Your Subscription May Be Due! If a red star appears on your address label, your subscription is about to expire. Please turn to page Valentine 2 for subscription rates. MIDLAND NEWS 75¢ Vol. 49 No. 34 14 Pages - 1 Section Valentine, Nebraska 69201 • January 20, 2021 On Thursday, January 14, Governor Pete Ricketts delivered his annual State of the State address in the George W. Norris Legisla- tive Chamber. Valentine Elementry School recipients pictured are from L to R: Mrs. Wonnenburg, Tammy Lutter, Jan Smith, Pastor Scott McClel- In the address, Governor Ricketts overviewed his priorities for len, Ms. Johnson, Mrs. Jordan, Mrs. Stec, and Mrs. Brown. the next two-year budget, which include delivering property tax relief and veterans tax relief. He also welcomed senators as they opened the First Session of the 107th Nebraska Legislature. Gov. Ricketts’ Nebraska Way budget and legislative initiatives LINCOLN – Governor Pete budget anticipates this legislative Ricketts unveiled his budget recom- proposal being enacted in 2021. mendations and legislative priori- 5. School Funding: The Gover- ties for the 2021 legislative session nor’s proposed budget fully funds during his annual State of the the state school aid formula with State address. In his speech, Gov. an additional $42.7 million in state Ricketts talked about the need for aid to K-12 schools over the next two state leaders to work together the years. Each year of this budget, the Nebraska Way to deliver property formula is providing roughly $1.1 Valentine Middle School recipients pictured are from L to R: Mr. Sayer, Jan Smith, Pastor Scott tax relief and help move the state billion in aid to schools. McClellen, Tammy Lutter, Mrs. Thrope, and Mrs. Hronek. forward as the coronavirus pan- 6. Space Command: Nebraska demic continues. is still working to bring the U.S. Here are the top 10 things you Space Command to the Heartland. need to know about the Governor’s The Governor’s budget calls for the budget and legislative initiatives: Legislature to invest $50 million in a 1. Controls State Spending: The public-private partnership to bring Governor proposes controlling this important mission to Offutt Air spending by limiting the State’s an- Force Base. nual budget growth to 1.5 percent. 7. Public Safety: The Governor This is less than one-fourth of the is recommending an initial invest- yearly budget growth before Gov. ment of $115 million to replace Ricketts took office. the decaying Nebraska State Peni- 2. Controls Local Spending: The tentiary with a new, modern cor- Governor is recommending legisla- rectional facility. This investment tive action to limit the growth of will also increase the operational local government property taxes capacity of Nebraska’s corrections to three percent per year. Property system to meet forecasted needs. taxes have grown by 4.46 percent 8. Healthcare Workforce Flexibil- annually on average for the last ity: The Governor is recommending 10 years for an overall increase of legislation to allow licensed health- 54.65 percent. New local spending care professionals from other states constraints are critical to ensure the to work in Nebraska. He issued an relief provided goes into people’s executive order in 2020 to allow this Valentine High School recipients pictured are from L to R: Mr. Halley, Jan Smith, Tammy Lutter, pockets and to maintain local con- flexibility during the coronavirus Pastor Scott McClellen, and Mr. Cronin. trol in future years. pandemic. The legislation Gov. 3. Property Tax Relief: The Ricketts is proposing would make Governor’s budget delivers $1.36 this change permanent to encour- billion in property tax relief over age more healthcare professionals Pastor Paul Nolting. the biennium. This includes $550 to bring their skills to the Good Life. Caregiver Project II million in direct property tax relief 9. Creating Opportunities for through the State’s Property Tax Military Families: The Governor by Jan Smith Everyone from administration, credible price; Vicky Cumbow at and Greg Brown, Joan and Lou Credit Relief Fund, and over $596 is asking the Legislature to remove Tammy Lutter, Pastor Scott teachers, substitutes, rural, kitchen Flower Land donated all the bags to Johnson, Lisa Schneider, Anne and million from the newly enacted barriers that prevent military McClellen and myself reached out staff, and janitors. They received a put them in and ribbon to tie them, Dick Clark, Tim and Lila O’Keefe, LB 1107 refundable property tax spouses from taking jobs as teach- to the community a second time coffee cup telling them thank you the following gave cash donations Monte and Kathy Linaberry, Rusty to recognize all in the educational and how much we as a community to be used toward both Caregivers and Marsha Osburn. Skylar Reagle credit. Gov. Ricketts is also propos- ers. area. The ones who are going over appreciate them. Inside the mug Projects: Duane