Senator Deb Fischer - News

SEN. FISCHER ENCOURAGES CITIZENS TO ATTEND KEYSTONE PIPELINE PUBLIC MEETING

4 May 2010 00:40:00 GMT

(Lincoln, NE) �Sen. Fischer announces that the US Department of State (DOS) will be holding a public meeting regarding the Keystone XL Pipeline Environmental Impact Study on Tuesday, May 11, 2010, in Atkinson. The meeting will take place at the Atkinson Community Center located at 206 W. 5th Street. This is one of 19 meetings to be held across the state on the study. The public is invited to attend this public meeting to provide oral and written comments for the administrative record. “I strongly encourage citizens to attend this meeting to learn about the impact statement and share any concerns they may have�, stated Sen. Fischer.

The DOS prepared the study in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and worked in with additional agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; the U.S. Department of the Interior � Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture � Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, and Rural Utilities Service. The study assesses the potential impacts of the proposed crude oil pipeline and related facilities that will run through Nebraska.

The study is available for download from the following website, www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov or at public reading rooms and libraries. The DOS will accept comments on the study in the following formats:

Comment in person at a public meeting
Mail comments to: Elizabeth Orlando, Keystone XL Project Manager, U.S. Department of State, OES/ENV Room 2657, Washington, DC 20520.
Fax comments to : (202) 647-1052
Email comments to : xlpipelineproject@state.gov
Comment via the Keystone XL EIS website: www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov

For questions and additional information, please contact Senator Fischer�s office at 402-471-2628 or dfischer@leg.ne.gov.

SEN. FISCHER ENCOURAGES CITIZENS TO FILL OUT DEPARTMENT OF ROADS SURVEY

30 Apr 2010 21:18:18 GMT

(Lincoln, NE) � With funding for Nebraska�s highway system hitting historically crisis levels, State Senator Deb Fischer of Valentine, encourages local government officials and the traveling public to fill out a Department of Roads� (NDOR) survey that was recently released. Senator Fischer is chairperson of the Legislature�s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.

“I think most people have become aware of the fiscal crisis we are facing in Nebraska with regard to highway funding,� Senator Fischer said. “While we have less revenue, at the same time we are facing higher costs in our highway construction program. Now, more than ever, we need to be able to prioritize the needs of our transportation infrastructure and the efforts of NDOR.�

NDOR periodically prepares a Long Range Transportation Plan for the state. The Department has designed a survey to gather input to identify statewide, regional and local transportation issues facing Nebraska. The survey results will guide NDOR in developing goals and objectives for the Long Range Transportation Plan: Vision 2032.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the average citizen to participate in his or her government so that our limited resources can be used in the most efficient manner and according to the priorities of the traveling public,� Senator Fischer said.

All responses will be kept anonymous and will be reported in the aggregate. The survey takes approximately fifteen minutes to complete. The survey is open to the traveling public and those who travel or distribute goods throughout the state.

Anyone willing to fill out the survey can access it on the internet at www.roads.nebraska.gov/lrtp/vision2032/. The survey deadline is May 21, and results will be posted later this summer.

“I encourage everyone to take the time and fill this survey out,� Fischer said. “Not only will NDOR be able to effectively plan for the future, but the Legislature will be guided in its pursuit of additional highway funding with the limited resources available.�

World-Herald editorial: Capitol�s cast of characters

16 Apr 2010 14:27:31 GMT

With the close of the 2010 session of the Nebraska Legislature, we could offer thoughts on all members of that body. Let�s instead consider brief tangents relating to only a few of them in regard to the just-ended session:

Speaker Mike Flood. The speaker demonstrated impressive diplomatic skills and leadership in the way he contributed to key negotiations. He was crucial in helping defuse two difficult controversies: one involving Nebraska community colleges, and another involving the hospital dispute in Kearney.

In these and similar situations, Flood has shown that he has special skill in knowing when to proceed softly and when to press firmly for action.

Sen. Chris Langemeier. As chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, Langemeier took on a dauntingly complex issue wind energy involving differing interests among Nebraska interest groups. Langemeier and other lawmakers who spearheaded this issue came up with a practical way forward.

Challenges lie ahead on a matter this complicated, but the legislation lays a sturdy foundation.

Sen. Deb Fischer. The Valentine lawmaker continued to demonstrate particular skill in understanding important aspects of parliamentary procedure and in building support for her efforts.

Sen. Brad Ashford. This Omaha senator showed laudable passion and skill in crafting an important bill to promote needed flexibility in the juvenile justice system. It was a major undertaking to oversee a process involving so many dimensions and entities.

Sen. Dennis Utter. At one point he described himself as the Legislature�s “grumpy old man.� This Hastings lawmaker became a fixture this session in standing up and, right or wrong, offering impassioned “now, wait a minute, folks� warnings about spending proposals, large and small.

