Kats’ Korner: Stay Strong, Changing Seasons, Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch


“I learned that it is the weak who are cruel and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong.”–Leo Rosten

It takes a strong person to stay silent and walk away from those that choose to be confrontational and rude. This quote reminds me that strong individuals are silent, not being mean and hurtful to others.

I believe everyone, at one time or another, has had someone that seems to enjoy being mean and hurtful towards them. Throughout life, I have discovered being the same way towards them only escalates the situation, never resolving a situation, only making matters worse.

It took me getting older, and hopefully wiser, to realize I don’t like drama in my life. I am much happier not addressing argumentative people. Their anger is not my anger, their drama is not my drama. Walking away, staying silent, takes away the fuel needed to keep the anger and drama going.

Every day is a blessing from God. Every morning, I smile upon waking up, remember all of what I am thankful for, begin my day with happiness and a smile on my face.

I hope that my few words have enlightened those with anger and drama in their lives. I know I have become a stronger person the last few years, finding peace in my life.

—————————————————————-Kats’ Korner———————————————————————-

Autumn has arrived. I have to say I do enjoy the colors of autumn, but I don’t care for colder weather. I have been busy decorating the house with new fall decorations. Harvest has started. Farmers are busy bringing in their crops, working hard all hours of the day and night, to feed everyone. Keep them in your prayers! Remember to thank a farmer for all of their hard work.

I enjoy the heat of summer. But, to each season, there is beauty to bestow. Winter will be upon us before we know it and the snow will fly. I enjoy watching a light snowfall, especially at Christmas time. I will be honest and say, I don’t enjoy the snow the rest of the season, or the cold!

Spring is a beautiful season as well. The grass becoming a beautiful green carpet, leaves springing to life on trees, flowers blooming in every color imaginable. The farmers planting their crops to grow and harvest in the fall.

As the Bible, Ecclesiastes 3 says: To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

We are all fortunate to enjoy every season, the seasons of our lives.

—————————————————————–Kats’ Korner———————————————————————-

We had our granddaughter, Penelope, over the weekend. She is 10 months old. She is adorable. Yes, we would be prejudice. We love being grandparents!

We took her to the Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch just north of Oakland Saturday night. She is too little to enjoy much of it, but we had fun taking her. She won’t remember, but we took several pictures we can show her when she is older. It was a great day for us to remember and cherish always!

We did take her for a ride on the go carts, went through the corn maze, walked all over, seeing many people we knew. It was very busy! We stopped for a snack and, before we left, bought her a big pumpkin to carve later!

Thanks Terry Wallerstedt and family for all the work you do, providing such a beautiful place to enjoy the autumn season. We had a wonderful time!

Thought for the day: Enjoy the seasons of your life. Remember, stay strong!

Have a great week!

Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief of Kat Country Hub, with granddaughter Penelope at Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch. Photo Credit/Jeff Gilliland.

Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief of Kat Country Hub, with granddaughter Penelope at Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch. Photo Credit/Jeff Gilliland.

Compassion and Prosperity


By Senator Deb Fischer

“I am happy that America continues to be, for many, a land of dreams.”

 

These words were spoken by Pope Francis during his recent address to a joint meeting of Congress. I was humbled and honored to join the American people in welcoming Pope Francis to our country. The touching events of his visit have been truly remarkable.

 

I was pleased to have Dr. Maryanne Stevens, president of the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, as my guest for the pope’s historic address. In the spirit of Pope Francis, Dr. Stevens is passionate about educating others to serve those in need. She possesses an unwavering commitment to service. Also, nearly 100 Nebraskans received tickets through my office to view a telecast of the pope’s address on the West Lawn of the Capitol. There, they received a blessing and prayer as Pope Francis addressed the crowd from the speaker’s balcony. Many of them traveled well over a thousand miles to Washington for this special moment. I am so glad they were able to share this profound experience.

