Political News

Nebraska Lawmakers Put Off Vote On 'Heartbeat' Abortion Ban

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 02/06/2023 - 2:00am

Hundreds of people crowded the Nebraska State Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Lincoln. Neb., to protest a so-called heartbeat bill that would outlaw abortion at a point before many women even know they’re pregnant. The bill, which was before the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday, would ban abortions once cardiac activity can be detected in a embryo, which is generally around the sixth week of pregnancy. (Margery A. Beck / AP Photo)

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee took nearly eight hours of testimony Wednesday before adjourning without a vote on whether to advance a bill that would outlaw abortion at a point before many women know they're pregnant.

Hundreds of people crowded the halls of the state Capitol for a committee hearing on a so-called heartbeat bill.

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Nebraska Lawmakers, Health Care Organizations Praise, Criticize Pillen’s State Of The State

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 01/30/2023 - 5:00am

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen delivers his State of the State on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, at the state Capitol in Lincoln, Neb. (Anna Reed / Omaha World-Herald via AP Photo)

LINCOLN — State senators, nonprofits and local organizations expressed glee but caution last Wednesday with Gov. Jim Pillen’s outlined priorities in his State of the State address.

Much of Pillen’s address expanded upon his budget recommendations, which have been introduced in legislation by Speaker John Arch of La Vista and offered a vision for Nebraska’s trajectory.

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U.S. Hits Debt Limit And Treasury Department Begins ‘Extraordinary Measures’

Published by Nikki Palmer on Tue, 01/24/2023 - 1:00am

WASHINGTON — The nation reached its debt limit last Thursday, beginning the uncertain process known as extraordinary measures, in which the U.S. Treasury Department uses accounting maneuvers to avoid defaulting on the debt.

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Former Police Officers Signal Systemic Issues Within Lincoln Police And Fire Departments

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 01/23/2023 - 5:00am

Nine former members of the Lincoln Police and Fire departments have come forward to speak about the systemic abuse they saw and experienced within their departments. In partnership with the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, they are in talks to bring legal action against their departments in the hopes of instilling lasting change and making sure that the Police and Fire departments are made accountable for their actions. (Shutterstock)

LINCOLN – Nine individuals have stepped forward to confront the toxic culture that persists inside the Lincoln Police and Fire Departments. After speaking out against the systemic abuse and receiving retaliation from their departments, seven police officers and two firefighters have come together to bring light to the pervasive problems in Lincoln.

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Pillen Touts ‘Historic’ Package Of Tax Cuts, Saying ‘We Have To Compete Better’ With Other States

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 01/23/2023 - 4:00am

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen unveiled a package of proposed tax cuts last Wednesday that he labeled as “historic” and making Nebraska more competitive with other states.

The package includes a gradual reduction in state personal and corporate income tax rates to a flat, 3.99% — which mirrors the rate recently adopted in Iowa — and a shift in the funding of community colleges off property taxes.

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Pillen, As Expected, Taps Former Gov. Pete Ricketts To Succeed Sasse In Senate

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 01/16/2023 - 5:00am

Governor Jim Pillen, left, announces the appointment of former governor Pete Ricketts, right, to Nebraska’s open senate seat, on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. The vacancy, left open by the departure of Ben Sasse, has been expected to go to Ricketts after his departure from the governorship last year. (Kenneth Ferriera / Lincoln Journal Star via AP Photo)

LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen made the expected choice Thursday, appointing his predecessor, Pete Ricketts, to the U.S. Senate.

Ricketts, who finished his second term as governor last week, fills the seat that Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., vacated Sunday to lead the University of Florida.

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Nebraska Anti-Abortion Senators Proposing ‘Heartbeat’ Bill

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 01/16/2023 - 4:00am

LINCOLN — Nebraskans would have about six weeks, and in many practical instances less, to decide on ending a pregnancy, instead of the current 20 weeks, under legislation anti-abortion senators plan to propose this session.

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Governor Pillen Declares January “Human Trafficking Awareness Month”

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 01/16/2023 - 3:00am

LINCOLN, NE – On January 10, Governor Jim Pillen was joined by Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly, Attorney General Mike Hilgers, and State Patrol Superintendent Colonel John Bolduc for the signing of a proclamation declaring January "Human Trafficking Awareness Month." The event highlighted Nebraska's efforts in the last year to combat human trafficking in Nebraska including the adoption of a new human trafficking hotline from the State Patrol and the Attorney General's 2022 Human Trafficking Report.

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Leadership Selections

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 01/09/2023 - 5:00am

Banking, Commerce and Insurance: Julie Slama, Sterling

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Nebraska State Senators Elect New Leaders On Day 1, Put Off Fight Over Secret Ballot Voting

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 01/09/2023 - 5:00am

Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican, left, swears in the new senators for 2023, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. (Kenneth Ferriera / Lincoln Journal Star via AP Photo)

LINCOLN — State senators put off until later a fight over legislative rules, then spent the first day of the 2023 session on Wednesday electing a new speaker and leaders of legislative committees.

The day opened with the possibility of a session-paralyzing debate over whether a tradition of electing chairs of legislative committees by secret ballot should be changed to an open vote.