>> Sen. Steve Lathrop. Gov. Dave Heineman rightly made clear that he wouldn�t support accepting federal stimulus funds for unemployment insurance if it meant increasing long-term insurance rates on Nebraska businesses. Lathrop, chairman of the Business and Labor Committee, responded by using his formidable negotiating skills to work out a compromise acceptable to both business and labor. (Nebraska will get the stimulus funds, but some benefits will be increased and others lowered to reduce the pressure on rates.)

That notable achievement was in line with Lathrop�s work as a successful negotiator several years ago on the stem-cell issue.

>> Sen. Greg Adams. This was an unusual session for the respected York lawmaker, who chairs the Education Committee.

Some challenging educational issues arose that required his attention. But hovering over Adams this session was the realization that his greatest challenge by far lies next year, when the federal stimulus dollars run out and Nebraska will face excruciating decisions on state aid levels to public education.

On school funding, then, this session seemed more of a prelude to the headaches of 2011. Nebraska is fortunate to have someone of Adams� leadership and character in that key committee chairmanship.

>> Sen. Brenda Council. The Omaha senator frequently demonstrated her ability to analyze issues in detail and express her arguments in clear, compelling language.

Sen. Colby Coash. Here�s an example of a young, unflashy lawmaker who has demonstrated conscientious committee work and contributed thoughtfully to floor debate.

Sen. Kathy Campbell. This Lincoln senator, with an extensive background in Nebraska policy issues, deserved the “courage award� this session for impressively taking the lead on two divisive issues: the prenatal care controversy, and the hospital moratorium. That�s the mark of a leader.

Sen. Galen Hadley. Whew. This forceful, well-informed Kearney lawmaker may not always prevail, but when he speaks during floor debate, he sure knows how to get up a tremendous head of steam in making his arguments. Senators would be wise to think, “Here comes Hadley gangway!�

OWH Editorial: Nebraska needs to show caution on telecom plan

6 Apr 2010 17:00:48 GMT

BY DEB FISCHER
The writer, of Valentine, Neb., is a Nebraska state senator representingDistrict 43.

As chairwoman of the N�braska Legislature�s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, I welcomed a March 22 World-Herald editorial that urged caution regarding the federal government�s National Broadband Plan.

This plan is being offered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Nebraskans need to keep a close eye on how this would affect the high-quality broadband service Nebraskans enjoy today.

Nebraska has employed a positive legislative and regulatory environment in the area of telecommunications going back to 1986, when legislation was passed providing appropriate incentives and assistance to spur private investment in our telecommunications network.

That policy has served Nebraska well by encouraging private investment in voice telephone service as well as one of the nation�s most comprehensive broadband networks. Broadband service is vital to businesses and economic growth, and Nebraska proudly ranks third in the country in access to broadband Internet services.

One very successful element of this policy has been prohibiting government entities to compete with our private sector telecommunications companies. This promoted private investment in our broadband networks and made Nebraska a welcome place for private companies to make investments in their telecommunications infrastructure.

Another successful element of our regulatory policy has been the Nebraska Universal Service Fund (USF), which encourages private investment in our state.

Ninety-six percent of Nebraska residents enjoy access to advanced high-speed broad�band services. In most cases, allowing the public sector into this business will merely duplicate services Nebraskans are already offered.

I do not mean to imply that all Nebraskans have adequate broadband service. There is work left to be done, including reaching the remote rural areas of the state.

However, I am certain that we can find a way to serve the 4 percent not receiving broadband service without putting the other 96 percent of the state at risk of losing their service or falling behind in new technologies.

The role of future state and federal policy should be to close those gaps, but not at the risk of moving backward at the expense of the private sector and investments in our state that have already been made or will be made in the near future.

In the past, whenever the federal government deregulated an industry, it created a safety net for rural areas. We must make sure that any national broadband plan provides for all Americans, including our rural businesses and residents.

We cannot allow the federal government to solely dictate the direction of a broadband plan without a role for state authority and regulation. Local needs and the local economic and geographic environment require shared regulatory responsibilities.

I have introduced a legislative study resolution that will review and monitor the progress of the national broadband plan proposed by the FCC. The goal is to determine the plan�s impact upon existing Nebraska telecommunications policy.

The Legislature hopes to collect input and assistance from Nebraska�s broadband service providers, the Nebraska Public Service Commission, federal government agencies and from Nebraska�s business and residential broadband customers.

The future of broadband and telecommunications services in our state is vital to the economic prosperity and safety of all Nebraska residents. We must be vigilant to make sure Nebraska�s concerns and needs are met by any comprehensive national policy.

Officials vent concerns about Nebraska roads impasse

30 Mar 2010 18:04:02 GMT

Federal, state and local officials met Tuesday in an attempt to begin to untie Nebraska's road-building knot.

"We need to find a way forward and not let process, procedure, bureaucracy and red tape stand in the way," Sen. Ben Nelson said.

Nelson called the transportation conference in Lincoln in an effort to break the impasse that has virtually halted projects that depend on nonstimulus federal funding.