 

The message Pope Francis delivered was moving, and I believe it connects with all Americans. We all understand the need to care for one another. We are all entrusted with the responsibility to care for the least among us. We need to care for our world. We must respect life, religious freedom, and liberty. This universal message of compassion is powerful and should be taken to heart.

 

I am inspired as I reflect on our many blessings, both as Nebraskans and as Americans. In Nebraska, we are blessed with wonderful people, spacious skies, and productive land. This is especially evident during this time of year – the harvest. Across our state, Nebraskans are reaping the bounty of their work.

 

September 20 through September 26 marked National Farm Safety and Health Week. Nebraska feeds the world, and agriculture is central to the viability of our state. As our farmers and ranchers dutifully tend land and livestock each and every day, they also face many dangers when carrying out their responsibilities. To secure the prosperity of their land, our producers must have the right knowledge, tools, and resources to remain safe and successful.

 

At the federal level, we need responsible policies that will allow our producers to do their job, which is to feed the world. This is critical, not only for our state’s economy, but also for a hungry and growing global population. This means putting a halt to burdensome regulations that are harming our farmers, ranchers, and their families.

 

Please know that I will continue working to address these challenges. By working together, we can help ensure that Nebraska will continue to provide America and the world with the safest and most affordable food supply.

 

As I reflect on the compassion and prosperity that fills our nation, I am reminded how blessed we are to live in, as Pope Francis so aptly pointed out, “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

 

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

 

Easing the Tax Burden


By Governor Pete Ricketts

One of the primary focuses of my administration has been providing meaningful tax relief for hardworking Nebraskans.  Whether I am visiting with ranchers at a coffee shop in Chadron or a small business owner at a town hall event in Falls City, I hear firsthand how Nebraska’s high taxes impact communities, businesses, and families across our state.  Easing tax rates even slightly can make a big difference because it keeps more of your paycheck in your pocket.  It helps the small business owner who is looking for a way to expand their operation or the family trying to find enough money in their budget to make their rent or mortgage payment.

 

These are the type of stories that motivated me to make property tax relief my number one focus this past legislative session.  Our efforts were met with success, and my proposal to deliver over $400 million in property tax relief – an over 45% increase over past budgets – through the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund received legislative approval.  This will provide tax relief for all Nebraska property owners.  The tax credit will be applied to your tax bill directly, and many will see the credit noted on their bills for their 2015 property taxes.

 

While this tax relief was significant and a step in the right direction, there is more still to be done.  The Tax Foundation’s 2015 State Business Tax Climate Index ranks Nebraska as 29th best in overall tax competitiveness as well as 12th highest in property taxes and 26th highest in income taxes.  These rankings show that Nebraska is a high tax state, and is, at best, middling when compared to other states.  There is nothing competitive about being middle-of-the-pack, and we must continue to look for new ways to bring tax rates down so that we can provide tax relief that will keep hardworking families here in our state and create more high quality jobs.

 

Right now, members of the Legislature are studying education funding and property taxes to develop proposals for the upcoming legislative session.  Last year, numerous proposals to make structural changes to how we levy property and income taxes were introduced by senators, however, no proposals that provide long-term structural relief advanced from the Revenue Committee.  This fall, senators have already discussed a wide variety of potential tax reforms ranging from a property tax revenue freeze to calculating land valuations on a 10-year average instead of the current 3-year average.  The conversation has only just begun, and senators will welcome your input as they continue to talk about potential proposals that could impact your tax bills.

 

As we approach next year, my team is working with legislative groups interested in tax reform, talking to tax experts, and preparing tax reform proposals.  In the coming weeks and months, I would encourage you to share your property tax bill with your local and state representatives as you have conversations with them.  Because property tax is a locally administered tax, long-term relief will require cooperation from both state and local government.  As we continue to look for ways to improve Nebraska’s tax competitiveness, I hope that you will share your ideas on tax reform with my office at pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov and 402-471-2244.

