchestra.

 

Music students can earn a Bachelor of Music degree with majors in applied performance, music education, and piano pedagogy. A Bachelor of Arts degree in music with an emphasis in performance, elementary education, music history or sacred music is also available. Hastings College offers a Master of Arts in Teaching with emphasis in music. In addition, the department sponsors student chapters of Sigma Alpha Iota, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Music Educators National Conference, and Music Teachers National Association.

ROLLING BACK REGULATIONS

Few Americans will ever forget being told Congress had to first pass the healthcare law “to find out what is in it.” Well, almost exactly three years ago, the bill was passed and now we know the secret ingredient: 20,000 pages of new federal regulations, amounting to a towering stack of paper 7 feet 3 inches tall.
This is just one example of the endless amount of red tape coming out of Washington. Though some regulation is necessary to ensure health and safety, overregulation places unnecessary burdens on job creators and is devastating to economic growth.
In order for our economy to grow and businesses to thrive, we must get government out of the way and foster an environment that promotes job creation and competitiveness.
As a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I have engaged in several legislative efforts to help provide much-needed regulatory relief for Nebraska’s business owners, farmers, and ranchers.
Specifically, I support the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, an important effort to restore accountability in Congress for the regulations proposed by the Executive Branch. In Nebraska and across America, citizens face countless new federal mandates and unsolicited rules proposals, ranging from restrictions on young people working on family farms to unwise attempts to regulate farm dust.
From 2009 through 2011, 106 new major regulations were imposed on American businesses, costing more than $46 billion annually. The legislation addresses this growing tide of red tape by requiring both chambers of Congress to approve every major new rule proposed by the Executive Branch before it can be enforced on the American people. The REINS Act was introduced in the last Congress, and I look forward to working with my colleagues this Congress to secure its passage.
I also recently joined my colleagues as a cosponsor of the Regulatory Responsibility for our Economy Act in an effort to require the executive branch, responsible for issuing regulations, to review and repeal duplicative and onerous rules hurting job creation. The legislation also ensures that federal agencies account for the economic impact of regulations they issue as well as modify, streamline, or repeal significant regulatory actions that are unnecessary or overly burdensome.
I am pleased to announce a constituent outreach effort, “Rolling Back Regulations: Nebraskans Speak Out” to allow Nebraskans to voice what specific regulations are hindering their farms, ranches or businesses. This forum will serve as another way to highlight the pressing need for comprehensive regulatory reform.
I encourage you to visit my website, fischer.senate.gov, to share with my staff and me the specific federal regulations that are adversely impacting you and your family. Whether you are being fined a penalty of thousands of dollars for simply having a ladder leaning against a wall, or dealing with new compliance costs, my staff and I will review and highlight your submissions as examples of the unnecessary challenges the federal government is placing upon our nation’s job creators.
In the coming weeks, I will also have the opportunity to question the president’s nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Gina McCarthy. As many Nebraskans know, the EPA is responsible for scores of new rules and regulations each year. I hope to include your comments and suggestions when I question Ms. McCarthy to ensure she understands the real-world impact of federal overregulation.
Under the “Priorities” page of my website, you will find a form to submit your name, location and the specific regulation you believe should be rolled back.
I share the belief of many Nebraskans that the federal government should be held accountable for the rules it puts in place, and I look forward to hearing from you in this effort to roll back regulations hurting Nebraska’s agriculture, businesses, and economy.
Thank you for taking part in our democratic process, and I’ll visit with you again next week.
Deb Fischer
United States Senator

Health Care Update on Law’s Third Anniversary

Rep. Adrian Smith

It has now been more than three years since the controversial health care law was pushed through Congress and signed by President Obama.  Since the law was passed premiums have increased, health care costs continue to rise, small businesses have been burdened, and the estimated price of the law continues to increase.  Unfortunately, several recent reports and studies conclude the effects of the law are more painful than initially expected.
A new economic report by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office predicts 7 million people will lose their employer-sponsored health insurance – nearly twice the previous estimate of 4 million people.  Those on the individual market could also lose the quality health care they currently enjoy because of increased premiums.  Since 2008, premiums have increased by an average of $3,000.
On top of these premium increases, Americans will face a number of new taxes on their health insurance.  In addition to the individual and employer mandates, which the Supreme Court upheld as taxes, there is a tax on insurance premiums in the individual and small group market.  There also is a new $63 per person reinsurance tax which will be charged regardless of whether the plan participant will ever need to be reinsured.
The negative impact on jobs as a result of the law also continues to increase.  A report by the Federal Reserve earlier this month acknowledged the health care law slows hiring, and a study by the National Federation of Independent Business found the employer mandate could eliminate 1.6 million jobs by 2014.
Small businesses have raised concerns to me about the new regulatory requirements the law creates.  According to a new study by the American Action Forum, complying with the health care law has already resulted in more than 111 million hours of paperwork burdens, up from 50 million hours in 2011.  The study also found the law has already resulted in more than $30 billion in costs, up from $12 billion in 2011.  Small businesses tell me they simply cannot afford the extra costs and wasted productivity.
Finally, the Congressional Budget Office now predicts the law could increase spending by $1.8 trillion over ten years, and could add trillions to the deficit in decades to come.  This is nearly double the 2010 estimate of $940 billion.  With nearly $17 trillion in debt, our nation cannot afford to continue piling on new spending.
Three years after passage of the President’s health care law it is clear this legislation will not improve access to affordable, quality health insurance, hurts economic growth, and adds to our already out-of-control deficit and debt.  While the House has voted several times to repeal the bill in full, we have not had the support of the Democrat-controlled Senate nor the White House.  We have been successful in removing certain harmful policies including 1099 reporting requirements, and I am optimistic the House and Senate will soon agree to repeal other provisions of the law.  I will continue to work with my colleagues to implement real health care solutions which would benefit patients, our economy, and taxpayers.

