Ryal W. Reis January 31, 1927 to June 20, 2013

Hastings resident, Ryal W. Reis, 86, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2013 at Perkins Pavilion, Good Samaritan Society, Hastings-Village. Rosary will be Sunday, June 23, 2013 at 7 pm at Brand-Wilson Chapel, Hastings, NE with Father Michael Houlihan officiating. Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, June 24, 2013 at 10 am at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with Father Michael Houlihan officiating. Burial will be in Blue Valley Cemetery, Ayr, NE. Visitation will be Sunday, June 23, 2013 from 1 pm to 7 pm with the family present from 6 pm to 7 pm at the Brand-Wilson Funeral Home, Hastings, NE. Condolences may be sent to the family from www.brandwilson.com. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established.
     Royal was born January 31, 1927 to Frank C. and Minnie (Gartner) Reis at the Glasco General Hospital in Hastings, NE. He was baptized at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. He attended grade school at the Baton School south of Blue Hill, NE.
   His parents moved to Reis farm located SW of Hastings in the spring of 1939.He then went to District 5 School. He graduated from Roseland High School on May 9, 1944.
     He served in the United States Army from May 1, 1945 to July 30, 1946 during WWII stationed in Japan.
He married Virginia M. Schreiner on October 10, 1949 at the Assuption BVM Catholic Church in Topeka, KS; she passed away, July 12, 1995.
Ryal worked on the pipeline and helped his father-in-law do construction while living in Topeka until 1956.
They moved to Roseburg and then Salem, OR.
In March of 1959 they returned to Adams County where he farmed until February 1985. He also had dairy cows for a few years before switching to beef.
He sold Sentry Pac and J-1000 units to area farmers for grain bins before moving to Hastings in 2008. He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Juniata American Legion, Hastings V.F.W., DAV, Knights of Columbus, Eagles Aerie 592 all in Hastings, and was a member of the Liederkranz in Grand Island, NE.
 He also served as a board member for Coop Grain & Supply of Roseland and the Sirloin Club. He served on the Hastings and Adams County as a member of the area planning & zoning commission from October 1979 to July 1985.
He was a member of the VFW firing squad and burial detail for many years until he could no longer help due to his health. He was also a member of the Blue Valley Cemetery Board. He also served as post commander of the local VFW for a number of years.
    He so loved to dance that many a weekend was spent following bands in NE and KS.
    He is survived by two daughters and spouses, Linda Trausch (Edward), of Hastings, NE and Cynthia Berry (Larry) of Pisgah, IA, one son and spouse, Brian Reis (Barb) of Ortonville, MI, 6 grandchildren, Aaron Karr (Gena) of Arlington, NE, Angela Karr of Omaha, NE, Chad (Leah) Trausch of Juniata, NE, Scott (Angela) Trausch of Hastings, NE, Briahna Reis and Brandon Reis of Ortonville, MI, and 9 great grandchildren, Garris Karr and Aadra Karr of Arlington, NE, Myah Hays of Omaha, NE, Libby, Jack, Annie and Elin Trausch of Juniata, NE, and Grant and Morgan Trausch of Hastings, N, two brothers, Wilbur Reis of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Franklin Reis of Ayr, NE, one sister and spouse, Ardyce M. (Cal) Burge of Blue Hill, NE, two brother-in-law and their spouses, LeRoy (Jeanie) Schreiner of Topeka, KS, and Don (Ruth) Schreiner of Summerfield, FL and longtime friend, Lorene Buscher of Hastings, NE.
     He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Virginia, sister-in-laws, Ruby Reis, Janet Reis and Jackie Schreiner and brother-in-law, Clarence Schreiner.

A note from the Past

My mother passed away in March and my sister and I were clearing out my mother's home getting rid of what she had saved during her life.  I found  letters that I had written to her back in 1967.  (and she had saved them) And considering how dry and hot it has been there in Blue Hill lately I thought some might be interested to remember what the weather was like back then .  Here is part of my letter to my mother written in June 1967. 
"We had half our average annual rainfall  (about 5 inches) between May 26th and June 15th.  The weather has been quite cool."
Last Saturday the high was 56 but today (June 26th)  it did get up to 76.  The forecast is for rain again today and tomorrow.   The wheat is getting rusty and the weeds are taking over everything else because the farmers can't get in the fields to cultivate.  The hay either hasn't been cut or is laying in the field rotting because it is too wet to go in after it.  The farmers in the area are all about to have nervous breakdowns because they can't do what should be done."
It was also interesting to be reminded of this turtle story again from 1967. 
"Several weeks ago  I let the kids each buy a tiny baby turtle.  A week later one of the turtles got lost.  I think it was Murtle, Touche stayed with us another week and then he took a vacation for a week before he turned up in the bedroom closet.  ( We think it was Touche we found but it may have been Murtle.)  We put him back in his cage and he stayed with us except for short strolls until we got home from swimming today.  He was gone, we looked for him everywhere.  No luck, but since he had been gone before we were still hopeful that he might turn up.  About 8 p.m. this evening the dog began having a fit outside so we went out to see what was up with  him and found that he was barking at a turtle.  It was about the size of a salad plate.  Ted (was nearly 3 then) says it is Murtle or Touche and they have eaten a lot of grass and grown.  But I have insisted that we wait and see if we find one here in the house before we start calling this one Murtle or Touche.  The turtle is presently at home in the bathtub.  Just wait til Norman gets home tonight and jumps in the tub for a refreshing dip and finds he is bathing with a turtle.  I am afraid we will have to release the turtle soon as we can't have it in the tub forever and I don't want it running loose in the house like the other two  But I did tell the kids they could keep it for a while.  I don't think the Turtle will be my friend for that, the kids don't get close however, they are just a little afraid of it yet.  They let the little ones walk on their hands but they don't even touch this one.  "
The letter also brought back memories of my little farmer.
"Ted put in a long day in the fields too, he took his tractors and machinery outside yesterday and starting plowing up a "field".  He worked until dark last night and was back at it again right after dinner today.  He was in and out all day long.  I had to go out several times to see his different "fields", he has a lot of crops to put in.  He sure came in dirty tonight, the ground is very, very, damp, you might even say wet, but that doesn't slow down this ambitious farmer.  He even plows with one hand while he is disking with another tractor in the other hand.  We have explained to him that it is dangerous for a farmer to try to operate two tractors at once but he is so anxious to get the work done while he can that he just keeps going as fast as he can.  I hope that he gets a good crop, that may be hard as he doesn't have a planter or any seeds to plant but so far he hasn't thought of that and I do hope that no one mentions it.'

Reducing Violence in the Ranks

Sen. Deb Fischer

Nowhere is trust more important than in the United States military – a unique institution built on the chain-of-command tradition. Young men and women must trust their commanders leading them into battle. They must trust the president, their Commander-in-Chief. They must trust Congress to take seriously the decision to send them into harm’s way. And they must trust their fellow service members in the foxholes.

