Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb., July 22, 2008 -- More than $2.6 million in disaster aid is approved for Nebraska individuals and business owners who sustained damage during the storms, tornadoes and flooding that hammered the state from May 22 to June 24, 2008. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said to date, more than 2,000 people registered for disaster aid.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has allocated well over to $1.4 million of the approved amount in the form of low-interest home and business loans.    » read more »

LINCOLN, Neb., July 22, 2008 -- Nebraskans who were affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that swept the state from May 22 - June 24, 2008 have less than four weeks to apply for disaster aid. The last day to register is Tuesday August 19, 2008.

Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials said anyone who had disaster losses should call FEMA's toll free number, 1-800-621-FEMA. People with hearing or speech impairments can call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Registration can also be done online at www.fema.gov/assistance.    » read more »

LINCOLN, Neb., June 23, 2008 -- The federal disaster declaration on Friday, June 20, 2008 opens the door for recovery assistance for Nebraskans according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

If you live in Buffalo, Butler, Colfax, Dawson, Douglas, Gage, Hamilton, Jefferson, Kearney, Platte, Richardson, Sarpy or Saunders County, there are a number of programs available for eligible applicants.

Disaster assistance may include:    » read more »

Governor Awards $177,000 in CDBG Funding to Support Operations

June 17, 2008 -- Columbus, Neb. -- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman was among those celebrating the opening of a new business today. Katana Summit, LLC, selected Columbus as the site for its new manufacturing facility.

At the event, the Governor announced $177,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to help city and county officials construct a road to provide access to the site. Katana Summit manufactures 80 and 90 meter steel wind turbine towers and the grant will help build and pave a road to support traffic at the facility.    » read more »

June 13, 2007 -- Lincoln, Neb. -- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman today submitted a request to President George W. Bush for a federal disaster declaration following several weeks of severe storms that have produced tornadoes, high winds, lightning, and flooding throughout much of Nebraska.

Damage assessments from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) indicate at least $22 million in damages to public infrastructure.    » read more »

Relief efforts underway throughout Midwest, but also in West Virginia

WASHINGTON -- June 09, 2008 -- Storms and heavy rainfall have caused serious flash flooding in already saturated areas of the central United States. In response, the American Red Cross has mobilized relief workers to six states in the devastated areas.

Flooded midwestern home: Photo by cabakus (CC)

Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss.    » read more »

May 29, 2008 -- Lincoln, Neb. -- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman has declared a state of emergency in response to severe weather that unleashed several confirmed tornados this evening in the central Nebraska area of Kearney and Aurora.

The Governor is expected to travel to the area tomorrow to survey storm damage.    » read more »

May 29, 2008 -- Lincoln, Neb. -- Preliminary reports of tornadoes and severe storm conditions around Kearney indicate damage. The State has activated Nebraska’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Lincoln.

Due to a damaged power line, the portion of Interstate-80 between Aurora and York will be closed immediately.

EOC includes cooperation between several key state agencies, including:
the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nebraska State Patrol, State Fire Marshall, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Roads, Nebraska National Guard, and the Department of Environmental Quality.    » read more »

May 23, 2008 -- (Lincoln, Neb.) -- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman today reminded Nebraskans that U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff until noon on Monday, May 26 per presidential order to honor the selfless service of America’s servicemen and women.

Gov. Heineman said, “On behalf of all Nebraskans, I salute the heroes who have served this country with honor. I ask that we each take a moment to pause during gatherings with friends and family this Memorial Day to remember the courage and bravery of those who have sacrificed all for our nation and our freedom.”

Yesterday, President George W. Bush signed a proclamation ordering flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide during the first half of this year’s Memorial Day observance.

Source: Nebraska Governor

April 23, 2008 -- Lincoln, Neb. - Audra Ostergard, Associate Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party and member of the Democratic National Committee, publicly announced her support for Senator Barack Obama in the race for the Democratic Presidential nomination.

Barack Obama supporters in Omaha, Nebraska: Photo by irishgirlerin (CC)    » read more »

4-22-08 -- Lincoln, Nebraska -- Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning issued the following comment about a letter from the Kansas Department of Agriculture alleging Nebraska owes more than $72 million in damages for 2006.

“While we remain committed to working with Kansas to resolve the compact issues, we’re disappointed to receive a damage claim that has no basis in reality. Kansas’ method of calculating damages was rejected by a special master and the U.S. Supreme Court in the Arkansas River case,” said Bruning.

Republican River: Photo by Ron Schott (CC)    » read more »

April 18, 2008 -- Lincoln, Neb.-- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman recently sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer requesting assistance for Nebraska’s livestock and poultry industries, which have been severely impacted by the growing cost of feed grains.

South Koreans protest US beef imports, Seoul: Photo by doc_ido (CC)    » read more »

April 16, 2008 -- Lincoln, Neb. - Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman and Attorney General Jon Bruning commented today on a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that upheld lethal injection as a legal method of execution in response to a challenge in another state.

Gov. Heineman said, “I find it encouraging that the United States Supreme Court has ruled Kentucky’s method of lethal injection as a constitutional means of execution.

“The ruling issued today is intricate and complex and I have asked Attorney General Bruning to conduct a careful, thorough and thoughtful review of this case in order to determine an appropriate course of action. I am not eager to call a special session and I will not make a final decision regarding a special session until this review is completed.”    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- Lincoln, Neb. - Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman today signed legislation into law updating state statutes regarding student assessment in Nebraska. Introduced by Sen. Ron Raikes of Lincoln, LB 1157 requires a specific and uniform testing plan for Nebraska’s K-12 school districts.

“This bill is the dawning of a new era in education assessment for Nebraska,” Gov. Heineman said. “It is an opportunity to focus on educational excellence and academic accountability, and will help showcase academic excellence by Nebraska students in comparison to other states.”    » read more »

Law Enhances Business Climate & Acts as Economic Stimulus

April 9, 2008 -- (Lincoln, Neb.) Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman today signed LB 888 into law. The bill lowers taxes for Nebraska businesses and is the first adjustment to the state’s corporate tax brackets since 1982.

Main Street, Scottsbluff, Nebraska: Photo by Mike Welfl (CC)

The bill provides tax relief that is aimed at small businesses by extending the lower tax bracket for corporate income tax filers    » read more »