Governor Appoints Jim Heine as Nebraska State Fire Marshal

Gov. Dave Heineman today announced the appointment of Jim Heine of Lincoln as Fire Marshal for the State of Nebraska.  Heine, 59, served as Assistant State Fire Marshal from January 2007 until this January when he became Acting Fire Marshal.  "Jim's experience with the Fire Marshal's office will be invaluable to him in his new role  as the State Fire Marshal" Gov. Heineman said.  "I appreciate his commitment to safety, education and prevention." "I am honored to serve Nebraska and it's citizens as State Fire Marshal, " said Fire Marshal Heine.  "I look forward to working closely with Governor Heineman as a member of his Cabinet." Prior to becoming acting Fire Marshal, Heine served as Assistant Fire Marshal for six years and was a Deputy State Fire Marshal for 17 years prior to that.

 His appointment is effective immediately. His experiences with the Agency have provided him with a wealth of knowledge related to fire prevention and safety through enforcement of the Life Safety and related Codes. Additionally, his over 30 years of service as a volunteer firefighter, including being the Chief of the Arlington Volunteer Fire Department, allows him to be an integral part of the volunteer firefighter community. 
Heine's salary will be $74,000. He succeeds John Falgione who recently retired.

Budget Values Mean More than Money

 

Sen. Mike Johanns

Four years.  That’s how long it took Senate Democrats to pass a budget resolution.  It’s also the amount of time it takes to get a degree in finance, economics or accounting. But after looking at their final product, it appears the Democrats didn’t use this time doing any of that.

Their budget, which narrowly passed in the Senate late last week, turns a cold shoulder to the realities our country faces.
Americans today are coping with higher taxes, fewer jobs, a fragile economy and important government programs on the brink of bankruptcy.
So how does this plan address these issues?  By raising taxes another trillion dollars, refusing to strengthen Social Security and Medicare for future generations and borrowing more money from places like China to foot the bill for more of the same failed stimulus spending. The debt increased nearly 50 percent to $16.7 trillion in the absence of a budget.  This plan calls for another similar increase, pushing the debt to $24.4 trillion over the next decade.
While lawmakers disagree on a number of policies, we share some beliefs, like ensuring safety nets for our nation’s seniors and most vulnerable. But this budget doesn’t even try to address the fact that these essential programs are running out of money. Instead, supporters of this plan opted to maintain the status quo, leaving future generations out in the cold.
Vice President Biden famously said, “Don't tell me what you value, show me your budget, and I'll tell you what you value.” By this standard, the absence of a budget these past four years is telling. But when lawmakers put pen to paper and actively double down on the decisions that have plagued our nation, we begin to get a clear picture of where their priorities really lie.
In Nebraska, we value things like being rewarded for hard work and being free to stretch our creativity in business and innovation. We believe in meeting our financial obligations and living within our means. And we believe this is how we create opportunities for future generations.
We also value things like a good education, quality health care and a clean environment. And we believe all of this can be achieved in ways that minimize competition with our other values. The plan that passed in the House last week reflects these principles while putting our nation on a path toward a balanced budget, and I voted for it when it was offered as an amendment in the Senate.
Budgets do reflect values. They also reflect the realities we must live with—that our economy is struggling, that we spend more than we can afford and that Social Security and Medicare, which drive more than half of federal spending, are not sustainable in their current form.
Making cuts is never easy. In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to. But we live in a world that requires making choices. Congress has an obligation to make these decisions, no matter how difficult, to ensure our country remains strong and vibrant now and in the future.  Supporters of the Senate budget failed to make the tough choices last week. We can do better. This debate is far from over, and I will continue to push for real solutions that reflect our state’s common values, even if it means making the hard choices my colleagues and I were sent here to make.

Johanns Rejects Dem Tax & Spend Budget

Offers amendments supporting regulatory reform, restricting EPA aerial surveillance and repealing health care law restrictions