While the sexual assault crisis in the military is alarming for a number of reasons, the breach of trust is most troubling.
It seems like almost every day, there is another story in the news about sexual violence in the ranks. From service academy dorm rooms to tight submarine quarters, the problem of sexual assault has pervaded almost every aspect of military life. The numbers are staggering. The Pentagon released a report showing that 26,000 military personnel had been the victims of unwanted sexual contact in 2012. In a disturbing twist of irony, we have also discovered that certain sexual assault prevention officers have been accused of the very crimes they are charged with preventing. Unfortunately, crimes are often not reported because victims are embarrassed, or fear retribution. This is unacceptable.
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), I have worked with my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, to address this scourge. Sexual assault in the military is not a gender issue; it is a violence issue. I have stressed this reality throughout all of my efforts.
In early May, I attended a bipartisan White House summit on the issue. Just two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to question top commanders at a landmark sexual assault
hearing. I am pleased to report that the product of this work by the Armed Services Committee is meaningful legislative change that will make a real difference.
On June 13, the Armed Services Committee approved, with my support, the national defense authorization bill – annual legislation that sets funding priorities for the military. This year’s legislation addresses the sexual assault crisis by requiring an independent review of any decisions by commanders not to prosecute sexual assault allegations. It also makes retaliation against victims a crime. I was pleased that two key, bipartisan amendments I cosponsored were also adopted.
The amendment I cosponsored with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) directly bolsters the rights of victims impacted by crimes. Our amendment empowers victims of sexual assault by ensuring they are aware of their basic rights to be informed, present, and heard at critical stages throughout their ordeal. This is the least the system owes to those it failed to protect.
I also worked with Senator Shaheen (D-N.H.) to secure passage of an amendment requiring a higher standard for those appointed to all Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) offices. These SAPR officers are the very individuals charged with
ensuring our men and women in uniform are safe from predators in their own ranks. It’s clear the military is in desperate need of higher caliber individuals in these critical positions.
In addition to addressing sexual assault, the national defense bill more broadly provides our men and women in uniform with the resources they need to fulfill their many missions. Importantly, this year’s bill supports STRATCOM’s vital missions of missile defense and nuclear deterrence. Nebraskans know we live in an increasingly dangerous world, and this bill goes a long way in ensuring our military is ready to meet 21^st century challenges.
Congress’s first constitutional charge is providing for the common defense. I take this responsibility very seriously, and I remain committed to ensuring our men and women are the best-equipped, best-trained fighting force in the world. This includes protecting our service members – men and women – from sexual predators. We do that with commonsense policies that promote a culture of mutual respect and accountability. We owe our defenders nothing less.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you
again next week.
Deb Fischer
United States Senator

Washington Report: Next Steps for the Farm Bill

Rep. Adrian Smith

 

Enactment of a long-term Farm Bill is among my highest priorities.  The certainty provided by a five-year bill is critical for Nebraska producers and our agriculture-based economy.  After years of deliberation, I was very disappointed the Farm Bill did not pass in the House of Representatives this week.

I thought we would have the votes this year for a bipartisan bill to establish reasonable farm policy and make reforms to reduce spending.  Unfortunately, members on both sides of the aisle allowed “the perfect to be the enemy of good,” which prevented us from moving the bill to a conference committee.

The reforms included in the House Farm Bill would have reduced spending by more than $40 billion over ten years compared with current policy.  For some this cut was too much; for others it was not enough.

 
Democrats opposed to the House Farm Bill argued against reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps.  SNAP spending has increased 105 percent since 2008 when Congress last passed a five-year Farm Bill, and nutrition programs make up about 80 percent of total spending in the bill.  Unfortunately, some were unwilling to accept even modest reforms to reduce spending without decreasing benefits for those in need.  Only 24 Democrats supported the Farm Bill.

 

Some Republicans did not think these and other reforms went far enough and joined Democrats in opposition to the bill.  I understand their concerns and I also would like to see more done to address spending.  However, recognizing the importance of farm policy to our agriculture-based economy, and the difficulty of passing spending cuts through a divided Congress and getting them signed by President Obama – I believe the House Farm Bill was a reasonable compromise.

While I am disappointed, the House acted its will and it is important we continue to use the legislative process.  We now must examine our options to get the bill to a conference committee with the Senate.  I remain committed and optimistic we will get a long-term, responsible Farm Bill done, and will continue encouraging my colleagues to do the same.

  To receive updates from my office on my website at: http://adriansmith.house.gov .  

Sincerely,

ADRIAN SMITH
Member of Congress

Johanns Supports Fiscally Responsible Spending Caps

 

Says “This was [the Senate’s] opportunity to responsibly turn off the sequester.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) today voted in the Senate Appropriations Committee to set federal spending caps consistent with current law, as set in the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011. This cap, however, was rejected along party lines with Democrats voting to spend an additional $91 billion above the legal limit in the next fiscal year alone.
“Ignoring the spending levels we all agreed to in the last Congress and the President signed into law does nothing to get a handle on our nation’s debt and deficit,” Johanns said. “In fact, all it does do is allow Senators to continue spending while setting the stage for another round of sequester cuts. This was our opportunity to responsibly turn off the sequester. The majority should remember that come this fall."

Susan M. Sund

Susan Marie Sund, 58, of Hastings, Nebraska, died Monday, June 17, 2013, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings, Nebraska. Services are Friday, June 21, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Blue Hill, Nebraska, with Rev. Steve Marsh officiating. Burial will be at the Blue Hill Cemetery in Blue Hill.

Senate Passes Johanns, Pryor Border Security Amendment

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) and Mark Pryor (D-Ark) today issued the following statements after the Senate adopted their amendment to encourage the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to recruit service members and veterans to serve in border security positions. It was accepted by voice vote.
“Encouraging DHS to fill border patrol agents vacancies with service members and veterans helps secure the border while also providing military personnel a way to continue serving our country,” Johanns said. “I’m pleased my colleagues agreed to our amendment and hope it is a sign that there will be support for additional amendments to finally, measurably secure our borders.”
“We’ve made great strides when it comes to strengthening our border and cracking down on corruption, but more needs to be done,” Pryor said. “Our bipartisan amendment will encourage the Department of Homeland Security to recruit highly skilled military members and veterans for border patrol agent positions so we can have a stronger, more secure border.”
The amendment requires DHS to establish a program to actively recruit National Guard and Reserve members and veterans to serve as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. To improve retention, this provision also allows DHS to provide student loan assistance in exchange for three years of service.

FISCHER COSPONSORS DEATH TAX REPEAL ACT

Bill Provides Important Tax Relief for Farmers, Ranchers, Small Business Owners

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) announced today that she is cosponsoring the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013 (S.1183), a bill to abolish the federal estate tax, commonly known as the “death tax.”
“I believe it is wrong to tax hardworking Americans twice – once when they earn their money, and again when they give it away. Nebraskans know all too well that small business owners and family farmers and ranchers – our chief job creators – are hit hardest by the death tax,” said Senator Fischer. “These families invest time, resources, energy, and faith in growing their businesses, farms, and ranches, which many hope to pass on to the next generation. This legacy is undermined, and sometimes prevented all together, by the unfair death tax. That is why fully and permanently repealing the death tax is a top priority of mine, and this legislation accomplishes that goal.”
The Death Tax Repeal Act:

• Repeals the federal estate tax;
• Repeals the generation skipping transfer (GST) tax;
• Makes permanent a maximum 35 percent gift tax and a $5 million lifetime gift exemption; and
• Maintains stepped-up basis provisions important for family farms and businesses.

Cosponsors to the Death Tax Repeal Act include Senators Thune, McConnell, Hatch, Cornyn, Barrasso, Rubio, Johanns, Boozman, Grassley, Shelby, Crapo, Heller, Inhofe, Moran, Chambliss, Roberts, Vitter, Kirk, Enzi, Risch, Isakson, Blunt, Lee, Toomey, and Ayotte.
The Death Tax Repeal Act is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, Associated Builders and Contractors, National Association of Manufacturers, National Federation of Independent Business, 60 Plus Association, Americans for Tax Reform, Club for Growth, National Black Chamber of Commerce, International Franchise Association, National Taxpayers Union, American Conservative Union, Family Business Coalition, and many others

Joke of the Day

A bartender was so sure he was the strongest man in town that he offered a standing $1,000 bet. He would squeeze all the juice out of a lemon and then hand it to someone at the bar. If that person could squeeze even one more drop out of the lemon, he'd win the money.

