Nebraska is Essentially a One Party State

Editor’s Note: This is the seventh article in a series about Nebraska politics, particularly as pertains to the Nebraska Republican Party and closely connected groups and their relationship to the “tea party movement”. We recommend starting with the article “Nebraska’s Ruling Class and the Perils of (Assisted) Political Suicide” which includes links to all other… more

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NEGOP Tried to Capitalize on Grassroots Candidate Loss & CIR Reform Failure

Updated Editor’s Note: This is the sixth article in a series about Nebraska politics, particularly as pertains to the Nebraska Republican Party and closely connected groups and their relationship to the “tea party movement”. We recommend starting with the article “Nebraska’s Ruling Class and the Perils of (Assisted) Political Suicide” which includes links to all… more

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A More Perfect Union: Obama Labor Day Love (& Hate) Fest

I would really like to thank the President for helping to tee up this article for me. I was busy this weekend and I was trying to figure out how to bring my disparate thoughts about Labor Day together in this article. Thank you, Mr. President, for… Participating in an event organized by labor unions… more

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Are the Elected Officials of Nebraska Dealing with Reality?

As we complete our analysis of the amendment introduced by Business and Labor Committee Chair, Senator Steve Lathrop, what we’ve found in it during the first full sweep makes us ask the question… Where are our elected officials’ heads? Apparently, Senator Lathrop, and his “working group”, all see the world far differently from that which [...]

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Collective Bargaining (CIR) Shell Bill Hearing WEDNESDAY April 13

  Since the February 7 Business and Labor Committee hearing, those interested in the issue of collective bargaining and CIR (Commission on Industrial Relations) have been waiting for the contents of the shell bill introduced by Committee Chair Steve Lathrop at the beginning of the legislative session. At the end of March, details began, finally, [...]

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Hearing Testimony: Collective Bargaining By NE Govt Obstructs Spending Caps (CIR)

Monday the Nebraska Legislature’s Business and Labor  Committee convened hearings on the nine measures that propose various changes to the State’s statutes pertaining to how public employee salaries, wages, and some benefits are determined. The whole issue is being commonly referenced as “the CIR”, which is the entity that has the authority to settle disputes [...]

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Important Informaton on CIR Hearings for Monday Feb 7!

All nine pieces of legislation pertaining to Nebraska’s Industrial Relations and State Employee Collective Bargaining Acts, and therefore, of course, the CIR (Commission of Industrial Relations) are scheduled for hearings tomorrow, Monday, February 7, before the Legislature’s Business and Labor Committee. It is very important that Nebraskans let our legislators know where we stand; personnel [...]

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NOT Suprising: Public Support Growing for Ending Collective Bargaining by Public Employees

Nebraska Senator John Nelson was a guest on DriveTime Lincoln on Wednesday to discuss measures he has introduced in the Legislature aimed at repealing the Industrial Relations and State Employee Collective Bargaining Acts and prohibiting collective bargaining by government entities in Nebraska. Since the Commission of Industrial Relations (CIR) is part of the Industrial Relations [...]

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NE Public Employee Pay, Benefits: Even the Journal Star Sees Need for Reform

By Shelli Dawdy GiN is frequently at odds with the Lincoln Journal Star’s editorial board, but for once we agree. Nebraska’s municipalities, counties, and the State simply cannot afford the status quo regarding how public employees’ salaries and benefits are determined. In an editorial published December 16, Lincoln Journal Star cited the recent raises granted [...]

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