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Opinion

Working on a Farm Bill for Nebraska

d.C . by U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts Congress is supposed to pass a new Farm Bill every five years. The Farm Bill is crucial and complex. It deals with everything from conservation to crop insurance to trade and nutrition programs. The current Farm Bill will expire this fall. With farmers net income projected to drop 25 percent this year, it’s particularly important that Congress act soon.

Why we stand for the flag

On my recent trip to the beaches of Normandy, I witnessed a striking testimony of patriotism when American veterans of the D-Day invasion made the extraordinary effort to stand resolutely for the presentation of the American flag at a ceremony. Each of these men were around 100 years of age, and for many, standing came with extreme difficulty. Time had taken much of the strength from their legs and backs, but it had not taken the love of their country from their hearts.

A new Nebraska law makes court diversion program available to veterans

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Facing his fifth drunk driving offense in 25 years, Robert Jackson of Olathe, KS, was given a choice: go to court and take a possible jail sentence, or commit to a diversion program that keeps military veterans out of jail.

Many have tried - few have succeeded...

Many have tried, and few have succeeded in expanding the state’s sales tax base by taxing things now exempt from taxation. But that is where Gov.

Keeping nursing homes open

WashingtOn d.C . Almost 10,000 Nebraskans live in certified nursing facilities.

Tax relief is necessary

Later this summer the Governor promised to call a special session of the legislature to reduce property taxes. I’m all for it. The fact that this is an election year and we have 15 term-limited senators departing the body, makes his decision a politically wise choice. Unfortunately, I don’t know if the political pressure from a looming election this Fall will be sufficient to find the 33 votes that will be needed.

Pillen still plugging for property tax relief...

Have you been to the grocery store or courthouse lately and been approached in the parking lot by not one, but two people seeking signatures on initiative petitions concerning abortion rights? Confused? You’re not alone. For what appears to be the first time in history, Nebraskans are being asked to sign not one, not two, but three petitions seeking to determine if and when a woman can have an abortion.

D-Day is a monumental victory for the free world

W This week, I traveled to France with a delegation of my congressional colleagues, led by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (RLA), to honor the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion on D-Day on the battlefields where 150,000 young men from the United States and our allies commenced the largest invasion by sea in the history of the world. We participated in commemorative events alongside veterans of the Second World War and their family members, current U.S.