May 22, 2012

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Nebraska families encourage to save now for college later (AUDIO)

May 22, 2012 By

Treasurer Don Stenberg answers a question as David Cota with 1st National Bank looks on

State officials hope to encourage more Nebraskans to invest in their children’s future; or their grandchildren, nieces, nephews, even a friend to help them pay for college.

The state offers four college savings plans through the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust, but only about 12% of the Nebraska families eligible participate.

“I was very pleased to oversee the development of Nebraska’s College Savings Plan during my years as State Treasurer,” said Gov. Dave Heineman stated during a news conference at the Capitol office. “I am thrilled to see Nebraskans taking advantage of this opportunity. Education is a top priority for our state, and college savings plans are important to help students and families plan for the future.”

The governor has issued a proclamation declaring May 29th “529 College Savings Day” in Nebraska. That somewhat awkward tag stems from the United States Internal Revenue Code, Section 529, which offers both federal and state tax breaks to those investing toward a college education.

While saving for college has long been a priority for parents and grandparents and for the students themselves, never has saving for college been more critical,” Stenberg noted, stating that college tuition keeps rising each year.

More than 52,000 families in Nebraska and more than 180,000 nationwide are saving for their children’s higher education through NEST. Still, Stenberg says many more can participate.

The Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST) is made up of four savings plans – the NEST Direct College Savings Plan, the NEST Advisor College Savings Plan, the TD Ameritrade 529 College Savings Plan, and the State Farm College Savings Plan. First National Bank of Omaha is the program manager, and the State Treasurer is the program trustee. All investments are approved by the Nebraska Investment Council.

Senior Managing Director of First National Bank, David Cota, says the assets in the four plans totals $2.7 billion. The NEST Direct plan is the most popular of the plans, with total assets of $1.2 billion. Another plan is offered that is FDIC insured up to $250,000. The average college savings account is $14,000.

State officials stated the plans are attractive, because they offer tax advantages and are professionally managed.

Click here for more information on 529 college savings plans.

AUDIO: Gov. Heineman hosts news conference, promoting college savings plans [10 min.]

Filed Under: Education, News Tagged With:

Applications now being taken for the Children’s Commission

May 7, 2012 By

Applications for the newly created Children’s Commission are being accepted by the governor’s office.

The legislature created the commission in LB 821 approved in the past legislative session.

Gov. Dave Heineman’s office has sent out a news release stating that the governor will accept applications for the Children’s Commission.

The governor’s office notes that the commission, as outlined by the bill, is to include the following voting members:

• director of a child advocacy center;

• administrator of a behavioral health region;

• community representatives from each of the five service areas;

• prosecuting attorney who practices in juvenile court;

• guardian ad litem;

• biological parent currently or previously involved in the child welfare system;

• foster parent;

• court-appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteer;

• member of the state or local Foster Care Review Board;

• child welfare service agency that directly provides child welfare services;

• young adult previously in foster care; and

• representative of a child advocacy organization.

An online application is available at http://www.governor.nebraska.gov/bc/board_comm.html. The governor’s office asks that the position being applied for be designated on the application. The deadline to apply is at the close of the business day Friday, May 12th. Contact Peggy King in the governor’s office at peggy.king@nebraska.gov for more information.

Filed Under: Legislature & Government, News Tagged With:

Heineman expects illegal immigration to remain an issue (AUDIO)

May 3, 2012 By

Gov. Dave Heineman shies away from endorsing an Arizona-style law to crack down on illegal immigration in Nebraska.

Heineman says he has not studied the law debated in oral arguments before the United States Supreme Court, but says a lack of federal action has forced states to try to act.

“We support legal immigration in this state, not illegal immigration. It is a serious issue for this state and the failure of the federal government to act on this issue creates all sorts of challenges. We’ve seen them in Nebraska. You see them in Arizona, in other states across America,” Heineman tells reporters in a conference call.

Arizona law allows police officers to make routine inspections of immigration status during stops. The United States Supreme Court has taken up the case and heard oral arguments in it last week.

Heineman still smarts over the legislature’s move to override his veto of a bill extending state prenatal benefits to illegal immigrants.

“We just had the debate in the last legislative session. I vetoed the bill that would give state-funded benefits to illegal immigrants,” Heineman says. “I don’t think most Nebraskans support that. So, these issues are going to continue to come up.”