Many people had tried, but no one had ever won. Then one day a tiny, scrawny little man walked in and challenged the bartender. All of the patrons laughed at the man, but the bartender agreed to the challenge and squeezed the lemon as hard as he could. Then he handed the shriveled remains to the man. The crowd gasped as the little man squeeze six more drops of juice from the lemon. Flabbergasted, the bartender paid the man his $1,000 and asked, "What do you do for a living? Are you a weightlifter? A lumberjack?"

"Oh, no," the man replied. "I work for the IRS."

South Central Livestock Exposition June 22

     The 4-H Junior Leaders of Webster County will be sponsoring a South Central Nebraska Livestock Exposition that will be held at the Webster County Fairgrounds in Bladen, NE on Saturday, June 22. The Exposition is a progressive show for market and breeding beef, market and breeding sheep and for market goats. There will also be showmanship classes in each species. The show is open to all 4-H and/or FFA exhibitors who are in good standing within their respective club or chapter and state association. 

     Exhibitors can take advantage of a reduced entry fee if registrations are received by June 19. Exhibitors may however also register on the day of the show. Fees can be sent with early registration or may be paid on site on June 21 & 22. Exhibitors can make checks payable to: Webster County Junior Leaders. 

     The preparations for the show will start with early check-in on Friday evening, June 21. All beef, sheep and goat exhibits may be checked in, registration confirmed, and market beef weighed between 6:00-8:00 pm, June 21. Late arriving beef may check in from 7:00-8:00 am, June 22. Beef exhibits will be accepted until 8:00 am, Saturday morning, June 22, and must be on the grounds and checked and weighed-in prior to that time. No beef entries will be accepted after 8:00 am, Saturday morning. Late arriving sheep and goat entries will be checked in and/or weighed between 8:00 and 10:00 am, June 22. No sheep or goat entries will be accepted after 10:00 am on June 22. All entries with the exception of breeding stock must have a current FFA or 4-H tag. All does, ewes and intact goat or sheep males must also have a scrapies tag in addition to their identification tag. There is a registration fee for each animal with early registrations by June 19 receiving a discount.

     The Exposition will start with the 4-H and FFA Open Beef show at 9:00 am, with the sheep and goat shows following directly after conclusion of the beef show. Rosettes and/or ribbons will be awarded to all exhibits. Added purse is available with cash prizes to be awarded to the top exhibits in each species. Special cash premiums will be awarded to the top exhibits in each species shown by Webster County exhibitors.

     For more information and entries, please contact any of the Webster County 4-H Young Leaders or Carol Kumke (Jr. Leader director) at ckumke2@unl.edu.  Flyers, rules and entry forms are also available from the Webster County UNL Extension Office in Red Cloud at 402-746-3417 or on the web at www.webster.unl.edu . You may also email Dewey Lienemann (UNL Extension Educator for Webster County) at dlienemann2@unl.edu .

     The public is cordially invited to attend this multi-state South Central Nebraska Livestock Exposition progress show and see some of the best animals in the country go head-to-head.  

Johanns Sponsors Border Security Amendment

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) today cosponsored an amendment to the immigration legislation before the Senate to increase border security. The amendment, the Requiring Enforcement, Security and Safety While Upgrading Lawful Trade and Travel Simultaneously (RESULTS) Amendment, was introduced by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

“Amendments like this are the reason the Senate needs to have this important debate,” Johanns said. “America should be a nation of tall fences with wide gates so we continue attracting the best and the brightest while having full control of our borders. This amendment is exactly where the conversation about immigration reform should begin.”

The RESULTS Amendment requires the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, and the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General, in consultation with Government Accountability Office Comptroller General, to jointly certify that the United States has:
• Monitoring capability all along the Southern border,
• Full control of the border,
• A fully operational and utilized border exit system at all air and sea ports of entry, and
• A fully functioning nationwide workforce verification system.
The amendment would also increase the number of border patrol and customs officers and authorizes new grants to help local law enforcement agencies combat drug trafficking and human smuggling.
Finally, the amendment would prohibit illegal immigrants convicted of serious misdemeanors such as domestic violence, aggravated assault, child abuse, violation of a protection order and drunk driving from receiving temporary legal status.

Gov. Heineman Announces Nebraska's Veterans' Homes Receive Perfect Scores

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today announced that all four Veterans’ homes administered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have received perfect scores on their most recent annual Health Care System Surveys from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Included are the Eastern Nebraska Veterans’ Home in Bellevue, the Grand Island Veterans’ Home in Grand Island, the Western Nebraska Veterans’ Home in Scottsbluff and the Norfolk Veterans’ Home in Norfolk.
“This is a noteworthy achievement and shows the dedication of our veterans home employees,” said Gov. Heineman.
The facilities had no deficiencies in the areas of life safety, resident care, environment, staff training and development, dietary-food service, banking and billing services for veterans, recreation/activities, medical staff credentialing, social work, and all areas related to quality assurance and care.
“Nebraska has a proud tradition of taking care of its veterans,” said Gov. Heineman.  “I recognize that serving those who served our country is important and the right thing to do. Achieving perfect survey scores demonstrates our commitment to providing quality care to veterans.”
Survey teams from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are typically an interdisciplinary team comprised of three RNs, a Registered Dietician and a Life Safety Code expert from various parts of the country.
With a total capacity of 637 beds, the four Veterans’ Homes provide a variety of medical, nursing and rehabilitative services, tailored to the needs of their members. Services range from assisted living care for members able to essentially care for themselves, to skilled nursing care.  Members’ health care services are administered by dedicated nurses, physicians, dieticians, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physical therapists and other professionally trained personnel.
“To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time all four Veterans’ homes have achieved deficiency-free surveys in less than a year,” said John Hilgert, Director of the Division of Veterans’ Homes in DHHS. “It obviously represents extremely committed and competent staff members who live the mission of serving America’s heroes with honor and respect.”
The four Veterans’ Homes in Nebraska strive to serve the unique needs of each member by providing high quality services and holistic long-term care in a homelike veterans’ community.

Big Fish tournament Winner.

Toby Alber and the 17 pound catfish to make a total of 55 pounds of catfish for the team of
Alber and Wibben to win the tournament at Harlan County.  Nearest competition had 35 pounds of catfish.

Weekly Column Closing the Gaps of Immigration Reform

 

Sen. Mike Johanns

 

Today, more than 11 million people illegally live in America. That’s almost six times the size of Nebraska’s entire population. You can bet that number grows each day because of our porous, insecure southern border.
There’s no doubt our current immigration system is broken, and there’s no doubt that fixing it will be a monumental task. For several months now, a bipartisan group of eight senators, commonly known as the “Gang of Eight,” has worked hard to come up with a proposal to modernize our nation’s immigration system and create new policies that will have implications for virtually every community in America. So it is important for the other 92 senators to have a say in this discussion, and offer their suggestions to improve the current proposal.
Any solution to our flawed immigration system must start with border security. Unfortunately, the current proposal fails to ensure this fundamental requirement, and in fact, allows the Obama Administration to simply declare the border secure. That’s why I have supported a number of amendments to ensure we have full control over who enters our country.
One amendment, introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R-Tex.), requires measurable assurance that our border is under control. It increases the number of Border Patrol and Customs Officers by 10,000, provides for new tools to efficiently and effectively monitor border weaknesses and points of entry and prevents illegal immigrants who have committed violent crimes from obtaining legal status.
I am the lead cosponsor of another bipartisan amendment introduced by Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), which helps secure our border while creating jobs for our highly skilled military service members and returning veterans. It provides incentives, such as student loan assistance, to members of the National Guard and Reserves, as well as former members of the military who choose to bring their security expertise to the Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agencies. This amendment allows our current and former military heroes to utilize their battlefield skills to protect America right here at home.
These are just a couple of examples of how the current proposal can and should be improved, with many more likely to come. Like our current border situation, the proposal before the Senate has many weaknesses which must be addressed before our border is truly secure and our immigration system is improved. The only way to do this is an open and robust debate that allows for votes on ideas from both Republicans and Democrats. Any effort to prevent such a discussion will only result in another failed attempt to rectify the problems facing America’s immigration system. We have an opportunity now to get this right for our nation, but it’s going to require input from lawmakers from across party lines and across the country. There is no room for politics in a debate with many far-reaching consequences

.STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH

Duane A. Lienemann
UNL Extension Educator

  Beginning in 1956 a slogan “The Beef State” was embossed on all Nebraska license plates and that recognition remained until 1965. That was right during my informative years and thus holds a special place in my memory banks.  I think I could even go to the farmstead that I grew up and find at least a couple of old vehicles that still sport those classic license plates with unique county number; vehicle number; the year split on top with Nebraska in between; and the proud proclamation on the bottom - “The Beef State”.  It was with good reason, as the beef industry is Nebraska's single largest industry, driving much of the state's economy. Let me reiterate that…beef is the most important commodity in this state, and most people don’t know how closely associated we are with it.  In plain language, beef is the first effort of the state and corn is second, which will be news to some of my friends that frequent the local co-op every morning for coffee.
     I was glad to see an effort that started last year with LB1095 which allowed for the reintroduction of the classic Beef State license plates, creating a new type of specialty license plate that in effect resurrects the Nebraska Beef State license plates used decades ago. This plate will now become available under a system similar to the Husker license plates. No, they are not going to replace the current one we now have which I believe will be used through 2017.  I find this as a unique approach to the resurrection of a part of our past and also to celebrate what we still have with our beef industry.
     Let’s look at how this all works, as it is rather interesting. The Legislature along with the State of Nebraska created a program several years ago where an organization can create a specific license plate. Currently, there are only two such active organizational plate programs: Creighton University and Union Pacific Railroad. Other groups are also in the process of creating plates recognized by the State. In order for the new plates to be produced, the law requires three things must happen. First, a qualified non-profit organization must apply and, second, be approved by Nebraska’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Third, 500 applications must be submitted, along with one check for the initial fees.
     The Nebraska Cattlemen (NC), as part of the celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the formation of the group, decided to use the opportunity to celebrate and promote the culture of Nebraska’s largest industry ‒ beef. The Board of Directors of both NC and the NC Foundation, in working with the NE Motor Vehicle Department, created three “Beef State” license plate choices. NC members are being asked to vote to select the winning design, and are right now voting on which design of the three will be used for this special project. If you are so inclined, you can snoop out the designs by going to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R6SF8SG . I am impressed with each of the plate’s designs, and in my mind each one of them blows away what we currently have hanging on our vehicles. If you are member of the Nebraska Cattlemen, you may even want to vote while you are there.  You might also consider getting one of the specialty plates to put on your pickup truck, whenever they become available. There are of course some hoops you have to jump through.
      Of course there are requirements to get one of these specialty plates. In order to get them you must come up with a fee of $70 every year, in addition to regular car registration fees and taxes. It should be pointed out that the funds generated from the sale of the plates goes back to the State of Nebraska, $10.50 to the DMV Cash Fund and $59.50 to the Nebraska Highway Trust. You must remember that when you would get your plates would depend on how long it takes to acquire the initial 500 applications which are part of the requirements. Once those are submitted, along with the $70 fee set by statute, the DMV will enter all the applications into their system and create the plates. A letter will go out to each individual advising them when their plate will be available for pick up at the county treasurer’s office.
      According to the NC website, applicants have two choices in deciding when to put new plates on their vehicles. First, they can choose to get the plate now and put it on the vehicle immediately. It would not change the registration cycle for that vehicle. So, if the vehicle’s registration was set to expire in two months, the applicant could put the plate on the vehicle now, but they would then have to pay the $70 again in two months. Or, second, the applicant can wait and pick up “The BEEF STATE” plate at the time the vehicle’s regular plates expire, and the initial $70 fee covers the new registration cycle. Plus, each year on renewal, a sticker would be issued upon payment of the $70 specialty plate fee. If the individual chose not to pay the additional $70 fee after the first year, they would return to standard plates.  
     It is too bad that the effort to have the current license plates carry the “Beef State” moniker failed when they decided on the final design, which many of you may remember became a joke in its own right with the first results of picking a design being corrupted by a radio station gag.  As I understand it, then - State Senator and NC member, Deb Fischer (now US Senator Fischer) was backing that effort at the time to bring back the “Beef State” slogan but it was not to be. Now there is the chance to make a statement and replace those current plates with a sign of Nebraska and Nebraska Beef pride. You may soon have the opportunity to show it every day when you travel in your favorite vehicle that proudly sports brand new “Nebraska - The BEEF STATE” license plates. Come to think of it Father’s Day is a great time to have some good old Nebraska corn-fed beef.  I hope there is gas for the grill!  Bring on the Nebraska Beef!
     Fun note: There will be a Super Moon on June 23. This super moon is the closest, largest and fullest moon of the 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 

FISCHER SUPPORTS NATIONAL DEFENSE BILL

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, voted Thursday in support of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2013. This afternoon, Senator Fischer released the following statement:
“After many months of hard work, the Senate Armed Services Committee passed an important, bipartisan defense authorization bill. This legislation ensures our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to fulfill their many missions. I was pleased to support the measure, which addresses a number of national defense funding priorities. Importantly, the bill also supports STRATCOM’s vital missions of missile defense and nuclear deterrence. Nebraskans know we live in an increasingly dangerous world, and this bill goes a long way in ensuring our military is ready to meet 21^st century challenges.”
Fischer Amendments: Senator Fischer offered several amendments relating to nuclear force structure and joined Senators Ayotte, Shaheen, and Blumenthal on amendments concerning missile defense and sexual assault. All amendments were adopted by the committee with strong bipartisan support.
More information on Fischer's sexual assault amendments is available HERE.
This legislation accomplishes the following important goals:

• Approves the next portion of funding for the new facility at STRATCOM;

• Requires the Air Force to submit a detailed plan on the acquisition and installation of critical systems required for STRATCOM’s new facility;

• Supports nuclear modernization to bring our strategic forces into the 21^st century;

• Enhances the Nation’s missile defense system by providing additional resources for sensors;

• Extends critical counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation programs, and invests in advanced, next-generation technologies – all missions overseen by the Emerging Threats and Capabilities subcommittee, on which Fischer serves as Ranking Member.

This legislation contains some problematic provisions, which Senator Fischer hopes to address when the bill reaches the Senate floor:

• Relaxes existing restrictions on the transfer of detainees currently held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to the United States and foreign nations. In its markup, members of the Committee agreed to delay their debate on the matter until the bill reaches the Senate floor.

• Fails to comply with funding limits set by the Budget Control Act. Congress needs to confront this funding reality and fix the problems brought on by decades of excessive spending, instead of ignoring it and writing legislation that is $52 billion over the legal limit.

Note: The National Defense Authorization Act is the annual defense policy bill, which authorizes defense spending for the fiscal year and sets policy priorities for the U.S. military.