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.)  voted against a budget offered by Senate Democrats that calls for a trillion dollars in new tax increases, prescribes more failed stimulus-style spending and does not rein in our alarming $16.7 trillion debt. In addition to considering the Democrats’ budget, the Senate also adopted Johanns’ amendment removing restrictions in the President’s health care law and his amendment to ensure that federal agencies do not ignore regulatory planning and transparency requirements.
"After four years of spending borrowed money, it looks like Democrats are pretty rusty at crafting anything close to a responsible budget plan,” Johanns said. “They have turned a deaf ear to the American people’s demands that we leave or our kids and grandkids with a vibrant country instead of a mountain of debt. The only way to achieve this goal is by rolling back costly regulations and strengthening programs like Social Security and Medicare – two of the main drivers of federal spending. The new taxes, spending and debt in the Democrats’ budget plan shows how oblivious they are to the reality America faces."
Johanns supported a budget resolution that would balance the budget in 10 years, repeal President Obama’s health care law and reduce spending. This resolution also started the discussion of how to put entitlement programs on a more sustainable path.
Johanns introduced, cosponsored and supported numerous amendments to balance the budget, rein in spending, lower taxes, repeal costly mandates in the President’s health care law, as well as the entire law, and help private-sector businesses by promoting regulatory transparency and accountability. Johanns also introduced an amendment banning EPA fly-overs of farms, ranches and agricultural operations.
Johanns-Led Amendments:
• The Senate adopted, by voice vote, an amendment Johanns introduced to repeal restrictions placed on health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA) by the President’s health care law. A $2,500 FSA contribution cap went into effect this year and a provision of the law already in effect prohibits HSA and FSA participants from using their account dollars to purchase over the counter medicines without a prescription.
• Several of Johanns’ amendments are similar to legislation he introduced earlier this year that call for common-sense EPA regulatory reforms. Specifically, the legislation would:
     o Require EPA’s Inspector General to report to Congress twice a year on the agency’s progress in meeting regulatory reporting requirements in current law. Johanns’ amendment similar to this legislation was adopted by unanimous consent. Under current law, EPA must publish any updates to its regulatory agenda in April and October. EPA totally ignored this requirement in 2012, publishing just one update last year. This update came in December, hiding EPA’s agenda until after the election.
     o Bring EPA guidance documents under the scope of the Congressional Review Act. Currently, only rules are covered under this clause. This has allowed EPA to use guidance documents to expand the agency’s regulatory reach without being subjected to Congressional oversight. Johanns’ legislation would close this loophole.
     o Promote transparency and cooperation with state governments by requiring EPA to provide timely information and technical assistance to states working to comply with EPA mandates. Environmental statutes firmly establish states as equal partners with EPA. Unfortunately, EPA’s actions show that it believes federal agencies should dictate implementation actions, rather than allowing states to develop their own plans.
     o Restrict EPA from conducting aerial surveillance to inspect or to record images of agricultural operations. The amendment recognizes the importance of the Clean Water Act and does not affect the use of traditional on-site inspections to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. A similar amendment offered to last year’s farm bill drew the support of 56 Senators, including 10 Democrats.
Johanns-Supported and -Cosponsored Amendments:
• Johanns cosponsored an amendment to allow the complete and permanent elimination of the federal estate tax, better known as the “death tax.”  The amendment would ensure that the higher levels of spending and debt under the Senate Democratic Budget are not financed in part by a second layer of taxation imposed on successful family businesses and farms upon the death of an owner.
• Johanns cosponsored an amendment requiring that any budget resolution considered in the Senate must be balanced in ten years. A three-fifths vote would be required to approve any budget resolution that does not balance within that period.
• Johanns supported an amendment to repeal a costly new tax in the President’s health care law. Under the law, manufacturers of medical devices must pay a 2.3 percent excise tax – an additional $30 billion – that will be added to the cost of care for Americans, hinder industry innovation and stifle job creation and the overall delivery of quality patient care. The tax, which took effect in January, is expected to put 43,000 American jobs at risk, according to the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed).
• Johanns cosponsored an amendment protecting Americans’ conscience rights while ensuring access to primary and preventive care.  The amendment would have overturned a requirement in the President’s health care law forcing religious employers to offer birth control and abortion-inducing drugs in their health insurance plans.  This violates Constitutional rights by requiring individuals and employers to provide services that go against their religious beliefs.
• Johanns supported an amendment calling for investment and job growth in domestic manufacturing and oil and gas production through the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The amendment received broad, bipartisan support.

Legislative Newsletter

Senator Tom Calrson
District 38

   

 March 20, 2013
We have passed the half way point of this long, 90 day session. Hearings are winding down and all day debate will begin next week. Morning debate so far has dealt with housekeeping bills and a few others that have been advanced by committees.
LB 613 has been the focus of debate for 8 hours the past three mornings. The bill provides authority to form The Tax Modernization Commission to consider possibilities for any appropriate changes to Nebraska tax policy. Points of the study could include: How to make our tax system fair for all and what must be true for our systems to be competitive with other states?
It should be simple, understandable, easy to follow, have good stability and not be prone to unpredictable fluctuations. It should provide adequate revenue to fund critical state services and
properly address the inter-relationships of various revenue sources within the state system.
A report of the commission findings is due by December 15, 2013. I believe it is imperative that any new tax system be completely fair with agriculture, our number one industry. It should also be fair with manufacturing, through which new businesses and jobs are created.
Senators and Committees, as well as the Speaker, have designated this session’s Priority Bills. Each senator chooses one, each committee chooses two bills, and the speaker chooses 25 bills. The priority designation does not guarantee a bill will be debated, but it does put it ahead of those without priority status.
As mentioned before in this column, my priority bill for this session is LB 517, to create the Water Sustainability Task Force. The task force would be made up of 28 members from across the state who represent all major interests in the proper management of our ground and surface water resources. Representing all water interests and areas of the state is critical to ensure fair and balanced water funding, which focuses on both water quantity and water quality.
The task force’s challenges will be to bring together all work that has been done in the past ten years, evaluate projects that have been proposed, include possible new projects, and evaluate and prioritize order for completion of projects, along with accurate cost estimates. All of those factors must be put together in an organized, believable 20 year strategic plan for water policy in Nebraska. The plan is due to the Governor and legislature by January 31, 2014. I hope to present the plan to the Legislature, through LB 516, in 2014 and request 20-year funding. Remember, water is our most valuable and precious natural resource.
The Business and Labor Committee has chosen LB 476 as a committee priority, which I also introduced. That bill would modify the provisions of the InterNE program to allow more flexibility for businesses, educational institutions, and students.
This intern program is managed through the Department of Economic Development to provide quality professional and technical internships for college age students. The program has been in place for nearly two years with good success. However, to attract more businesses and students, the bill would increase the number of students eligible for internships and eliminate weekly and hourly requirements. Businesses are reimbursed for the cost of the programs.

STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH

Duane A. Lienemann
UNL Extention Educator

Webster County
 March 22, 2013 Edition

     One of the most requested documents from our office this last couple of years has been the UNL Land Value and Rental Rate document that comes out annually about this time of year. We now have the 2013 material in hand and it is also available on the web @ http://agecon.unl.edu/cornhuskereconomics. According to UNL Ag Economist and survey guru, Bruce Johnson (whom I will quote heavily in this week’s edition), despite an extreme drought and indicators of weaker agricultural earnings on the horizon, the markets for agricultural land in Nebraska have remained strong into early 2013.

     Increased Land Values: In reviewing the survey, you will find that the preliminary findings from the 2013 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Developments Survey show the state’s all-land average value rose 25 percent over the 12-month period ending February 1, 2013. Survey reporters across the state reported percentage gains for all the farmland classes for the year ending February 1, 2013. But, the variation across the classes as well as across sub-state regions was extreme. Following on the advances for each of the previous two years of 22% and 32%, respectively, the 2013 all-land value is more than double the value of just three years previously, in early 2010. I noticed that southern Nebraska had the highest increase in land value for 2013 with a spike of 33%, which really didn’t surprise me with all of the recent land auctions in our part of the country.  Few would disagree that this period has clearly been a land boom!

     Drought conditions in 2012, no doubt, buoyed up market demand for irrigated cropland; and as a result the irrigated land classes had the largest percentage value gains across the state. Income flows from irrigated land have been phenomenal in recent years, and 2012 was no exception - the combination of favorable irrigated yields while widespread drought across the nation’s Corn Belt, fueled high crop commodity prices. In the Southern parts of Nebraska the percentage value advances for irrigated land were particularly strong over the past year. For dry-land cropland values, the percentage increases over the past year varied greatly across the state but was more than 30 percent higher in the South and Southeast Districts. The land class, dry-land cropland with irrigation potential, shows considerable variation as well. The presence of water moratoriums across much of the state precludes irrigation development even if groundwater sources exist. How about rental rates?

     Rental Rates: Not surprisingly the survey showed that 2013 cash rental rates for cropland were up from 2012 levels, depending on region and if it was irrigated. Preliminary estimates for dry-land cropland cash rents in Southern Nebraska averaged about 5% above a year ago. The increase was much below the annual rises of the past few years, no doubt reflecting the seriousness of soil moisture deficits going into the 2013 crop year. There is a high and low range, but I like using the average rental rates, and for Southern Nebraska the average for dry-land came out at $122 per acre.

     Across the state, center pivot irrigated cropland cash rental rates for 2013 were reportedly 13 to 15 percent above a year earlier. Reported rates for the high-third quality center pivot cropland were over $400 per acre across the eastern third of the state. I too have heard of those kinds of rates, and even about bidding wars. All in all, the difference between gravity and center pivot rental rates seemed to favor pivots by $30-60 per acre. The value of water in rain-deficit periods, particularly with the efficiency of the center pivot technology, is clearly being reflected in these rates. For Southern Nebraska the average rental rate was indicated at $275 per acre on gravity irrigated ground and $315 on center pivot irrigated land.

     Despite the heavy toll of drought that cut forage capacity as much as 50 percent or more during the 2012 grazing season, grazing land values still rose. Forage shortfalls for cattlemen may have actually caused a more spirited bidding for additional land, just to maintain their cow herd numbers. Unfortunately, even if the drought ends quickly, it may be several years before grazing capacity may be able to return to pre-drought levels. Pasture land rates on a per-acre basis moved upward for 2013 in most regions of the state. Last year’s forage production shortfalls, with depleted carry-over stocks into this year has sharpened the market for pasture, even though the potential grazing output will very likely be below normal for the year. On a cow-calf pair per month basis, the rates were up from a year earlier in all regions, with most districts showing gains in the three to six percent range. For Southern Nebraska the average pasture rental rate is $38 per acre or $40 per cow/calf pair per month. I do caution however that pasture rent options need to be carefully considered this year!

     Final Thoughts on Land Value: When you compare the percentage gains in value of agricultural land classes with the lower percentage gains in cash rental rates, a continuing pattern of lower rent-to-value ratios associated with all farmland classes is evident. The 2013 survey respondents frequently commented that current land prices being paid seemed overly-optimistic. When asked what they expected land value movements to be for the remainder of 2013, as well as out three to five years, the vast majority of respondents saw a market which had topped out with little, if any, upward movement in the near future. In fact, a sizable number of reporters thought values could weaken somewhat in the next few years. There is not only the worry of drought for 2013 but the potential for a weak price for corn and soybeans, especially if the continued pattern of wet weather east of the Missouri River continues. It would not be a surprise to me to see a backlash on these land prices. At some point, the implied economic returns to land as a percent of value can fall to a point where market participants say “enough” and no longer bid values higher. Here in Nebraska, we may be quickly approaching that point!

 

The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu or go to the website at: http://www.webster.unl.edu/home

Smith Supports Responsible Bills to Reduce Spending

 

House Budget Addresses Long-term Spending Problems, Bipartisan Resolution Will Prevent Lapses in Meat Inspection and Continue Military Tuition Assistance.