Governor Pete Ricketts

Governor Pete Ricketts

Kats’ Quote of the Day


I came across this quote and thought I would share with all my readers. It is a great quote to keep in mind in good times and bad. Have a wonderful day and weekend.

“Make your mistakes, take your chances, look silly, but keep on going. Don’t freeze up”–from You Can’t Go Home Again by Thomas Wolfe.

Kats’ Korner: The Beauty Around Us, the Beauty in Us


The sun, moon and stars are reflectors for the beauty hidden in all of us.-Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

I, like many people, enjoy the beauty around me. Fall is just around the corner, bringing many beautiful colors to the trees, and fall decorations into homes.

I also enjoy the beauty of sunrises, sunsets, the many different colors of the moon, and the twinkling stars.

I have been pursuing the field of photography. The sky has provided me with some beautiful pictures while practicing and learning more and more about photography.

I entered many pictures in the Burt County Fair photography exhibit. I received several first, second and third place ribbons. I didn’t achieve the honor of a purple ribbon. But, I have already begun taking and printing pictures for next year. I saw many beautiful photos, inspiring me to improve and become a better photographer. My belief is everyone has room for improvement in whatever their career or hobby is.

I thrill in learning and growing in anything I choose to pursue. I discovered writing later in my life, which led me to a career and degree in journalism. To be an effective journalist, one must take pictures. I have been studying, taking classes and learning all that I can about photography. I have to say, it is fun!

I also take many pictures of my grandchildren, of course. They are fun to photograph! I have many, many pictures of them! Recently, we attended the Nebraska State Fair, watching our grandchildren Grayce and Grayhm show cattle. My camera was busy that day!

Nature provides gorgeous scenery for photographers as well. I have taken several pictures of flowers, trees in the fall, blooming bushes and vegetable gardens. I also have taken pictures of all types of birds, including hummingbirds. They are absolutely fascinating. We have two feeders that attract many hummingbirds of all different colors. They are hard to snap a picture of. I bring my camera out on the porch, line up my photo and wait. It is true. Beauty is in a camera lens!

The beauty of the world and the sky is ours to view and revel in, bringing out the beauty in all of us.

I know I do my best to “shine” every day, doing a job I love, pursuing adventures in life every day. Also serving on the city council, serving the taxpayers of Oakland, a community I am proud to live in.

Reminds me of a song: “This Little Light of Mine, I’m gonna let it Shine.”

Let your light shine, reflecting your beauty.

T-H Superintendent on Beginning of new School Year


By Brandon Lavaley, Superintendent  

The 2015-16 school year is in full swing. The students and staff have done a great job of coming back and building on where we left off last year, which makes it an exciting time at Tekamah-Herman Schools. Luckily, the weather has cooperated until this past week. We had to dismiss early on two days because we had temperatures approaching 90 degrees in classrooms. With limited circulation throughout the building and humidity rising, it doesn’t cool well overnight. The conditions make it difficult on our students to learn and reaffirms the need to address building deficiencies sooner rather than later.

Another exciting aspect of the beginning of a new school year is the activities. With new faces in new places, it is always interesting to see how our students compete against others. Specifically in athletics, I would like to pose a challenge to our fans and student body. I want us to be the best, most positive fan base we can be. When I travel for conference meetings or to away contests, a recurring theme from other schools is that they view us as one of the “worst” fan bases they encounter each year. That is a little disheartening because I know we have great people and athletes who are passionate about their activities. However, there seems to be too much emphasis on the negative aspects (a missed call by an official, a perceived poor decision by a coach, an inadvertent mistake by a player) instead of promoting the positives. The NSAA awards fans of schools Sportsmanship Awards at each State Tournament. I cannot wait for the Tekamah-Herman fans to be the recipient of such an award because of how we approach the game. While no fan base is innocent of the occasional outburst, WE can directly control how WE conduct OURSELVES. This means each individual conducting him/herself how they would want their child to act. After all, our youngest fans are watching everyone else and taking a cue from them how to cheer for the Tigers. I would love to be able to attend the next conference meeting to hear how “great” our fans are, because I know we are. Have a great week and Go Tigers!!

