Frozen Festival at Swedish Heritage Center
March 9, 2015 Leave a comment
EITC Vital in Rural and Small Town Nebraska
March 8, 2015 Leave a comment
*Jon Bailey will be at the Unicameral today, testifying in support of LB 495, which would increase Nebraska’s Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income, working Nebraskans.
Lincoln, Nebraska – The Nebraska Legislature’s Revenue Committee is hearing public testimony on LB 495 – a legislative proposal that would increase the state Earned Income Tax Credit to 13 percent of the federal EITC for tax years 2016 and beyond (up from the current 10 percent).
A group of Nebraskans that has been generally missing from tax policy discussions are low-income working Nebraskans. That is why LB 495 is so important. It is the one piece of tax policy that truly benefits these families.
Jon Bailey, Rural Policy Director
Center for Rural Affairs
To view or download copies of Bailey’s Center for Rural Affairs testimony go to:
http://www.cfra.org/LB-495-testimony
“Our research details the many benefits of the Earned Income Tax Credit in alleviating poverty and for many aspects of family life, especially in rural and small town Nebraska,” Bailey testified. “The credit is unique among many areas of domestic policy over the past several decades – it is a true bipartisan effort, lauded by officials in both parties, introduced by President Nixon, implemented by President Ford, praised by President Reagan, and expanded by President Clinton.”
Along with his testimony, Bailey also presented Committee members copies of a report released last fall by the Center for Rural Affairs concerning the usage of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Bailey pointed out that since Nebraska’s earned income tax credit is connected to the federal tax credit the analysis and findings are the same for both.
“Clearly, the earned income tax credit is important to many families in rural Nebraska and in our mid-size cities. Many families depend on the credit for its poverty alleviation benefits and a stronger state credit will enhance those benefits,” concluded Bailey. “For those reasons we respectfully request that you advance LB 495.”
To view or download a full copy of the Bailey’s EITC report go to:
http://www.cfra.org/sites/www.cfra.org/files/publications/EITC-final_0.pdf
According to Bailey, the report analyzes the usage of the federal earned income tax credit for tax year 2012, the most recent data available, by county types for each state. The three county types examined were: metropolitan – counties part of a metropolitan statistical area as designated by the U.S. Census Bureau; micropolitan – counties based around at least one core urbanized area with a population of 10,000 to 49,999; and rural – essentially, every other county not in the other two categories.
Nationally, micropolitan and rural counties – the two smallest categories in terms of population – have the largest usage of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit as a percentage of all federal tax returns claiming the credit. The national data is in the table below.
| Place of Residence | Total Individual Federal Income Tax Returns (2012) | Total Individual Federal Returns Claiming EITC (2012) | Pct. of all Individual Federal Returns Claiming EITC (2012) |
| United States | 144,276,600 | 24,745,200 | 19.2% |
| Metropolitan | 122,107,900 | 22,976,820 | 18.7% |
| Micropolitan | 11,630,220 | 2,513,310 | 21.6% |
| Rural | 10,535,400 | 2,255,610 | 21.4% |
Nebraska data reveals a similar pattern. Nebraska usage of the federal credit is broken down as follows as a percentage of tax returns claiming the credit:
Statewide: 16.0%
Metropolitan counties: 15.6%
Micropolitan counties: 17.4%
Rural counties: 15.8%
Daylight Savings Time Begins Sunday
March 6, 2015 Leave a comment
It is time to spring forward! Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead an hour as daylight savings time begins this Sunday, March 8th at 2:00 a.m.
The good news is there will be more time to soak up the sunshine and warmth that is predicted for next week! Enjoy!
Fire Erupts at Northeast Tractor Salvage in Lyons NE
March 4, 2015 Leave a comment
Fire departments from Lyons, Oakland, Bancroft, Decatur, Craig and Tekamah responded to a fire at Northeast Tractor Salvage in Lyons this afternoon. Photo Credit/Pauline Marr
Leadership Burt County Class Visits State Capitol
March 4, 2015 Leave a comment
This year’s Leadership Burt County class spent Thursday, February 5th in Lincoln learning about state government. They were able to observe the Legislature in session, have lunch with our State Senator Lydia Brasch, tour the State Capitol and hear from Governor Pete Ricketts.
This is the fifth year for Leadership Burt County, which is co-sponsored by Burt County Economic Development Corporation and UNL Extension. The purpose of the program is to train our local citizens in the latest leadership skills, and also to provide information about our local economy.
Pictured from left are: Lucas Cameron, Laurie Elliott, Cynthia Petersen, Governor Pete Ricketts, Lisa Anderson, Ben Kreitels, Shara Johnson. Absent: Judd Bogseth, Kristine Haber, Lisa Skinner, Karolyn McElroy.
Photo courtesy of Patty Plugge.
Oakland-Craig Junior High Performs at Capitol
March 4, 2015 Leave a comment
The Oakland-Craig Junior High Band performed in the Rotunda of the State Capitol Building recently for the Nebraska Legislators. Photos Courtesy of State Senator Lydia Brasch.
Anderson Medals at State Swimming Meet
March 4, 2015 Leave a comment
The Nebraska State Athletic Association hosted the State Swimming Meet this past weekend of February 26-28thin Lincoln Nebraska at the Bob Devaney Sports Complex. Devon Anderson, a former member of the Tekamah Tigersharks swam with the Elkhorn/ Elkhorn South Stormin’ Antlers. Devon qualified in 4 events and was honored to receive a 7th place medal in the 200 IM relay along with 3 other members of his team. Devon is the son of Holly Anderson Perez of Elkhorn and grandson of Kevin and Dawn Anderson of rural Craig.