An overflow crowd filled the Lincoln City Council chambers.

"Money needs to be spent on projects, not process," Lincoln City Engineer Roger Figard said.

"Somehow, we quit working together," Figard said, pointing to both the Federal Highway Administration and the Nebraska Department of Roads.

"We need consistency," he said.

Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler said road-building has been halted by "a knotted noose" of rules and administrative interpretations.

"We're only taking care of maintenance now," said state Sen. Deb Fischer of Valentine, chairwoman of the Legislature's Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.

"We're falling behind," she said, and Nebraskans are frustrated and disappointed.

Fischer said she'll convene a future conference of her own to "find more (state) revenue for roads."

Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez said he's committed to helping break the logjam, but that also requires more response and coordination by the Nebraska Department of Roads.

"Some of the problems have been on our end," Mendez said, but the state has a legal obligation to provide "appropriate oversight."

One of the requirements, he said, is to make sure a trained local official will oversee local federal-aid projects.

"Oversight is an essential part of protecting American taxpayers," he said.

Mendez noted his agency increased staffing and streamlined processes to make sure Nebraska was able to use all of the $235 million in federal stimulus funding allocated to the state for highway construction.

"We need to partner together," he said. "We'll make things happen."

The requirements placed on Nebraska also are imposed on other states, he said.

Only a few states have not resolved issues that were raised five years ago, Mendez said.

Among concerns raised by participants in the meeting were changing environmental regulations and rigid conflict of interest rules that do not allow the same engineers to take a project from inception to completion.

Nelson said he just "hope(s) the federal government doesn't consider itself the senior partner" in the process.

"It should not be a command and control relationship," he said. "I think there's been some of that."

Nebraska's transportation infrastructure is "a key backbone to economic development in the state," Nelson said.

"We need to work around the barriers," he said.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.

Transportation Summit In Lincoln Today

30 Mar 2010 18:04:02 GMT

April 15 as the deadline for high school juniors and seniors to apply for the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute, held on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus July 6-10, 2010. NAYI provides an opportunity for students to expand their understanding of agriculture, develop critical thinking, leadership and decision making skills, while interacting with other youth interested in the future of agriculture.

NAYI participants will spend five days hearing motivational speakers and experiencing a computer-simulated team farm management program, as well as taking part in social activities. Selection of delegates will be based on leadership skills, interest, and involvement in agriculture. All meals, lodging, and conference fees are provided for the delegates during the Institute.

Senator Deb Fischer hopes that students in Legislative District 43 will take advantage of NAYI�s opportunity to learn how to make a difference in agriculture. Applications can be accessed online at www.agr.ne.gov. or picked up from high school agriculture teachers or counselors.

NAYI Press Release

30 Mar 2010 18:04:02 GMT

Federal officials are just meddling

23 Mar 2010 16:31:27 GMT

In Nebraska, people convicted of drunken driving are required to install an interlock device that tests their breath for alcohol before their vehicle will start.

Nebraska was one of the first states to require the devices, which have proven remarkably effective in reducing the number of repeat drunken driving offenses.

Under the terms of probation, offenders can use the devices to drive to work, school and alcohol treatment. This year about 2,000 Nebraskans will have the devices installed in their cars at their own expense.

Since the law went into effect on 2009, offenders also have been allowed to drive to appointments with their probation officers.

Now the federal government has decided to intervene. Federal officials say that driving to probation appointments no longer should be a permitted use.

In the grand scheme of things the issue may be small. But the situation is emblematic of how the immense power of the federal government can be used in arbitrary fashion.

If Nebraska continues to permit offenders to drive to probation appointments, the state may lose as much as $7.15 million in federal funds.

"This truly shows the disconnect with the feds," Sen. Deb Fischer of Valentine told the Journal Star. "Some bureaucrat has decided people don't need to drive to probation appointments."

In urban areas the federal requirement may not be too onerous. Public transportation is available. Travel distances and time will be shorter.

In large sections of rural Nebraska, however, there is no public transportation, and a trip to see a probation officer can take a good part of a day.

Like some of the other states that were leaders in the move toward interlock devices, Nebraska lawmakers thought it was logical to permit trips to the probation office, reasoning they were part of the rehabilitative process just like trips to alcohol treatment.

But federal bureaucrats disagree.

"They rejected our arguments," said Department of Motor Vehicles Director Beverly Neth. "They are very particular. They don't like a lot of straying from their verbiage."

So now a bill wending through the Legislature will outlaw trips to probation officers by offenders with interlock devices effective July 15.

The judgment of unelected bureaucrats will be substituted for the judgment of elected lawmakers.

Historically one can easily find examples when federal authority has been used to positive effect, such as enforcement of voting rights for minority Americans.

But when the federal government micromanages on minor matters, especially when it wields power in arbitrarily and illogically in cases like the interlock law, it's annoying and meddlesome. The feds have overstepped their proper role.