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today issued the following statement after voting in favor of the H.Con.Res. 25, the House Republican Budget and H.R. 933, which funds the government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2013:

“Today’s votes demonstrate Republicans in the House remain ready to make the difficult but necessary decisions to put our country on a more sustainable and prosperous path.  The Budget Resolution passed by the House is a responsible plan to rein in spending, reform the tax code, restore economic growth, and balance the budget.  We also voted to fund the government for the remainder of the year while making adjustments to prevent meat inspectors from being furloughed and to ensure our men and women in uniform have access to tuition assistance.”

Johanns, Paulsen Introduce Legislation Restoring Families' Health Care Flexibility, Freedom

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) and Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.) today introduced the Family Health Care Flexibility Act to repeal restrictions placed on health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA) by the President’s health care law. A $2,500 FSA contribution cap went into effect this year and another provision of the law already in effect prohibits HSA and FSA participants from using their own account dollars to purchase over the counter medicines without a prescription.
Johanns said, “These arbitrary and time-consuming changes are unwise and unfair to families trying to make good choices. Requiring prescriptions for aspirin or a doctor’s visit for hay-fever is not health care reform, it’s government overreach and interference. Families with children who have special needs are among those who rely heavily upon these accounts and they shouldn’t be punished. It’s time to restore these accounts and restore commonsense.”
Paulsen said, “It defies logic for Washington to restrict and deny the flexibility so many American families need in using their health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts. Forbidding families from using money they have set aside to purchase affordable over-the-counter medications such as Claritin and Tylenol not only wastes the time and money of families and individuals, but also places an additional burden on doctors and health professionals. Washington should be working to find ways to promote and protect programs that help lower the cost of healthcare and allow individuals to make better healthcare choices.”
HSAs and FSAs are special spending accounts that allow individuals to set aside pre-tax dollars for their health care costs. Prior to the health care law, FSAs had no contribution limits. This allowed families to plan for known or routine out-of-pocket health expenses not covered by insurance plans.
The contribution caps are especially harmful for families who have children with special needs. They can use these FSA accounts to pay for special education costs, which can cost up to $14,000 annually.
Many families use these special health care accounts for associated expenses like extra contact lenses, reading glasses and over-the-counter cold or allergy medications. The new requirements in the health care law force families to spend time and money to receive prescriptions for these common purchases before the purchases qualify for HSA and FSA spending.
The Johanns-Paulsen legislation, which currently has 11 cosponsors in the Senate and 35 in the House, is available HERE.

Lavonda Mae Schmidt April 28, 1940 to March 18, 2013

                                             
        

Hastings resident, LaVonda Mae Schmidt, 72 passed away Monday, March 18, 2013 in Lincoln, NE. Services will be Friday, March 22, 2013 at 10:30 at Faith Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul Dunbar officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, March 21, 2013 from 12 noon to 9 pm at the Brand-Wilson Funeral Home and one hour prior to service time at the church. Burial will be in the Presbyterian Cemetery, near Rosemont, NE. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.brandwilson.com. LaVonda was born April 28, 1940 in Webster County to Frank and Lillie (Johnson) Rose. She was baptized on June 2, 1940 at the Salem Lutheran Church, southwest of Rosemont and confirmed on June 14, 1953 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rosemont, NE. She graduated from the Eckley High School on May 15, 1957.  She married Donald Schmidt on November 28, 1963 they later divorced. LaVonda enjoyed playing cards and doing puzzles . She is survived by her mother, Lillie Rose, son, David Schmidt both of Hastings, and daughter, Deborah Murphy and husband Alan of Florida, and one sister Margene and husband Leslie Stevens of Kearney, NE. She was preceded in death by her father and an infant son, Daniel Schmidt. Memorials may be given to the Lutheran Hour or the donor's choice.

Gov. Heineman and State Agriculture Leaders Discuss National Agriculture Week in Nebraska