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

August in Nebraska


By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

In August, I spent four productive weeks working back home in Nebraska. From Omaha to Scottsbluff, I logged over 2,400 miles traveling across our beautiful state. Our wonderful people and communities show why we call this the good life. It is truly a privilege to listen to you and hear what’s on your minds.

 

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is being able to thank our men and women in uniform for their brave service to our country. At a special ceremony in Elkhorn last month, I was honored to welcome home Army Reserve soldiers. I also hosted a roundtable discussion in Omaha with veterans of the War on Terror and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Their stories and the challenges they face reinforce my commitment to their legacy and our duty as a nation to provide them with the best care when they return home.

 

Transportation fuels Nebraska’s economy. But in order to support our economy, we need to ensure that our infrastructure is up-to-date. For that reason, I was proud to welcome U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to Lincoln on August 12. Together, we held a roundtable discussion with Nebraska transportation stakeholders and had a site visit at the Diverging Diamond Interchange Highway project. This was a great opportunity to present our shared commitment to long-term infrastructure policy and funding. Throughout the month, I hosted many events with representatives from the small business community, city administrators, economic development leaders, medical professionals, and members of the agriculture community.

 

Nebraska is strong because our citizens are engaged and informed. During August, I hosted over a dozen listening sessions. One issue stood out at nearly every event along this journey: Nebraskans are frustrated with the EPA’s attack on our energy and water resources.

 

I’m working hard to address this federal overreach by fighting each one of the administration’s heavy-handed regulations. From the “waters of the United States” rule and the war on coal, to a proposed rule to lower the ozone standard, these punishing regulations will increase costs, hurt businesses, and harm Nebraska families. The EPA needs to hear common sense from Nebraska. To aid in this effort, I hosted a field hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in Columbus on September 1. At this hearing on the EPA’s ozone rule, Nebraska stakeholders went on record to voice their concerns and show how these regulations will hurt families, raise costs, and empower the federal government.

 

My most important duty in the Senate is providing for our national security and protecting our nation from threats. On the proposed nuclear deal with Iran, your voices were overwhelmingly aligned and candid. I share your concerns. This deal does not benefit our country, and it will make the world a more dangerous place. While I don’t believe we have the votes in Congress to stop the deal, I will remain a vocal opponent of this agreement and work to ensure that our top priority is the security of our nation.

 

As I return to work in the Senate, I bring with me renewed dedication to making our country better for future generations. From Scotts Bluff Monument to Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, the unique beauty of our state shines brightly. Our state is a treasure, and our people make us proud. I will continue to work hard and serve the people of Nebraska. Your voice will guide my work and remain my most important source of information.

 

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

It’s Our Water


By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

It was set to happen. The Obama administration’s rule to expand federal control over water in Nebraska and all across the country was supposed to go into effect on August 28. Thankfully, a federal judge intervened.

 

Some of you may be unfamiliar with this new policy change, which will expand the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. Through this rule, known as WOTUS, the federal government can now regulate almost any water, from prairie potholes to farm ditches and everything in between. This is federal overreach at an absurd new level.

 

But on August 27, hours before the rule would go live, a temporary injunction was issued by U.S. District Court Judge Ralph Erickson of North Dakota. For now, Nebraska is one of 13 states exempted from the rule.

 

Since this proposal was announced in 2014, I have been a vocal opponent. The reason is simple: the negative and far-reaching impacts will harm the lives of all Nebraskans. I have led multiple efforts to enhance public input on this rule. Additionally, I have pushed for answers from the EPA regarding overreaching federal jurisdiction and cumbersome burdens from the rule’s costly permitting requirements.

