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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GiN Press Release: Proponents of Collective Bargaining Reform to Counter-Rally Saturday at the State Capitol

Additional information and details about the rally can be found HERE. _______________________________________ To download and print this release in PDF form, click HERE. For interviews contact: Shelli Dawdy E-mail: Please use our media contact form, located HERE F  O  R       I  M  M  E  D  I  A  T  E        R  E  L  E  A  S  [...]

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Collective Bargaining Advocates Protect Their Own: Who Protects Taxpayers?

As we previously noted, On February 10, 2010, the Lincoln Journal Star published a Local View Column by Norlyn Raisch entitled “Laws and Sausages“. Norlyn’s article is a well written and accurate description of the hearings held on February 7 by the Legislature’s Business and Labor Committee for nine pieces of legislation associated with collective [...]

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Too Many Opponents of Collective Bargaining Reform (CIR) in Nebraska Have a Horse in the Race

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 [...]

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More Democrats on the Lam! Running From Another Union Bill

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 [...]

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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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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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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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