GOVERNORS COLUMN

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:
A few weeks ago, I signed into law one of the most important bills of the 2013 Legislative Session - Legislative Bill 561 which is aimed at improving the juvenile justice system in our state. It shifts the supervision of all juvenile offenders in the community to the state’s probation system which reduces reliance on detention and focuses on rehabilitation for youth while keeping families involved.
In addition to transferring the supervision of these youth, the legislation also places a renewed emphasis on community-based rehabilitation with a renewed focus on diversion. This forward-looking and innovative approach to dealing with youth who break the law, represents an important step forward as we continue to find ways for the state to deal with youth in juvenile justice system. The focus at the Department of Health and Human Services will be on helping children in the system who are victims of abuse and neglect.
By moving the juvenile justice youth into the probation system, the Department of Health and Human Services will be able to focus their attention more directly on assisting youth in the child welfare system, where children who are victims of abuse are cared for, instead of the youth breaking the law.
I applaud and commend the leadership of Senator Brad Ashford of Omaha on this important issue. Senator Ashford has worked tirelessly to find new ways for successful changes to help improve this system and I appreciate his hard work for the citizens of Nebraska.
   LB 561 contains several points:

• Provides $14.5 million over the next two years for juvenile justice reform to ensure proper implantation and to encourage further development of juvenile justice services.
  
• Transfers the supervision of juvenile offenders in the community from the Department of Health and Human Services to the Office of Probation Administration in the Nebraska Supreme Court. This includes all juvenile offenders who have committed crimes and who are status offenders.
  
• Retains Health and Human Services control of the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers at Kearney and Geneva.
  

Increases the juvenile services aid grant program to counties at the Crime Commission, and allows the Crime Commission to hire a Director of Juvenile Diversion and a Director of Community-based Juvenile Services to help coordinate juvenile justice diversion and juvenile services in Nebraska. 
By providing these juvenile justice reforms, increased funding for services and the ability of the      Department of Health and Human Services to better focus on the child welfare system, LB 561 will lead to better outcomes for Nebraska youth and safer Nebraska communities.

- Dave Heineman
    Governor of Nebraska

Cutting Red Tape to Unleash Economic Growth

Rep. Adrian Smith

 Column

The time and money spent keeping up with federal rules is a major burden on our economy.  American families and small businesses struggle to comply with the growing number of federal regulations even when they do not realize it.  The true cost of regulatory compliance is often hidden in the price of products, energy, and even health care.
A new report by Wayne Crews at the Competitive Enterprise Institute shines a light on the growing regulatory state and its true cost to our economy.  At the end of 2012, the number of pages in the Code of Federal Regulations hit an all-time high of 174,545.  Last year alone, the government enacted 1,172 new regulations; 16 percent more than were completed in 2011.
These new rules are written and implemented by executive branch agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) presumably with good intentions.  They may mean well, but the agencies often do not consider the impact of new rules on jobs and growth.  The result is a massive burden on the economy.
Crews found the total costs for Americans to comply with federal regulations reached $1.8 trillion in 2012 – more than the government collects annually in corporate and individual taxes.  Regulatory costs amount to more than $14,000 per family per year.
According to Crews, about a sixth of the regulatory cost is attributable to compliance with our overly complex tax code.  I am working with the Ways and Means Committee to simplify the tax code for all Americans through comprehensive tax reform, which would reduce the cost of compliance and create numerous other economic benefits.  In addition to tax reform, we must also take on serious regulatory reform.
Congress should work to ease specific regulatory burdens already impacting sectors of our economy such as health care.  This week, I introduced the Administrative Relief and Accurate Medicare Payments Act to help ease the oversight requirements on hospitals and doctors on Medicare claims.  The bill would allow hospitals and doctors to focus more resources providing quality health care for their patients at competitive prices, and spend less time dealing with the Medicare bureaucracy.
In order to address regulations more comprehensively, the House of Representatives is considering the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, of which I am a proud cosponsor.  This commonsense legislation would require the regulations with the greatest cost to our economy to be approved by both chambers of Congress and signed by the President before taking effect on hard-working American families and businesses.  Last year, 57 regulations were implemented with an annual economic cost of more than $100 million each.
These are just a few of the ideas the House is considering to reform the regulatory code and process.  As our economy struggles to recover, now would be a great time to stop the growth of the regulatory state and to lessen this massive, hidden burden on American families and businesses.

Interior Extends Niobrara, Ponca Bluffs Conservation Comment Period, Per Johanns, Fischer Request

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) has extended the public comment period for the proposed Niobrara Confluence and Ponca Bluffs Conservation areas until September 30, 2013. The DOI proposal under review could result in government management or acquisition of more than 1.4 million acres in Nebraska and South Dakota. The majority of the acreage is in Nebraska.
Johanns said, “Decisions of this magnitude must not be rushed. I’m pleased the Department of Interior listened to this request for an extended comment period. Nebraska landowners – particularly farmers and ranchers – are responsible stewards of our natural resources and are rightly concerned about the impact this land acquisition could have on their livelihoods.”
Fischer said, “The extension of this public comment period will ensure local residents affected by the Department of Interior’s proposal have sufficient time to acquire more information about the project and assess its potential impacts. The hundreds of Nebraskans who have contacted my office on this matter have reasonable cause to be concerned about the federal government seizing or controlling this vast quantity of private land. I am pleased this effort to allow them additional time to voice their legitimate concerns was successful.”
A copy of the letter requesting the September extension is available HERE and a copy the Senators’ letter requesting more information on the potential acquisition is available HERE.

Administrative Relief and Accurate Medicare Payments Acto of 2013

 Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) introduced H.R. 2329, the Administrative Relief and Accurate Medicare Payments Act of 2013 with 12 original cosponsors.
“While strong oversight of Medicare payments is essential to prevent waste and fraud, the current process is overly-burdensome and time consuming,” said Smith.  “Today, I introduced the Administrative Relief and Accurate Medicare Payments Act as a first step to reduce the red tape for providers while ensuring payments are accurate.  This commonsense solution would allow hospitals and doctors to focus more resources providing quality care for their patients, and spend less time dealing with the Medicare bureaucracy.”
Background:
Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs) were created through the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 to identify and recover improper payments to healthcare providers under fee-for-service Medicare plans.  While RACs have successfully recovered millions in improper payments, they have also strained hospitals and providers with increased administrative burdens and narrow filing periods.
In order to address these concerns while continuing to improve payment accuracy, the Administrative Relief and Accurate Medicare Payments Act of 2013 would ease some of the requirements, increase the filing period for claims, and make other changes to streamline the appeals process.  It is important hospitals and other health care providers are appropriately compensated so they continue to make high quality care available to all patients.

Sowing the Seed for New Ag Policy

Weekly Column

Sen. Mike Johanns

 

Farmers and ranchers deal with many variables on a daily basis. From Mother Nature and commodity prices to political decisions in far-flung corners of the world, many events that might have little impact on most industries carry significant importance, and in some cases substantial threat, for ag producers in America.  Washington should not create another moving target by delaying updated long-term ag policy.

