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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Nullification: Are States Sitting Ducks or Willing Accomplices?

This is Part 5 in an ongoing series about the concept of nullification by states; the idea that individual states can declare a federal law or regulation unconstitutional, and therefore, refuse to implement it. See FOOTNOTE section for links to Parts 1 – 4 and additional supporting information.1 (See the far right sidebar for making [...]

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Nullification: Are State Level Officials Really Opposed to Federal Encroachment?

This is Part 4 in an ongoing series about a the concept of nullification by states; the idea that individual states can declare a federal law or regulation unconstitutional and, therefore, refuse to implement it. See FOOTNOTE section for links to Parts 1 -3 and additional supporting information. 1  My prior opinion, that nullification is a [...]

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Nullification Measures Not Stopping Health Care Implementation (Think Idaho)

This is an ongoing series about the issue of nullification. For Part 1, click HERE. For Part 2, click HERE. Idaho may be the best example of an action by a state to nullify the health care law. Both houses of the State Legislature passed and Governor Otter signed into law a measure which many [...]

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History Has Proven Nullification a Failure – Just Look at REAL ID

This is Part 2 in a continuing series on nullification. For Part 1, click HERE. In Part 1, I explained that in the past year, I’ve come to realize that nullification is not a solution that should be pursued by the states. That change of opinion, the result of much research and reflection, includes a [...]

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Nullification NOT the Answer for Health Care (or anything else)

This is the first installment in a series about nullification. On March 21, 2010 – I stood on an improvised stage (the back of a pickup truck) located between the State Capitol and the Governor’s mansion at GiN’s flash rally “Kill or Nullify the Bill!”. Throughout the preceding two week period, it had become clear [...]

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Collective Bargaining Bills Make Bad Political Theater at the Unicam (CIR)

Anyone in the mood to see a play? Well, just go down to the Unicameral and take a seat in the gallery. No need to buy a ticket. You see, if you pay taxes, you’ve already reserved your seat for this production. What’s playing? Ever heard of Waiting for Godot? It’s an absurdist play by [...]

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Wisconsin Legislation: Union Busting or Common Sense?

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 [...]

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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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