 

In March, I held a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee field hearing on WOTUS in Lincoln. We heard from local community and business leaders about the specific impacts on our economy and the harm to Nebraska families. One witness from the Nebraska State Homebuilders Association noted that current regulations account for 25 percent of the costs of building a home. This rule will only exacerbate these costs and put the American dream of owning a home out of reach for countless people across the country.

 

Stakeholders in Nebraska were not alone in their opposition to WOTUS. Thirty-two states said they wanted this proposal to be withdrawn or modified. This is not a partisan issue – concern over this rule is bipartisan.

 

Despite our efforts, the final rule was announced in May. Before the release of the final rule, more than one million comments and concerns were submitted to the administration regarding the proposal. With the swift release of this rule, it seems highly unlikely that the administration took its time to thoroughly read through these comments and address the many concerns. Americans deserve more accountability from the federal government.

 

The fight is not over. I have joined my colleagues to introduce legislation that will stop this rule altogether.

 

The first bill, known as the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, would require the Obama administration to consult states and stakeholders before imposing federal regulations on state-owned water resources. If enacted, this bipartisan bill would ensure that a thorough economic analysis is conducted before restricting states from managing their own natural resources.

 

Additionally, I introduced the Defending Rivers from Overreaching Policies (DROP) Act. This bill targets the flawed science used by the EPA to expand the definition of water. The administration failed to conduct an impartial and scientific analysis. The DROP Act would ensure that happens.

 

Nebraska owns the water in our state and we strive every day to protect it and secure its viability. Our local communities, farmers, and ranchers have proven their ability to be good stewards of our natural resources. But now, this rule will inhibit state and local governments from effectively regulating our water as they have done for years. Nebraska has 23 Natural Resource Districts where local communities work every day to protect and manage our water. They should continue to do so. The citizens of Nebraska should control our state’s water, not bureaucrats in Washington.

 

We must work together to preserve our water for current and future generations. The best way to do this is by protecting the local control of this resource through policies that promote growth and conservation. I will continue working with my colleagues on ways to stop harmful regulations like this rule.

 

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

 

Halftime in a Year of Progress


I have enjoyed hearing from you as I travel across the state of Nebraska this month. In my meetings and listening sessions from college campuses in Omaha to coffee shops in Chadron, I have appreciated the candid conversations about the challenges facing our nation. This feedback guides my efforts to bring Nebraska common sense to Washington.

 

We have accomplished many things by restoring important deliberation and debate to the U.S. Senate. It has been refreshing to move away from partisan divide and focus instead on making progress.

 

As we begin the final half of 2015, I am proud to be part of this new majority – one that is more efficient, more productive, and more accountable to the American people. This year alone, over 80 bipartisan bills have passed the Senate. Thirty-one of these bills have been signed into law, including legislation to expand trade, a bill to bring justice to the perpetrators of human trafficking, and a bill that requires Congress to have a say in the Iran nuclear agreement.

 

But none of this matters without an open process. All senators – no matter their party – must have the opportunity to have their voices heard. In 2014, then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada allowed only 15 roll call votes on amendments. So far this year, the Senate has taken 160.

 

In this new atmosphere, I have been able to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to achieve good things for Nebraskans and all Americans.

 

In January, I introduced a bill to authorize the minting of commemorative coins in honor of Boys Town’s 100th anniversary. This past July, it was signed into law. In the Senate, we spread the message of Boys Town and what this organization has done for countless families across the country. It didn’t take long before we received major bipartisan support for this legislation, collecting 73 cosponsors. During a visit to Boys Town this month, I was honored to present a copy of the law to the current director, Father Steven Boes.

 

Meanwhile, industries like agriculture and transportation are using new technologies to increase efficiency and drive growth through interconnected devices. This phenomenon is often referred to as the “Internet of Things.” As a world leader in technology, the United States needs to capitalize on the economic potential of innovation. In that vein, I led a bipartisan coalition of senators to pass a Senate resolution that commits our nation to a strategy for the Internet of Things. It incentivizes the use of new technologies and seeks to maximize consumer opportunity and economic growth. This resolution, which passed the Senate in March, is an important first step in promoting new ideas and innovations for years to come. I am pleased to be a leader for new technology in the Senate.