(Lincoln, Neb.) Photo Gallery Gov. Dave Heineman today called attention to Nebraska’s celebration of National Ag Week March 17-23. The Governor unveiled a new agricultural magazine, announced agriculture poster contest winners and outlined community stops planned for March 19.
“Agriculture is our state’s largest industry,” said Gov. Heineman. “Our farmers and ranchers work hard to raise the food, fuel and fiber we all use in our everyday lives. For those efforts, they deserve our appreciation.”
Governor Heineman was joined by Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann, Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach, Nebraska Farm Bureau First Vice President Mark McHargue, and the Brian and Hilary Maricle family, farmers from Albion.
“As a fourth generation farmer in Nebraska, I understand the contribution agriculture brings to the state and the world,” said Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann. “Agriculture is our state’s number one industry and it is important to raise awareness by celebrating National Agriculture week.”
Ibach announced the availability of a new magazine called Nebraska Agriculture and You. The magazine, published by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), is designed to share information about the state’s agriculture industry with general consumers. The Maricles are featured in the magazine.
“These days many folks do not have a direct tie to a farm or ranch, so their knowledge of food production is limited. In addition, today’s agriculture is also about fuel and fiber and all the agribusinesses associated with these things,” said Dir. Ibach. “The magazine is designed to help people understand a little bit about each of these, as well as give them a grasp of how critical agriculture is to the economy in Nebraska.”
The goal of NDA is to circulate the free, annually-produced magazine in settings where the general public can enjoy it, such as office lobbies of doctors, dentists, and hair salons. Nebraska FFA chapter members are helping deliver magazines to these types of locations in 20 of the largest communities.
“FFA students will be fanning out to these businesses in the next several weeks,” said Dir. Ibach “We hope businesses will support this educational effort by placing the magazines in their lobbies.”
Magazines also will be direct-mailed to select locations in Lincoln, Omaha and Grand Island and circulated through public libraries, Cooperative Extension, and chambers of commerce. Additionally, the magazine is available digitally at www.agr.ne.gov.
Additionally, Gov. Heineman announced the NDA Agriculture Poster Contest award winners. Each year elementary students have the opportunity to discuss agriculture while creating a poster to submit to NDA.
This year NDA had 2,987 entries, about double the usual amount. Winners include:
In the 1st and 2nd grade division:
1st place is: Trevor Goesch a second grader from West Boyd in Butte
2nd place is: Matt Cover a second grader from Weeping Water Public School in Weeping Water                                                   
 3rd place is: Samantha Burch a second grader from Weeping Water Public School in Weeping Water
Governor’s Choice is: Noah Morlan a second grader from Weeping Water Public School in Weeping Water
In the 3rd and 4th grade division:
1st place is: Ryan Sand a fourth grader from Tri-County Public Schools in DeWitt
2nd place is: Johnny Kaczmarek a third grader from Holy Ghost Catholic in Omaha                                                                              
3rd place is: Levi Belina a third grader from Howells Community Catholic School in Howells
Governor’s Choice is: Evie Schlickbernd a fourth grader from Guardian Angels in West Point
In the 5th and 6th grade division
1st place is: Tatum Vondra a sixth grader from Milford Elementary in Milford
2nd place is: Elizabeth Calderon a fifth grader from Knickrehm Elementary in Grand Island
3rd place is: Gustavo Matias a fifth grader from Knickrehm Elementary in Grand Island
Governor’s Choice is: Sierra Kile a sixth grader from St. Cecilia in Hastings
“It’s a fun way for students to explore their knowledge of farming and ranching,” said Gov. Heineman. “They are always very creative.”
The Governor was joined by Farm Bureau’s First Vice President to announce the March 19 Ag Day community visits. This year the Governor, Ibach, State Senator Ken Schilz will join Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson to visit Tecumseh, Papillion, and Wayne. The group will discuss issues such as livestock development, agricultural career opportunities, and agriculture’s role in the state economy during events at each stop.
"For us, farming and ranching isn’t just a job. It’s a way of life. Our belief is that there are few higher callings than helping provide the fundamental needs of food, fiber and energy for others,” said Mark McHargue. “Fortunately we live in a state with land and natural resources that gives us the ability to carry out our mission in providing those basic needs not just for Nebraskans, but for people across the country and the world.  We hope Nebraskans will join us during National Agriculture week in celebrating our state’s heritage in agriculture."

Washington Report: Meeting the Food Demands of the Future

Rep. Adrian Smith

  

Nebraska farmers are among the most efficient and productive in the world.  Our producers have embraced new technologies and techniques to produce an abundance of crops, opening the door to increased trade and helping to feed the world.  These advances have not only helped American agriculture thrive, but also play a critical role in meeting global food demands of the present and future.

By 2050, the Earth’s population is expected to swell to more than nine billion people.  To feed this growing population scientists believe we will need to produce more food in the next 50-100 years than we have throughout most of human history. Meeting this demand will require extraordinary efforts, especially considering it will have to be accomplished on the same amount of land (or less), and with fewer resources such as water.

This effort will only be realized if farmers around the world continue to increase their yields.  Farmers in Nebraska and across the heartland have led the way by utilizing new techniques, irrigation technologies, and crop sciences to grow more crops with less land, water, and fertilizer. 

Ryan Weeks, who serves on my Agriculture Advisory Council, raises popcorn, commercial corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and prairie hay in central Nebraska.  Ryan is one of the many Nebraska farmers using high-tech irrigation tools and modified crops to produce more food at lower costs and greater quality on the same acreage settled by his great-great grandparents in 1892.

Thanks to new technology, farmers such as Ryan are able to use computer systems to monitor moisture in the ground through sensors and only water the crops which need it.  The entire system is tracked by satellite and can be monitored and controlled remotely through a tablet or smartphone.  These advances help farmers manage their time and conserve water, reducing the cost of producing a crop and minimizing crop losses due to over- and under-watering.

Currently, about 17 percent of farmland in the United States is irrigated. These areas, however, account for around 50 percent of total annual crop revenue.

Another important development to improve productivity and efficiency are genetically modified and genetically engineered crops.  While modified foods are nothing new - humans have been cross-pollinating plants to create better crops for thousands of years - science is now helping us to create improved versions of these plants which require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.

To encourage further advances, federal policy should compliment, not undermine, innovation.  This means ensuring our regulatory structures are efficient and based on sound science.  We also must ensure our trading partners recognize our products as safe and nutritious based on internationally recognized standards.

We must also ensure lawmakers are knowledgeable and informed on agriculture issues to make sure we get the policy right.  As co-chairman of the House Modern Agriculture Caucus, I have held numerous briefings to educate Members of Congress and staff on innovations in agriculture including biotechnology, water conservation, and animal welfare. 

As we recognize National Agriculture Week (March 17-23) we have much to celebrate and many challenges ahead.  Knowing the work ethic and forward thinking of our producers combined with the exciting advances in agriculture, I am confident we will meet the food demands of our growing world.

 

 

Expanding Trade Opportunities for Nebraska Products in India

 

This week, I participated in a House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade hearing on U.S. – India relations.  The hearing examined both the enormous opportunities as well as the challenges in our trade relations with one of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies. 

The United States and India are experiencing the largest bilateral trade and investment flows ever with total goods and services trade in 2011 recorded at $86 billion between the two countries.  India is the 13th largest market for U.S. goods and services.