State Swimming Meet Medalists are, from back: Michael Mollack, Grant Holst, Front Devon Anderson and Nate Frantz.
Photo Courtesy of Brooke Peterson.
Protecting Nebraska Policyholders
March 4, 2015 Leave a comment
Governor Pete Ricketts
Thousands of Nebraskans are being encouraged to quickly change their health care coverage due to the collapse of CoOportunity Health (CoOportunity).
The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, created CoOportunity as a consumer operated and oriented plan, or co-op. Co-ops are non-profit health insurers intended to create competition in the health insurance marketplace. CoOportunity, based in Iowa, was approved as a co-op to sell health insurance in Iowa and Nebraska.
High enrollment numbers exceeded expectations in both states. This led to more claims, and, in a matter of months, the company had outgrown its resources. On December 16, 2014, President Obama’s administration refused CoOportunity’s request for additional loans, and a week later, an Iowa court determined that CoOportunity was in financially hazardous condition. On February 28, 2015, the company was liquidated.
This Obamacare failure has left many insured Nebraskans wondering what to do next. My administration is working with the Nebraska Department of Insurance (NDOI) to help CoOportunity policyholders decide what is best for their families and businesses. NDOI encourages those still covered by CoOportunity to obtain coverage with a new carrier during a Special Enrollment Period, which runs from March 1st through April 29th. Enrolling during this time is essential because CoOportunity policies will be cancelled before the next open enrollment period begins. NDOI reports that individual policies will be canceled 180 days after liquidation, and group policies canceled within 30-45 days after liquidation.
During the Special Enrollment Period, individuals insured by CoOportunity and any of their enrolled dependents may choose a different health plan offered by a different company. Doing so now may give those individuals more options for individual plans, since an insurer is not required to sell individual policies outside of a special enrollment period.
CoOportunity policyholders can follow the company’s regular process for claims while it is in liquidation. To avoid a gap in coverage, keep paying CoOportunity premiums until you have purchased a policy to replace CoOportunity.
Policyholders still covered by CoOportunity will no longer receive Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTC) or Cost Sharing Reductions (CSR) because these plans lose Qualified Health Plan status upon liquidation. That means that those who stay on this plan may be forced to pay hundreds of more dollars per month in policy fees and co-pays.
Today, I am joining the NDOI to encourage those affected by CoOportunity’s collapse to find new health insurance coverage. This is yet another unintended and unfortunate result of the Affordable Care Act, and my administration is committed to helping Nebraskans who have been negatively impacted by this issue.
Policyholders with individual plans who are in the Special Enrollment Period (beginning March 1st) should call 1-800-318-2596.
For policyholders with a small business plan through the SHOP exchange, call 1-800-706-7893.
Insurance agents and brokers can assist employers who are moving to a new plan.
Hearing from you is an important part of helping my administration assess your needs. I look forward to input from people all across our state. As always, you are welcome to contact my office at (402) 471-2244, or by email, at pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov.
Wind Advisory
March 3, 2015 Leave a comment
STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS THROUGH MID AFTERNOON... .GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA INTO EARLY AFTERNOON WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 45 MPH AT TIMES. THE WINDS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH A STRONG COLD FRONT MOVING ACROSS EASTERN NEBRASKA AND SOUTHWEST IOWA LATE THIS MORNING. IAZ043-NEZ011-012-015>018-030>034-042>044-050-051-065-066-078- 032100- /O.NEW.KOAX.WI.Y.0004.150303T1700Z-150303T2100Z/ MONONA-KNOX-CEDAR-THURSTON-ANTELOPE-PIERCE-WAYNE-BOONE-MADISON- STANTON-CUMING-BURT-PLATTE-COLFAX-DODGE-BUTLER-SAUNDERS-SEWARD- LANCASTER-SALINE- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ONAWA...MAPLETON...CREIGHTON... BLOOMFIELD...CROFTON...WAUSA...VERDIGRE...NIOBRARA...HARTINGTON... LAUREL...RANDOLPH...COLERIDGE...PENDER...MACY...WALTHILL... WINNEBAGO...NELIGH...ELGIN...PIERCE...PLAINVIEW...OSMOND... WAYNE...ALBION...ST. EDWARD...NORFOLK...STANTON...WEST POINT... WISNER...TEKAMAH...OAKLAND...LYONS...DECATUR...COLUMBUS... SCHUYLER...FREMONT...DAVID CITY...WAHOO...ASHLAND...YUTAN... SEWARD...MILFORD...LINCOLN...CRETE...WILBER 1021 AM CST TUE MAR 3 2015 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OMAHA/VALLEY HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON. * TIMING...STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS MOVING INTO THE AREA LATE THIS MORNING THROUGH MID AFTERNOON. * WINDS...SUSTAINED WINDS 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 45 MPH AT TIMES. * IMPACTS...THE STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS AND BLOW AROUND UNSECURED OBJECTS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 TO 39 MPH OR GUSTS BETWEEN 45 TO 57 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.
Freezing Rain Advisory Extended Until 10:00 a.m.
March 3, 2015 Leave a comment
As earlier reported, there is a freezing rain advisory. It was to expire at 9:00 a.m. but has now been extended until 10:00 a.m. Please use caution on the roads and slow down.
Kat Country Hub 
Recent Comments