 

Bipartisan achievements do not stop there. In May, I joined Senator Bill Nelson, a Democrat from Florida, to introduce the E-Warranty Act. This bill would provide manufacturers with the option of posting their warranty information online. In an age where technology is getting smaller, faster, and more efficient, companies need the flexibility to meet the demands of their consumers.

 

I also teamed up with Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, on a proposal to eliminate a ridiculous situation where the government has been spending money on nothing. Together we introduced the Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act. By requiring agencies to close out expired grant accounts, this bill would help prevent the federal government from throwing away your hard-earned dollars.

 

These are just a few of the ways I am working hard to represent Nebraska’s interests by reaching across the aisle. We have achieved many successes, but our work is only beginning. Nebraskans deserve accountability and results, not gridlock and uncertainty. With your continued feedback, we can ensure that this pattern of productivity continues.

 

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

 

Lights Out


By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

Presidents are known for rushing new policies during their last two years in office. Without the pressure of re-election, they begin to focus on their legacies and often aggressively pursue partisan proposals.

 

We have seen this before, and we are seeing it now. What’s new is the scope and consequence of these actions. This month, the Obama administration is targeting our electricity and setting the stage for unprecedented harm to Nebraska families and our economy.

 

On August 3, 2015, President Obama finalized new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. This rule, known as the Clean Power Plan, attempts to reduce our state’s carbon emissions by 40 percent through punishing mandates. For Nebraska, this rule is even worse than initially expected. In fact, we are one of the “biggest losers” under the administration’s final rule because the reductions goals for our state are 50 percent more stringent than they were in the proposed rule.

 

The so-called Clean Power Plan is designed to favor certain sources of energy over others by unfairly targeting coal-fired power plants and forcing states to meet new emission requirements. To comply with these regulations, states will be rewarded for showing preference to renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, and severely punished for using the existing abundance of fossil fuels. We have seen this charade before and the results are always the same. When the government interferes with the free market and innovation, the economy collapses.

 

Nebraska has the distinction of being the nation’s sole 100 percent public power state. Because of this, our citizens understand the dangers of overregulating our electricity system. This is why President Obama’s rule is so alarming: It will effectively shut down many of the existing coal-fired power plants that produce two-thirds of our state’s electricity. The result? Lights out.

Utilities in Nebraska are already expanding and investing in renewable energy sources. Our coal plants are leading the way by incorporating clean coal technology to reduce emissions while boosting our economy. But “one-size-fits-all” mandates from Washington are not the solution.

 

The plan’s negative consequences were illuminated in June by a panel of expert witnesses during a hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. As a member of this committee, I asked the witnesses how the president’s proposed carbon regulations would affect middle- and low-income families, minority communities, and energy-intensive manufacturing operations. They provided sobering accounts of how the EPA’s plan would harm families and how these effects would far outweigh the alleged environmental benefits.

 

To combat the plan, I have joined Senator Shelly Moore Capito of West Virginia to introduce the Affordable Reliable Energy Now Act (ARENA). This bill would halt the damaging effects of the plan by requiring the EPA to demonstrate the viability of its proposal. It would require the EPA to study the rule’s effects at a minimum of six separate power facilities before implementing new mandates. Additionally, ARENA provisions would extend the compliance dates for the EPA’s new regulations until after a final judicial review of the proposal has occurred.

 

Put simply, our legislation will force the EPA to prove the economic benefits of this rule. It will also hold the EPA accountable for the harm this will inflict on Nebraskans and families across the nation.

 

I will continue to oppose this rule’s implementation and protect Nebraska from the administration’s unprecedented power grab. We cannot afford to roll the dice with our economy and the electricity you rely on in your daily life.

 

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer