Image from horseclipart.com As with any other very important issue of public policy, it is necessary to consider the potential biases and interests of the parties who make assertions or advocate for particular outcomes when you begin to inform yourself about each of the various proposals to solve the problems presented by collective bargaining by [...]
Indiana House Democrats have apparently joined their Wisconsin brothers “on the lam.” They’ve fled their state to avoid voting on several bills their party characterizes as “anti-union”, including a bill that would make Indiana a “right to work” state. Right to work states do not require employees to join a union when their workplace is [...]
As events have continued to unfold in Wisconsin this week surrounding legislation that would do away with collective bargaining between government entities and public employees in determining benefits, I have surveyed some of the news coverage. Among the more fascinating reports I watched or read included a woman holding a sign that said, “I’d rather [...]
Norlyn wrote an excellent explanation about his impressions of Nebraska’s legislative process following time spent at the State Capitol this past Monday. The visit was motivated by concern about the issues associated with the CIR and the nine bills scheduled to be heard that day. Norlyn’s article is very well written and an unfortunately accurate [...]
For the past week, we’ve been advocating for passage of two legislative measures introduced by Nebraska State Senator John Nelson; LB664 and LR29CA. Both measures would prohibit collective bargaining by the State with public employees; LB664 would repeal certain Nebraska laws that provide for the practice and LR29CA would give Nebraskans an opportunity to vote [...]
As we reported on Wednesday, there are a number of bills that have been introduced in the Legislature regarding the entity that is dominating the cost of employing government workers at the State, County, and local levels in Nebraska, the CIR (Commission of Industrial Relations). In that article, we detailed what the CIR is, how [...]
Nebraska’s government budgets are hurting most everywhere, but particularly in the State’s two largest cities. Enough fed up Omahans were paying attention when taxes were raised recently, that it kicked off a drive to recall Mayor Jim Suttle and resulted in a rare recall election. (Suttle appears to have narrowly escaped removal Tuesday). Omahans’ taxes [...]