Fischer holds listening session in Sidney

Senator Deb Fischer visited with a dozen Sidney area residents at the Coffee Corner Monday afternoon, giving them an update on key activities on Capitol Hill and hearing concerns from those in attendance.

Sen. Fischer turned to a practice she developed when she served in the Nebraska Legislature, telling those in the gathering that while she would review legislative issues, her main focus was for the gathering to be a "listening session," preferring to hear constituents' concerns.

Farm prices and related tax concerns were large on the minds of those attending, taking up the largest amount of time.

"Farm income doesn't meet costs," said local farmer Steve Olson.

The related Farm Bill, its provisions and whether it meets needs were discussed, and Sen. Fischer said so far legislatures have been able to stave off recent attempts to re-open the bill and change its provisions.

Questions arose on the possibility of splitting the Farm Bill away from attached nutrition programs, which account for the vast majority of the bill's costs.

Sen. Fischer said it would be unwise to make such an attempt. Such an attempt was made during the process of approving the current Farm Bill, and because rural districts have less representation, the risk is that if such a split is made, there might not be enough support for the farm-related portions to pass.

Sen. Fischer said one step rural areas can take as they seek solutions is to develop a better message.

"Anybody connected with agriculture needs to get better with getting their message out there," she said. "Instead, we seem to be on the defensive all the time."

As for Senate work, one of the highlights Sen. Fischer outlines was the new education bill that helps bring back local control to schools. She said the No Child Left Behind Program, which was largely unpopular in Nebraska, was a good example of needing more local control over classrooms.

Sen. Fischer said in seeking solutions for problems in the education section, she reached out to leaders in Nebraska to find common sense ideas that resulted in successful amendments.

When queried about both individual and senate feelings about the GOP's presidential nominee, Sen. Fischer said "I support Mr. Trump," and related many of her Senate party colleagues do as well.

Sen. Fischer's Sidney stop was one of the last she will make before taking a short time with family prior to heading back to Capitol Hill.

In an interview with the Sun-Telegraph afterward, she said as she has covered the state, the economy, jobs and healthcare have led the list of constituents' concerns.

Regulations' affects on the economy was an example she used, saying common sense in regulation has been big. She said she has heard a lot about how regulations have affected not only family businesses, but also all citizens.

One surprising example the senator said she was recently given was from a home builder, who told her approximately 25 percent of the cost involved was due to regulations.

More information about Sen. Fischer can be seen on her Website, http://www.fischer.senate.gov. Contact information for her Washington, D.C. office is: Senator Deb Fischer, 454 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510. That office phone number is (202) 224-6551.

Sen. Fischer also has satellite offices in Nebraska. The closest is 1110 Circle Drive, Suite F2, Scottsbluff, NE, 69361. The phone number is (308) 630-2329.