Political News

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.

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Supreme Court Asked To Bar Punishment For Acquitted Conduct

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 12/30/2022 - 5:00am

WASHINGTON (AP) — A jury convicted Dayonta McClinton of robbing a CVS pharmacy but acquitted him of murder. A judge gave McClinton an extra 13 years in prison for the killing anyway.

In courtrooms across America, defendants get additional prison time for crimes that juries found they didn’t commit.

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Nebraska State Troopers To Get 22% Raises Under ‘Historic,’ New Labor Contract

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 12/26/2022 - 5:00am

LINCOLN — The state troopers union and incoming Gov. Jim Pillen have agreed to a new labor contract granting 22% raises in the first year for the state’s top law enforcement agency.

The raises, announced Wednesday, come after the Nebraska State Patrol’s wages for its uniformed troopers had slipped compared to other law enforcement agencies, and as the Patrol struggles with a shortage of about 60 troopers.

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The Cost Of Low Pay: The $12,000 Salary Is Warping The Nebraska Legislature

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 12/26/2022 - 4:00am

Third-party ads that targeted state Sen. Tony Vargas during his recent run for U.S. Congress featured incredulous voices, baffled over a seemingly selfish move: He wanted to “double his own salary” with taxpayer money.

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Ballard Appointed To Legislature

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 12/26/2022 - 3:00am

Gov. Pete Ricketts held a press conference Dec. 22 to announce the appointment of Beau Ballard of Lincoln as the next representative for District 21 in the Nebraska Legislature.

Ballard, a former legislative aide and small business owner, will be sworn in at the start of the 2023 legislative session on Jan. 4 to complete the final two years of Lincoln Sen. Mike Hilgers’ term.

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Zelenskyy Pledges A Fight For ‘Common Victory’ Against Russian Tyranny In Visit To U.S.

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 12/26/2022 - 2:00am

WASHINGTON — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy evoked images of the “great American soldiers” of World War II as he appealed to Congress Wednesday night to continue U.S. assistance in defending Ukraine from deadly Russian shelling and targeting of civilian infrastructure.

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What The Criminal Referral Of Trump Means – A Constitutional Law Expert Explains The Jan. 6 Committee Action

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 12/23/2022 - 4:00am

After 18 months investigating, the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol held its final public meeting on Dec. 19, 2022. The panel recommended that the U.S. Department of Justice bring criminal charges against former President Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

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Voters Embraced Affordable Housing Initiatives. Advocates Say Congress Should Do The Same.

Published by Nikki Palmer on Thu, 12/22/2022 - 4:00am

Voters in Colorado approved a statewide affordable housing initiative in November; while voters in nine cities across the country OK’d measures to finance the construction of affordable housing, preserve existing rental properties and support renters. But as housing costs soar, analysts and advocates say more needs to be done and argue that federal action is needed.

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Groups Write Letter, Urging Nebraska Congressional Delegation To Back Immigration Changes

Published by Nikki Palmer on Tue, 12/20/2022 - 1:00am

OMAHA — Nebraskans representing business, education, health and more joined in sending a letter this week to the state’s congressional delegation that urges immediate action for immigration reform.

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U.S. House And Senate GOP At Odds Over Massive Government Spending Deal

Published by Nikki Palmer on Mon, 12/19/2022 - 5:00am

WASHINGTON — Congress is trying to wrap up its remaining must-pass bills before leaving for the holidays — but a split between Senate Republican and House GOP leaders could hamstring the all-important task of funding government operations and averting a partial shutdown.