This week, the Senate took a big step toward providing greater certainty for ag producers in Nebraska and across the country by passing a new five-year farm bill. I voted for this bill, which passed Monday by a vote of 66-27.
Often in Washington, no single lawmaker gets everything he or she wants in a piece of legislation after it has been debated, amended, molded and massaged. This bill was certainly no exception.  The final version presented for a vote in the Senate is not the bill I would have drafted, but with so much on the line for our farmers, ranchers and our state’s economy, we cannot afford to let the great be the enemy of the good. I am confident we are far better off with this farm bill than with no farm bill at all.
In Nebraska, where agriculture has a connection to one third of all jobs, the success of our state’s economy depends on our ag producers’ abilities to cultivate crops and raise their herds.  This is a monumental task in good times when rain is plentiful, severe weather is minimal and cattle wade through belly-deep pastures of grass. This has been a far cry from reality in recent years, when drought has stifled crop yields and thinned out herds. Despite recent rainfall and improved drought conditions, we are certainly not out of the woods and have yet to reach the driest part of the summer.
That’s why it is so important to pass a new farm bill, which includes opportunities for disaster assistance for ranchers, many of whom were forced to sell off portions of their herd when drought struck and the current safety net expired last year. This is just one example of many that point to the need for updated ag policy.  Ag producers are currently operating on a year-to-year extension of old policy, with the ongoing threat that a lack of congressional action will result in returning to antiquated laws enacted in the 1940s.
The Senate’s vote to pass a new farm bill is the first step in the process of ensuring ag producers have policy that reflects the modern agriculture industry. It is now up to the House of Representatives to pass its version of the farm bill.  The two versions will be merged in a special conference committee of Senators and Representatives, presented to the President for his consideration, and hopefully, his signature.
Clearly, more must be done before updated ag policy can take effect, and it’s imperative that Congress and the President follow through in a timely manner, before the current policy expires at the end of the year. Ag producers work hard to provide food, fuel and fiber to America and the rest of the world. We have a responsibility to pass a farm bill and ensure they have the tools they need to continue serving an ever-growing global population.

UPDATE on VETERANS(VA)

 

For many rural veterans, access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities and treatment is complicated and time consuming. Due to the distances veterans must travel to seek care, along with long wait times, many patients delay or simply choose not to obtain the necessary care. 

 

Veterans living in rural areas deserve comparable access to care as those living in urban settings. Because of the impact of this issue on thousands of veterans in the Third District of Nebraska, recently I joined six of my colleagues in Congress in sending a letter to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. This letter expresses concerns regarding the VA's proposal to close inpatient and nursing home units, operating rooms, and urgent care facilities in Hot Springs, South Dakota. The letter also requests the VA returns the Hot Springs campus to former levels of operations and staff.

 

In addition, I joined the Nebraska delegation in writing Secretary Shinseki in support of the Omaha VA hospital. This letter expresses concern for the dire condition of the hospital and the low priority the VA is placing on building a replacement facility. The letter also encourages the VA to have a valid and viable plan in place for Omaha to ensure the care, treatment, and safety of Nebraska's veterans.

 

As founder and co-chair of the congressional Rural Veterans Caucus, rest assured addressing the challenges facing veterans in rural communities will remain a top priority. For more information on these issues or to receive additional legislative updates, please visit http://adriansmith.house.gov.

Sincerely,
 

 
ADRIAN SMITH
Member of Congress   

STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH

Duane A. Lienemann
UNL Extension Educator

 What a difference a couple of weeks can make and in particular what a difference that 2.5-4.5 inches of rain can be, and of course where your fields happen to be. These rain events virtually saved the wheat crop as it was on its last legs just a couple of weeks ago.  I was even advising our wheat growers to take stock of the condition and potential yield of the wheat and to consider perhaps putting it up for hay.  This certainly was a blessing to get some much needed rain plus the cool weather that we have had has been a nice reprieve. Now if the wind would just subside, I would be a happy camper!
     I think the rain obviously has been a shot in the arm for area pastures and crop fields and even put a little water in some of our ponds that were dry or at the very least nothing but mud holes. The cooler weather has helped slow down evapotranspiration, which is good, but unfortunately it also takes away from the Growing Degree Units (GDU) necessary for crops and perhaps, as a result, slowed down some of the early growth we usually experience. We are already starting to see some fields that have a yellow cast to it, and that may persist for a while. I think this is environmental, due to the rain and lack of GDU’s and the slow uptake of some nutrients.  As the temperatures rises (which they most likely will do) the color symptom should improve and you will likely be able to see and even hear the corn grow!  
     I have been asked several times over the last couple of weeks, kind of jokingly, if this means the drought is over? I say “jokingly” because most everyone I think knows better.  But for those who are not sure and still ask… “Does this take us out of the drought designation?”  I would say…”absolutely not!”  While this is much better than we thought it would be at this time of the year by all estimates and prognostication, we are a long ways from the critical reproductive stages in our crops.  While this is a reprieve, and it is psychologically soothing, we are still very much short on subsoil moisture and are living right now on those topical moisture events. I just hope that we get some timely rains and that the moisture we got over the last week seeps into the ground deep enough for the crops to properly root down. What would be even better if we get another shot of rain in the next couple of weeks, and while I am dreaming – every week or so, the rest of the growing season. If you think that is unreasonable, then we are probably on the same page. It doesn’t hurt to dream!       I do suggest that you take a look at the UNL Drought Mitigation site at: http://drought.unl.edu/  and specifically at:  http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_highplains.htm   you will see that our area is still in drought conditions. To add to that worry, we are not too far from the time frame that we get into a normally dry and hot portion of the growing season, and are likely living on borrowed time and moisture.  This is especially important to our dryland producers as they cannot rely on underground water like our irrigated friends. That is where the no-till production practices will have a huge impact on water savings.  It appears to me right now that our crops are in pretty fair condition.  
     A good barometer of where we are at is with our pastures and wheat fields, both of which I have taken a good look at this past week. We have some wheat fields that from the road at least look pretty darn good, however there are others that don't look so hot, and I think a lot of that has to do where the wheat was planted (ie. In moisture sapped soybean fields from the previous year). We still have wheat that was stunted because of drought and started heading at only 8 inches or so. The old adage that wheat will double in height after heading - still makes for short wheat, and perhaps earlier harvest, and unfortunately we will likely see the yields lower in many fields than what you would like. The good news however is that I have not however found as much disease as we have had in the past, but the recent moisture events can bring them on.  The flag leaves are the important element in the remaining days till maturation and they seem fairly clear in the bulk of the fields I have looked at, but it may not hurt to be vigilant and check those flags for obvious signs of rust or disease.
     I have spent most of my time in the Webster County area from the county line between Bladen and Lawrence and then south. I know that around us, and particularly east and north of us, have had more rain but, but also were the recipients also of hail and heavy wind, which both go to provide some problems with damage to corn and beans. It also gives some challenges to replanting options in many cases.  I think we have had good emergence on beans and corn with some problems with crusting , depending upon planting date and timing of rains.  I know a lot of our fields were a little late getting planted do to cold and even wet conditions, but I think we will see all of our crops come on like gangbusters now.  
     I am concerned about our pastures as some producers put cattle out in traditional time frame (around May 1 and even earlier) and a lot of our grass just wasn't ready yet.  Early grazing this year may cause some unwanted consequences as the year progresses. Many drought-stressed grasslands received enough rain recently to give pastures a much needed boost, and seeing some fresh green grass is nice.  But as we all know, it will take a lot more rain to bring things back to normal.  I suggest that we do not take what looks to be fairly good pasture right now for granted because in a couple months it could look a lot different. When moisture is available like now, grasses will regrow after grazing.  Regrowth starts more rapidly when extra leaves remain behind after grazing.  These leaves help plants harvest more sunlight energy to hasten regrowth, so those grasses will be ready to graze again much sooner and with more forage than if it had been grazed very short early on.  If we don't get additional moisture, all bets are off in the grazing game and we are right back into the soup!