Heineman says the money flowing to illegal immigrants will leave less money for core state services, such as education.

AUDIO: Gov. Dave Heineman on Arizona’s illegal immigration law [:20]

Filed Under: Legislature & Government, News Tagged With:

Heineman to host Romney at Omaha fundraiser (AUDIO)

May 1, 2012 By

Gov. Dave Heineman

The Republican Party’s presumptive nominee for president will make a visit to Nebraska, a fundraising event hosted by the governor.

Mitt Romney will be in Omaha just prior to the May 15th primary. Governor Heineman, the first Republican governor to come out for Romney, says the former governor from Massachusetts can turn the country’s economy around.

“We need someone in the White House who understands how to generate economic activity and increase jobs in this country,” Heineman told reporters during a conference call. “Remember, President Obama said, ‘Pass my economic policies and unemployment won’t go above 8%.’ It’s still above 8% and we need to make a change at that level.”

Heineman said Romney’s vision for America is dramatically different from that of President Obama.

Heineman came out early for Romney even though it appeared most Nebraska Republicans favored his opponents, such as former United States House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. The National Republican Party officially selects its nominee at the national convention being held in Tampa, Florida in August. All three will be on the Nebraska Republican presidential primary ballot May 15th along with Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

AUDIO: Brent Martin reports [:40]

Filed Under: News, Politics Tagged With:

Golfing, dining, family fun…Nebraska ready to promote tourism (AUDIO)

April 30, 2012 By

Come to Nebraska and golf.

That will be one promotional effort this summer as the state tries to build on a growing tourism industry, an industry that generates more than $4 billion a year and employees as many as 45,600 Nebraskans.

Gov. Dave Heineman promoted tourism during a conference call with reporters this morning, a preview to Seek Nebraska Week May 5th through the 12th, which will highly vacation and travel options in the state.

The 2012 Nebraska Passport encourages Nebraskans to visit all parts of their state, collecting stamps from 80 participating locations. Visitors can collect prizes for their efforts. For collecting 25 stamps, a visitor will receive a $25 GROW Nebraska gift card. For visiting half of the locations, a visitor will receive a Canon Powershot digital camera, just for sending in a tear-out page from the passport. A grand-prize drawing for an Apple iPad will be held in October.

Heineman says the state will promote certain themes to attract tourists this year, but will emphasize economical, family trips.

“Travelers will find that their lodging, dining and entertainment dollars go further in Nebraska,” according to Heineman. “We encourage Nebraskans and those in surrounding areas to get out and explore Nebraska this year.”

The Passport program organizes the 80 stops into 10 special interest tours: culinary, culture, family fun, festivals, golf, GROW Nebraska, parks, unique accommodations, water adventure and wineries.

State officials say the passport promotion highlights destinations including: 51st Annual Wilber Czech Fest, The Prairie Club golf course in Valentine, Sehnert’s Bakery & Bieroc Café in McCook, Lake McConaughy Visitor/Water Interpretive Center in Ogallala, High Plains Homestead in Crawford, Pawnee Plunge Water Park in Columbus and Mac’s Creek Winery & Vineyards in Lexington.

Nebraska golfing got an unexpected boost last year when United States House Speaker John Boehner mentioned playing at the Dismal River Golf Club in Mullen, Nebraska [View CBS video on YouTube].

Director Kathy McKillip with the Division of Travel and Tourism says surveys show Nebraskans need to take more pride in what their state has to offer.

“And we’re finding that we need to do better as Nebraskans in believing in ourselves and what our amenities and resources are and getting out and supporting those.” McKillip stated.

Even as Heineman promotes Nebraska tourism, he concedes the state needs to focus its efforts to promote tourism spots. Heineman says the state is working with a consultant on a strategic plan to promote tourism.

“So, we need to think about what do we have to offer here? How we want to promote it. I think we have a more diverse program or series of activities that we can promote in the state, but again we need to get focused what are the three or four that we’re really going to try to make a difference with,” Heineman stated.

State officials say travel expenditures in Nebraska have grown by more than $2 billion since 1990.

Interactive maps, road trip ideas, trip planners and more are available at VisitNebraska.gov. For more on the 2012 Passport program, go to nebraskapassport.com.

AUDIO: Gov. Heineman discusses tourism during conference call with reporters [4:35]

Filed Under: Economy, Legislature & Government, News Tagged With:
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