The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

It began with a yellow piece of paper, taped crookedly on a wall by four jagged pieces of electrical tape. A single word, written in blue block letters, spells out the theme of what many need to remem...

The voter ID measure, a solution in search of a problem, has been thankfully watered down in legislative action that clearly indicates the wheels on the Republican juggernaut are wobbly, if not ready...

The 108th Legislature, First Session, has adjourned sine die. This past year, lawmakers passed some important bills and failed to agree on other critical issues. Excluding A bills, of the 820 bills...

Amid nasty debate about social issues, filibustering and theater playing out in the legislative chamber, lawmakers did manage to meet their constitutional obligation and pass a balanced budget on day...

If you are a farmer or live in a rural area, you know that planting season is in full swing. Progress rates are well ahead of last year. On May 22, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that...

A legislative proposal to make various changes to Nebraska’s tax system received second-round approval this past week. LB 727 is a Revenue Committee omnibus package that contains provisions from nea...

The word “gift” has been on my mind lately and it’s been churning, causing me to contemplate the significance of the term. A memory sparked, involving gifts. I’m certain that’s why it’s...

As the days in the George W. Norris Legislative Chamber dwindle down to a precious few, the Republican majority continues to trip over each other patting themselves on the back while the Democrats...

This week saw the Legislature continue to work late into the night to complete its business before adjourning in June. Although only a few bills have advanced thus far, a tremendous amount of work is...

Years ago, on late evening car trips, Dad would turn the dial to WLS or KOMA or WOAI - radio stations based in Chicago, Oklahoma City and San Antonio. The radio’s light illuminated my parents...

The Legislature gave second-round approval to the budget bills this past week. This effort will allow the budget to be read on Final Reading next week, meeting the requirement to have it pass by the...

With less than two weeks left in the session, the 108th Legislature is dragging an overburdened $12.975 billion budget to the finish line. Passing the budget is the only thing lawmakers are...

“Patience is a flower which doesn’t grow in everybody’s garden.” I wonder if the originator of the aforementioned quote ever went through hip replacement surgery. At this point, this patient...

As if propping up the school aid formula to historic proportions wasn't enough, the new governor appears to be getting his way in the Legislature with a package of tax changes that could cost the...

This week saw the Legislature debate the mainline state budget. The latest projections from the Economic Forecasting Board lowered revenue projections for the current fiscal year by $80 million to $6....

It seems way too easy a solution to a problem that has plagued the Legislature for years, school funding. But lawmakers have advanced Governor Jim Pillen's proposal for the state to pay public school...

The Appropriations Committee advanced its finalized recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 biennial budget to the full Legislature. This proposal calls for an average increase of...

I’m a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child. This week, I’m a firm believer that it takes a village to get the paper from InDesign to our printer in Iowa to your mailbox or...

Having an estate plan in place is so important. Doing so can save time, money and stress for your loved ones, not to mention prevent unnecessary family disagreements. If you are reading this, take it...

This week saw the Legislature pass the first four bills of the year. LB 376 would create a brand registration for the state Liquor Control Commission to accurately identify and track alcoholic product...

The Legislature's Appropriations Committee has signed off on providing the funds to build a $366 million prison in the Lincoln-Omaha area just as the Department of Corrections brings on a new...

This month’s state board of education meeting convened on Thursday, April 13 and Friday, April 14 at the Graduate Hotel in Lincoln. Before I get into this month’s highlights, I want to challenge y...