Alaska Governor: No Health Care Law in AK – WHAT About Nebraska???

As we reported on February 1, Federal District Court Judge Roger Vinson issued an opinion in the multi-state Attorneys General lawsuit on January 31, declaring the health care law unconstitutional. Since the ruling came out, many question whether any further activities associated with implementing the law should proceed.  Others conclude the states should move “full [...]

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Budget Buster Fix: Prohibit Collective Bargaining By Public Employees

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 [...]

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Jon Bruning Announces Bid For Senate – We Should Listen To Our Mommas

What seems like five minutes after Tuesday’s election, we heard from newly re-elected Governor Dave Heineman that he was not interested in running for the United States Senate seat currently held by Ben Nelson that will be up for re-election in 2012. Certainly, considering the almost continuous sparring between the Governor and Senator Nelson over [...]

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ACTION ALERT: YOU Can Do Something About That Health Care Law

By Shelli Dawdy UPDATE: This article is generating a lot of interest and of course that is a very good thing. I am concerned, however, that people from other states may be disappointed when they discover the fact this is a particular call to Nebraskans to act. For those who ARE from outside NE, I [...]

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Nebraska Deem & Pass? LB 1110 Proved Shenanigans Not Limited to D.C.

Posted by Shellinda: As a couple of Americans who have spent too much time focused on Washington, D.C. and not enough within our state (but making an effort to change this), we wonder whether the maneuvers regarding a certain piece of legislation introduced last session is common practice in the Nebraska Unicameral. We suspect it [...]

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NE Budget: Senators Hope Feds Will Bail Us Out

In late June, Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, Mike Flood, convened an Ad Hoc Committee meeting that is part of the special LR 542 process to deal with the projected 2011 - 2013 budget shortfall. It seems as if our legislature is too eager to accept federal money and federal strings.

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Federal Funding Tap Dance: Are States Puppets Or Partners?

When considering how to get out of the way of the growing red ink tsunami gushing out of D.C., one of the first questions that comes to mind is what states can do about it. Many federal programs could be rejected by states, but they aren't. Obviously, they want the money. Prior governors and legislators have opted to accept federal funds in an effort to tout how much they accomplish while in office, handing the strings and increased obligations to the next set of officials.

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ACTION ALERT: State Budget Meeting at Capitol Tuesday June 29

Requesting Action From Nebraskans Concerned about State Spending and Taxes Tuesday, June 29 Legislative Budget Meeting 9am State Capitol, Room 1113 1445 K St., Lincoln There will be a legislative committee meeting led by Speaker Mike Flood regarding the projected state budget shortfall Tuesday, June 29. We are asking all who are concerned about the budget shortfall and taxation who [...]

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