Political News

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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Gabby Giffords’ Gun Safety Group Names New Director With Women And 2024 In Mind

Published by jason@omahadail... on Sun, 01/22/2023 - 5:00am

In news shared exclusively with The 19th, GIFFORDS, the gun safety advocacy organization founded by former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, has named veteran campaign manager Emma Brown as its new executive director. The group recently marked its 10-year anniversary, and as the 2024 races shape up it is looking to connect with purple- and red-state voters around gun safety and gun violence prevention.

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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.

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Biden Toughens Border, Offers Legal Path For 30,000 A Month

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 01/09/2023 - 3:00am

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday the U.S. would immediately begin turning away Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans who cross the border from Mexico illegally, his boldest move yet to confront the arrivals of migrants that have spiraled since he took office two years ago.

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Two Recent Polls Found Majority Of Nebraska Respondents Oppose More Abortion Restrictions

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 01/02/2023 - 3:00am

LINCOLN — Two recent polls found that a majority of respondents were opposed to adding more restrictions to abortion rights in Nebraska.

One poll, released Wednesday by the ACLU of Nebraska, found that 59% of 604 registered voters polled in mid-November either “somewhat opposed” or “strongly opposed” the enactment of “more restrictive abortion bans” in the state.

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Q&A With Gov.-Elect Jim Pillen: Taxes, School Finance Top Legislative Priority List

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 01/02/2023 - 12:00am

LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov.-elect Jim Pillen says he wants to work with the Legislature to knock some sense into the state’s property taxes, income taxes and school finance.

Pillen, who takes office Jan. 5, detailed the top priorities for his first legislative session during a Dec. 21 interview with the Nebraska Examiner in his transition office at the Capitol.