and Danita Kime, helped with filling the cups. ing roughly $214 million to provide 10. Broadband Connectivity: and above to keep the children in were several items: a much needed Sandhills State Bank, Valentine We appreciate everyone for for property tax payments under The Governor’s recommendations school as safe as possible. smiling face stress ball, candy, Bible Livestock, Thomas and Claire making this possible; because of the current homestead exemption include $40 million over the next Caregiver Project II included bookmark, etc. Lancaster, Matt and JJ Harvey, Dr. your generous donations this time program. two years to expand broadband deliveries to all the staff at the high Once again our community came Renee Taylor, Peggy and Lonnie we were able to give out over 190 4. Veterans Tax Relief: Last year, connectivity to 45,000 households. school, middle school, elementary through: Jo and her staff at Outback Snell, Neil and Callie Kreutner, Gail mugs to the ones who care about the Legislature voted unanimously The Governor delivered his State school, rural schools, Grace Lu- Screenprinting and Embroidery Redding, Deb and Eldon Reagle, the education of our children: as to exempt 50 percent of military of the State Address at the State theran and Zion Lutheran schools. ordered mugs and pens at an in- Rod and Betty Daugherty, Angie the mug says The City with Heart. retirement from state income taxa- Capitol in Lincoln at 10:00 a.m.; At tion. This year, the Unicameral will 11:30 a.m., His address was delivered consider increasing this exemption in Grand Island; at 2:00 p.m. at North to 100 percent to provide additional Platte; and the final address at 3:15 President Trump signs bill to rename veterans tax relief. The Governor’s p.m., in Scottsbluff. Homestead National Monument into Law Washington, D.C. - The Nebraska was signed into law by President a look into our past. Renaming this are rightfully proud of our role in Cork Thornton Memorial Ice congressional delegation released Trump on Wednesday, January 13. facility to more accurately reflect settling the great plains, and I look the following statements after leg- “Nebraskans have always been this location gives a clearer picture forward to seeing the future success islation renaming Homestead Na- defined by hard work and grit. Our of the opportunities and hands-on of this National Historical Park.” Fishing Tourney date changed tional Monument in Gage County, ancestors who lived and worked learning experience available,” “Nebraska is forever linked as Homestead National Historical on the prairie endured a whole lot, said Rep. Smith. “Our state has a to our homesteading ancestors, The Cork Thornton Memo- will be returned back to you. Park was signed into law. Sen. Ben and the Homestead National His- rich history and learning about it who populated this country and rial Ice Fishing Tournament has Rules meeting and calcutta will Sasse (R-NE) introduced the bill, toric Park will teach this history to has never been easier thanks to in- imparted to future generations a been officially pushed back to still be held at the Rosebud Casino S. 1910, with support from Sen. Americans for decades. I am glad novative projects such as this one. I lasting spirit of courage, tenacity, Saturday, February 20, 2021, due Friday, February 19 with check-ins Deb Fischer (R-NE). The House to see this change more accurately thank everyone involved in this ef- and achievement. Homestead cel- to unforeseen winds and unsafe starting at 4:00 p.m. companion bill, H.R.1472, was reflect our history and I am tre- fort, particularly Friends of Home- ebrates the spirit of those hardy, ice conditions. The Dave Genz seminar and the introduced by Rep. Adrian Smith mendously proud to have worked stead, Congressman Fortenberry visionary individuals who under- Any team that is currently use of 4-wheelers is unknown at (NE-03) with support from Reps. alongside Congressman Smith to for drafting the first version of this stood the appeal of life on the Great signed up to fish, but can’t make the this time. Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01) and Don get this done," said Senator Sasse. bill when Homestead was located new tournament date, a full refund Bacon (NE-02). The bill passed the “Places like the Homestead in the First District, and Senator House in November 2019, passed National Historical Park bring Sasse for his efforts to move this Continued on back page the Senate in December 2020, and American history alive and allow us through the Senate. Nebraskans Cherry County 4-H NCAP Community Cares 8 What’s inside Virtual Achievement Opinion/Commentary .............. 2 Sports .............................. 5, 6, 7 extends food distribution Family and Health ................... 3 Legal Notices.................. 8, 9, 10 Celebration Church .................................... 4 Classifieds ............................