 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 

Gov. Heineman Promotes Hiring Our Heroes Initiative Helping Military Members Seeking Employment Opportunities

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today announced the upcoming Hiring Our Heroes job fair in Omaha on June 12. The Hiring Our Heroes initiative is the cooperative effort between the United States Chamber of Commerce, the Nebraska Department of Labor and the Nebraska National Guard. This initiative helps veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment in Nebraska. “We are proud to be a part of this initiative to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment here in Nebraska,” said Gov. Dave Heineman. “There are approximately 4,700 Army and Air National Guardsmen and women in Nebraska and thousands more Nebraskans serve in the U.S. Reserves and active military. The enthusiasm surrounding Hiring Our Heroes shows that the courage and sacrifice demonstrated by these men and women has not gone unnoticed.” Current and former military members bring sought-after skills to the workforce. Nebraska’s veterans and their spouses are invited to the upcoming Hiring Our Heroes job fair in Omaha. The event will be held on Wednesday, June 12 at the DC Centre from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Various sponsors, including military groups and media partners, are working to ensure the success of these events. There are 90 employers registered for the fair, representing a wide array of job opportunities. “I am continually impressed by the support from employers and organizations across the state,” said Cathy Lang, Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Commissioner of the Nebraska Department of Labor.  “Their commitment makes these events successful.” “I would like to thank Gov. Heineman, the Nebraska Department of Labor, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and everyone else involved for their continued interest in this important effort to connect our service members and their families with employers,” said Maj. Gen. Judd Lyons, Nebraska Adjutant General. “Our Nebraska National Guardsmen and women possess important skills like leadership, problem-solving, an ability to work under pressure and time management. Employers desire and value these skills.” “The same can be said for Nebraska’s military spouses who take on numerous additional responsibilities and hone their skills while their loved ones are deployed. They, too, bring tremendous qualities that today’s employers need.” Since the first event held in Lincoln last April, there have been nine Hiring Our Heroes events throughout the State. These job fairs have been held in Lincoln, Omaha, Norfolk, Alliance, Holdrege, Papillion, Beatrice and Grand Island. These events have served around 1,300 veterans and 400 employers. Since Sept. 11, 2001, thousands of Nebraska servicemen and women have served around the world, including duty in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans, as members of the Nebraska National Guard, the U.S. Reserves and active military. Among these thousands of Nebraska service members are the more than 1,300 Nebraska Army National Guard Soldiers who have returned home to Nebraska from overseas deployments since January 2011. More information about these events can be found online at  www.hoh.greatjob.net  and http:// www.dol.nebraska.gov.

Legislative Newsletter

 

Senator Tom Carlson-District 38

Sine Die 2013

This is the last day of our long 90-day session. We will adjourn today Sine Die, meaning with no future date to convene.  We will convene next January, but today we leave with no mention of that date.

I am pleased that the water legislation I prioritized for this session was passed by the legislature with a vote of 45-0. The Governor signed the bill yesterday.

LB 517 creates the Water Funding Task Force. The companion bill, 517 A, allocates $1 million for research, data collection, and production of a final report to be submitted to the Legislature by December 31. The task force shall consist of the members of the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission and 11 additional members appointed by the Governor.

The Director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, I, as Chair of the legislative Natural Resources Committee, and Senators Christensen, Davis, Watermeier, Schilz, and Kolowski, appointed by the Legislature’s Executive Board, shall serve as non-voting members of the task force. 

Governor Heineman will appoint members of the task force in the next 30 days, which will be housed in the Dept of Natural Resources. The task force shall identify water resources programs, projects, and activities in need of funding to meet the long-term statewide goals of water sustainability, efficiency, and productivity.

The final report shall include recommendations and ways to identify, assist, and carry out programs, projects, and activities in need of funding. Recommendations for legislation to carry out specific targets in the bill may be included.

Water sustainability involves the concept of, on average, using no more water than our annual average supply provides. In my view, water sustainability over the entire state is the most important consideration we can address. When we attain water sustainability we will have secured financial sustainability as well.

Another piece of legislation affecting all Nebraskans is the Tax Modernization committee, which will review and recommend updates to the state’s tax code. The committee’s focus will be on gathering information, not changing the code. Fairness, competitiveness, simplicity, stability, and adequacy are some of the items to be evaluated. This committee’s first report must be delivered to the Legislature and the Governor by December 15^th and a final report is due by November, 2014.

Margo and I look forward to our annual visits to the District 38 communities. We enjoy senior center lunches, parades, and other activities highlighting the diversity and good work of our constituents.  This will be my last regular newsletter for the session but I will report to you from time to time as the Water Funding Task Force meets and on other legislative news.

Gov. Heineman Promotes Tax Relief for Nebraskans

(Lincoln, Neb.) - Gov. Dave Heineman today signed into law several bills that will bring some tax relief to Nebraskans in specific areas. The Governor highlighted tax relief for hard-working middle class families through the elimination of the alternative minimum tax, tax relief for families saving with a Nebraska College Savings Plan by expanding the tax deduction, and tax relief for employees through employee stock ownership changes. “These important tax bills represent small steps forward regarding tax relief and tax competitiveness, but they are important steps forward,” said Gov. Heineman. “They are important to individual and small business taxpayers. Next year, our state will have the opportunity to take a giant step forward regarding tax relief and tax reform.” LB 308 delivers tax relief to hard-working middle class families. This law changes income taxes by eliminating the federal alternative minimum tax calculation for individual state income tax purposes for taxable years beginning Jan. 1, 2014. The federal credit for prior alternative minimum tax year would also be eliminated for taxable years 2014 and beyond. LB 296 provides tax relief for Nebraska families saving for college. This law allows higher tax deductions for Nebraskans making contributions to a Nebraska College Savings Program account. Currently, contributions to a Nebraska College Savings Program account are exempt from state income tax up to $2,500 for a married person filing separately and $5,000 for a married couple filing jointly. This bill would allow an increase in exempt contribution to $5,000 for a married person filing separately and $10,000 for a married couple filing jointly. LB 573 brings tax relief for business employees. This law designates an employee stock ownership plans as a qualified corporation, allowing its individual shareholders to exclude dividends and capital gains from their taxable incomes. This will especially help employee-owned businesses.

BEING PREPARED

Sen. Deb Fischer

 This week, severe weather warnings and alerts were issued across the state. Eastern Nebraska experienced flooding from heavy rain, while hail, high winds, and tornadoes swept across central and western Nebraska.