As India strives to prepare its economy for the challenges of its changing demographics, the country is putting in place policies to increase manufacturing, domestic industries and agricultural production.  The hearing this week was an effort to highlight opportunities in the Indian market while drawing attention to some of the policies which could signal India is turning inward and erecting barriers to trade and investment.  If the trend continues, U.S. businesses could find it increasingly difficult to sell to, enter, and operate in India.

During the hearing, I noted agricultural exporters in Nebraska’s Third District experience tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade in India.  I asked Allen F. Johnson, who served as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative from 2001 to 2005, to explain these barriers.  Click here to view a video of the exchange .

As we work to deepen and improve ties with India, it is critical Nebraska producers and companies are competing on a level playing field in this market.  I will continue to insist on science-based standards and internationally established trade practices as we work to reduce barriers and expand markets for American goods in India and around the world.

As always, feel free to forward my e-newsletter to family and friends, or let them know they can sign up to receive updates from my office on my website at: http://adriansmith.house.gov .  

Sincerely,

ADRIAN SMITH
Member of Congress  

A TRILLION DOLLAR TAX HIKE

It was an historic week in the United States Congress. For the first time in 92 years, Congress began the budget-making process without first receiving a budget from the president. This effort was a necessary step given that the president’s budget has been delayed for over a month, despite legal requirements for a timely submission to Congress.
Like many Nebraskans, I was initially encouraged by news that, after four years, Senate Democrats had finally agreed to work with Republicans to craft a budget. But I was disappointed to learn their plan, which was unveiled by Budget Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.), includes $1.5 trillion in new taxes and no plan to balance the budget. I was also troubled to hear the president state balancing the budget is “not a priority.”
Let me be clear: balancing the budget is a top priority of for me.
Over the past four years, the American people have seen $1.7 trillion in new taxes and $518 billion in new regulations – all while adding nearly $6 trillion to the national debt. Nebraskans know we must grow the economy, not the debt. 
Unfortunately, the budget released by Senator Murray was crafted without any Republican input and actually increases spending. In Nebraska when the Legislature had to cut funding to deal with revenue shortfall, we used the committee process to identify real spending cuts. Conversely, the Senate Budget Committee fashioned a vague, purely political document that fails to make any meaningful reductions.
This is no way to produce a responsible budget, and I believe Nebraskans deserve better.
A responsible budget does not continue out-of-control federal spending; rather, it sets priorities and cuts wasteful spending.
A responsible budget does not let Medicare and Social Security continue to slip toward insolvency; instead, it saves these programs for current retirees and future generations.
A responsible budget does not hit America’s job creators with $1 trillion in new taxes; instead, it seeks to replace our antiquated tax code through comprehensive pro-growth tax reform.
I am concerned the Budget Committee will likely attach binding instructions to the budget resolution requiring the Finance Committee to raise “revenue” (which we all know means more “taxes”) through the procedural tactic called “reconciliation” – the same procedure used to push ObamaCare through the Senate.
As I’ve mentioned before, cherry-picking politically motivated, industry-specific tax credits or loopholes to pay for more government spending undermines our well-intentioned efforts to comprehensively reform the tax code.
The American people deserve a simpler, fairer tax code and I believe there is, for the first time in many years, real momentum to get something done on tax reform this year. The leaders of the tax-writing committees on both sides of the aisle have expressed a desire to move forward on tax reform. That is why I am so concerned about the Senate Democrats’ budget and its requirement to raise taxes without the needed tax reform to lower rates and broaden the base – the winning formula that we know was used for tax reform in 1986.          
Finally, I know many Nebraskans continue to express concern about the painful effects of sequestration, or those automatic, across-the-board spending cuts. While I believe we must cut wasteful spending, I also consider sequestration a bad idea. Instead, I support responsible replacement cuts, which make fiscal sense, reduce actual spending, and ensure government can continue to meet its core responsibilities.
This week, I cosponsored an amendment to provide the Administration with the flexibility it claims it currently does not have to ensure “essential” federal employees continue to provide vital services, including meat inspections, control tower operations, defense operation, border security, and other core duties. I hope that this common sense amendment is adopted. I will continue to work with my colleagues – Republicans and Democrats – to make smarter, more careful spending cuts.
Thank you for taking part in our democratic process, and I’ll visit with you again next week. 
Deb Fischer
United States Senator

FISCHER, HEITKAMP CALL ON SEC. KERRY TO QUICKLY APPROVE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) announced today they have written a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry calling for expeditious approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The bipartisan letter notes that after nearly five years, updated plans for the project have passed through the most rigorous environmental and safety tests in history. Yet, a presidential permit for the project remains outstanding. In light of the State Department’s finding in its recently released draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) that the pipeline project will have minimal environmental impact along the proposed route, Senators Fischer and Heitkamp believe it is time for this project to finally move forward.
“Since my time in the Nebraska Legislature, I have worked in a bipartisan manner to ensure a fair process for consideration of this critical energy infrastructure project. Through this exhaustive review, the environmental integrity and economic benefits of the pipeline have been clearly demonstrated. We’re done with studies, let’s start building,” said Fischer.
“The Keystone XL pipeline is a shovel-ready project that will create good paying American jobs, contribute to our goals of energy security and North American energy independence, and will give producers in North Dakota another on-ramp to deliver Bakken crude to Gulf Coast refineries. These are the kind of the projects that the Administration should be getting behind wholeheartedly in the face of lagging unemployment numbers and a stated energy policy of utilizing all available resources,” said Heitkamp.
“We are building out our pipeline infrastructure every day in this country and this reason alone made the delays in approving this project hard to rationalize. The draft SEIS should put the decision beyond doubt, the SEIS found that the pipeline will have no significant impact along its proposed route. It is time to move on and approve the application for the Keystone XL pipeline without further delay,” Heitkamp concluded.
A copy of the signed letter is available here, and plain text is below.