The recent horrific tornadoes in Oklahoma remind us that natural disasters aren’t just heartbreaking news stories quickly forgotten, but rather are enduring challenges for the impacted families and communities.
Lives are tragically lost; homes, neighborhoods, and communities are destroyed; precious belongings and beloved keepsakes are wiped away.
Our thoughts continue to be with the victims recovering from these recent tragedies. We hope and pray that these disasters do not occur, but in the case of severe weather, we must be prepared – as individuals and as a Nation - for all possible scenarios.
Each year, Congress provides money for the Disaster Relief Fund to provide assistance to storm-ravaged communities designated by the president as disasters. Recently, the amount appropriated for the Disaster Relief Fund has rarely been enough to provide sufficient aid. In 18 of the past 25 years, supplemental appropriations bills have been necessary to offer additional funding for disaster assistance.
The problem in these cases is that the money for unexpected disaster relief is treated as “emergency spending,” meaning it is spending outside of what is already allocated for the fiscal year. This funding is not required to be offset by spending reductions elsewhere. Unfortunately, these bills have also served as vehicles for unrelated, sometimes wasteful, spending.
For example, Congress recently approved $60.4 billion in supplemental funding for disaster relief for Mid-Atlantic states affected by Hurricane Sandy. While there were immediate and legitimate relief efforts that were needed, millions of taxpayer dollars were spent on extraneous government projects typically approved in the normal appropriations process.
Over $300 million dollars was allocated to support AMTRAK, without a specific plan for how this money would be spent. Despite the fact that NASA called the damage from the hurricane to its facilities “minimal,” the agency received $15 million for repairs. As many victims of Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey were still in need of shelter, the legislation appropriated $2 million to repair damaged roofs of museums in Washington, D.C.
Additionally, 64 percent of the “emergency” spending in the bill is not slated to be spent for nearly two years; clearly such funding is not for emergency relief, but instead serves other purposes.
The result? Over the past 25 years, supplemental appropriations for disaster relief have added nearly $150 billion to the national debt.
I believe providing disaster relief assistance to our fellow Americans is a core duty of a limited government. This responsibility should be carried out in a fiscally responsible manner that effectively provides aid to communities and people in need and ensures taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.  To be effective, the money designated must be specifically targeted, and it must be timely.
Though it does have an important role in relief and recovery, the responsibility of disaster preparedness should not rest solely on the federal government. Nebraskans understand this reality, having been tested by droughts, fires, floods, and tornadoes throughout the course of our state’s history. To prevail against severe weather, we prepare ourselves, our land, and our livestock.
Another way to prepare for severe weather is to be knowledgeable. I encourage all Nebraskans to take advantage of the many safety and preparedness resources available in our state. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency has a Severe Storms Guide to Survival available for tips on how to monitor impending weather conditions.
Recently, I traveled to Fort Kearney’s American Red Cross chapter. Among many of the organization’s helpful safety services, I learned about the mobile phone apps the Red Cross has created specifically for emergency planning. These apps are offered for download so their users can be equipped with safety tips, guidelines, and means of communication during a severe storm.
While there is little we can do to control the weather, it is important that we do what is in our control: have a plan and be prepared.
Thank you for taking part in our democratic process, and I’ll visit with you again next week.
Deb Fischer
United States Senator

Keeping Regulators Accountable

Senator Mike Johanns

 

As I travel throughout Nebraska, I consistently hear from small business owners in a variety of industries about the seemingly endless string of governmental red tape preventing business expansion and job growth in America. With new regulations come new compliance costs and sometimes inefficient operational changes. Often, federal agencies propose rules without a definitive timeframe, which raises unanswered questions for folks who want to comply with important standards, but are given little detail about how and when they will be required to act. In other instances, federal agencies try to impose overreaching new regulations with little or no discussion and lightning speed. All of this decreases productivity and the possibility for new jobs in a market struggling to regain momentum.
Some regulations are necessary to ensure a fair market and safe workplace, but when federal agencies go too far, they place unnecessary burdens on those who create jobs and grow the economy. Many job creators will tell you they must already sift through mountains of new and pending regulations. The last thing they need is government officials issuing more binding decisions without the proper authority. But according to two federal circuit courts, that’s exactly what’s happening at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which issues decisions related to businesses’ labor practices.
In January, the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit unanimously ruled that President Obama’s attempt in 2012 to fill vacancies on the NLRB without the advice and consent of the Senate was unconstitutional, stating that, “allowing the President to define the scope of his own appointments power would eviscerate the Constitution’s separation of powers.” The Administration and the NLRB ignored the Court’s decision, saying they would continue issuing rules and decisions that affect businesses across the nation. Last month, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the January ruling in a different case.
It’s clear to me that if the NLRB’s unconstitutional appointees lack the authority to serve, then they lack also the authority to issue new requirements impacting business productivity and job creation. As the Administration and NLRB continue to ignore this reality, the Board’s ongoing decisions will further expand a cloud of uncertainty for American businesses and job creators.
Last week, I joined my fellow Senate Republicans in asking the Supreme Court to weigh in on both the legitimacy of the non-recess appointees and all of the decisions they’ve issued. We submitted an amicus brief detailing the constitutional questions raised by the President’s so-called appointments, and the Board’s actions, which should be invalidated if the Supreme Court agrees with the Circuit Courts’ decisions. It’s time we provide clarity to businesses and job creators so they don’t waste time and resources complying with decisions made by individuals who lacked the very authority to issue rulings.
In addition, I have sent multiple letters to the so-called appointees advising them to step aside following both Circuit Courts’ rulings. The sooner we get this sorted out, the sooner businesses and their employees will have greater certainty so they can continue growing the economy and creating more jobs, which is exactly what this country needs, instead of expending time and money complying with illegitimate regulations.

Washington Report: Health Care Law Expands IRS Authority

Americans of all political persuasions are rightfully outraged by recent revelations of political targeting by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  Adding to the concern, the IRS will be the chief enforcer of the many new health care mandates set to be implemented during the next year.  The improper conduct and mismanagement at the agency have raised serious questions about the ability of the IRS to handle such broad new responsibilities and powers.

The IRS has admitted groups applying for tax exempt status with words in their titles such as “Tea Party,” “patriots,” or “9/12 project” or who’s stated goals were to educate about the U.S. Constitution were automatically flagged for further review, delays, and even audits.

This is not a Republican issue nor a Democrat issue.  Members of Congress in both parties and President Obama have condemned the agency’s actions and have committed to investigating this matter to find out how and why this occurred.

As the Ways and Means Committee continues to investigate, the details which have emerged are concerning.  In some cases the additional review given to conservative groups included requests for donor lists, descriptions of books they were reading, lists of volunteers, and even the content of prayers.  It is imperative we fully investigate this case on a bipartisan basis.

Partisan or political actions by any government agency would be wrong, but the IRS case is so disturbing because of the agency’s enormous power.  This power is set to expand significantly over the course of the next year with the full implementation of the President’s health care law.

Internal Revenue Service agents will be charged with verifying if your health care coverage is acceptable, as defined by bureaucrats in Washington.  If you do not have creditable coverage, the IRS will have the authority to fine you up to $2,250 or two percent of your income whichever is greater.  To enforce this penalty, the IRS will also have the authority to confiscate your tax refund.

A 2010 Committee on Ways and Means report on the health care law found the agency may need to hire as many as 16,500 additional auditors, agents, and other employees to investigate and collect billions of dollars in new taxes from the American people.  The report found audits will likely increase, and the agency will likely need at least $10 billion to administer the law in the first decade.

There are thousands of hard-working, dedicated, and noble employees at the IRS.  However, I question the wisdom of dramatically expanding the authority and power of the IRS while we are still working to get more answers about the scope and the reasoning for political targeting at the agency.  The political actions of the IRS can now be added to the growing list of reasons to repeal the President’s misguided attempt at health care reform.

 

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   

June Birthdays

June 1 Ryan Hesman, Jamie Kossie, Brent Premer
June 2 Ron Meyer, Tina Mohlman , Dale Tenhoff, Keith Gilbert, Lana James
 June 3 Bill Armstrong
June 5 Ruby Krueger, Page Hansen
June 9 Robert Wademan, Cody Heinrich
 June 10 Luella Wilhelms
June 10 Jill Beavers
June 11 Roger Alber, Keith Waterbury, Colben Detaksone
June 12 Barb Strasburg, Wilma Willems
 June 14 Iva Beach, Mark Strasburg
June 16 Rollie Grandstaff, Cammeron Premer Howard
 June 17 Amber Stoner, Phyllis Hartman
June 18 Robert Long
June 20 Clifford Beach
 June 21 Neil Johnson
June 22 Margaret Zimmerman , Sara Pavelka
June 23 Zigrida Meyer, Jodi Bunner
 June 24 Steve Hesman
June 25 Shirley Allen
 June 26 Eileen Moser
 June 27 Ruth Koepke, Rolland Post, David Dunn
June 28 Lori Goodrich Meents , Cassandra Himmelberg
 June 30 Carol Matthews