*  *  *

March 14, 2013

The Honorable John Kerry
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC  20520
Dear Secretary Kerry:
We write to urge the expeditious approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, a project which has the clear capacity to grow our economy and energy security without having a significant impact on the environment.  The two issues that had been holding up approval, a new route through Nebraska and an environmental impact study, have now been resolved in a manner that leaves little doubt that it is time to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.
While the state of Nebraska did not have any specific permitting or siting requirements at the time of TransCanada’s initial application for a Presidential permit, a state-level process was established.  This process allowed for the examination of alternative pipeline siting that would avoid the Sandhills region of Nebraska, which has a high concentration of wetlands, areas of shallow groundwater, and a unique ecosystem.  The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality provided an evaluation of the alternative route by soliciting public comments for more than seven months, holding five public information meetings and one public hearing, and analyzing the environmental, social, and other impacts associated with the proposed route and route alternatives in Nebraska.  Ultimately, the state of Nebraska approved the route, finding that the construction and operation of the pipeline, with the mitigation and commitments from Keystone, would have minimal environmental impact.
The draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) affirmed what states along the pipeline route determined in their own environmental reviews—this project is environmentally sound and should move forward.  The draft SEIS provided an exhaustive and comprehensive review of the proposed route and all the attendant primary and secondary impacts, and it also analyzed the impact on further development and production of the Alberta oil sands.  The draft SEIS found that the pipeline would cause minimal environmental impacts along the route, and, more importantly, the Alberta oil sands will find their way to Gulf Coast refineries or the west coast of Canada by using alternate, fuel-intensive transportation such as rail and truck.  Canada will continue to develop this resource; the only question left is whether the United States will seize the opportunity to partner with our friend and neighbor in realizing the project’s potential.
Now that the Keystone XL Pipeline has undergone the most rigorous review process of any pipeline in U.S. history and demonstrated its environmental integrity, it is time to reap the benefits of this project.  These benefits include the creation of more than 42,000 construction jobs, which would bring in wages of about $2.05 billion, as well as another $3.3 billion in other spending.  In addition to bringing oil from our ally, Canada, the pipeline will also have the ability to transport crude from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota and Montana, where transportation infrastructure has not kept up with the increased production of our own domestic energy supply.
After nearly five years of exhaustive study and environmental review, the American people are anxiously awaiting this Administration’s national interest determination.  Indeed, it is in our nation’s interest to move forward on this project that will create American jobs and facilitate the delivery of oil to U.S. refineries from good, reliable sources, instead of relying on oil from unpredictable sources and unstable regions throughout the world.  We urge your quick approval and thank you for your consideration.
Deb Fischer                              Heidi Heitkamp

Meeting the Food Demands of the Future

   

Nebraska farmers are among the most efficient and productive in the world.  Our producers have embraced new technologies and techniques to produce an abundance of crops, opening the door to increased trade and helping to feed the world.  These advances have not only helped American agriculture thrive, but also play a critical role in meeting global food demands of the present and future.

By 2050, the Earth’s population is expected to swell to more than nine billion people.  To feed this growing population scientists believe we will need to produce more food in the next 50-100 years than we have throughout most of human history. Meeting this demand will require extraordinary efforts, especially considering it will have to be accomplished on the same amount of land (or less), and with fewer resources such as water.
This effort will only be realized if farmers around the world continue to increase their yields.  Farmers in Nebraska and across the heartland have led the way by utilizing new techniques, irrigation technologies, and crop sciences to grow more crops with less land, water, and fertilizer.
Ryan Weeks, who serves on my Agriculture Advisory Council, raises popcorn, commercial corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and prairie hay in central Nebraska.  Ryan is one of the many Nebraska farmers using high-tech irrigation tools and modified crops to produce more food at lower costs and greater quality on the same acreage settled by his great-great grandparents in 1892.
Thanks to new technology, farmers such as Ryan are able to use computer systems to monitor moisture in the ground through sensors and only water the crops which need it.  The entire system is tracked by satellite and can be monitored and controlled remotely through a tablet or smartphone.  These advances help farmers manage their time and conserve water, reducing the cost of producing a crop and minimizing crop losses due to over- and under-watering.
Currently, about 17 percent of farmland in the United States is irrigated. These areas, however, account for around 50 percent of total annual crop revenue.
Another important development to improve productivity and efficiency are genetically modified and genetically engineered crops.  While modified foods are nothing new - humans have been cross-pollinating plants to create better crops for thousands of years - science is now helping us to create improved versions of these plants which require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
To encourage further advances, federal policy should compliment, not undermine, innovation.  This means ensuring our regulatory structures are efficient and based on sound science.  We also must ensure our trading partners recognize our products as safe and nutritious based on internationally recognized standards.
We must also ensure lawmakers are knowledgeable and informed on agriculture issues to make sure we get the policy right.  As co-chairman of the House Modern Agriculture Caucus, I have held numerous briefings to educate Members of Congress and staff on innovations in agriculture including biotechnology, water conservation, and animal welfare.
As we recognize National Agriculture Week (March 17-23) we have much to celebrate and many challenges ahead.  Knowing the work ethic and forward thinking of our producers combined with the exciting advances in agriculture, I am confident we will meet the food demands of our growing world.