If You’re Not At The Table, You’re On The Menu

by Liz Codina

“In 2008 all eyes were on the Latino vote. That year we had 19.5 million registered Latinos that were active to vote,” Miriam Peña, the executive director for the Colorado Progressive Coalition and Colorado Progressive Action, told an Omaha audience. Since then “in the 2012 all eyes were on the Latino vote because that number went up to 23.4 million eligible voters.”

On the evening of...

Public Hearing this Thursday on Election Commissioner Changes

by John Heaston

Senator Sara Howard's LB 235 will have its public hearing this Thursday, February 14th at 1:30 in the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee. This bill is in response to the polling place closures and lack of communication and accountability. It will (1) require an advisory committee to the election commissioner be formed in Douglas, Sarpy, and Lancaster County, (2) require notice...

A Second Opinion

by Kandra Hahn

Calculations for the cost of extending Medicaid in Nebraska as a critical piece of the Affordable Care Act have been incomplete and probably overstated, said experts at committee hearings of the Nebraska Legislature last week.

No voice in Nebraska has spoken louder against the Medicaid extension than Governor Dave Heineman’s, saying it would cost “hundreds of millions of dollars” and “lead to...

The Missing Argument

by Kandra Hahn

As federal deficits were the rage in the recent presidential election and both major political parties jockey for negotiating position ahead of the 2013 fiscal cliff, Nebraska’s tax projections took a positive turn. According to a new public policy institute, however, Nebraska is only having half the conversation it needs on taxes and budgets.

According to the Nebraska Economic Forecasting...

2012 Endorsements

by STAFF

With 1,457 members according to its website, Voice Omaha is blazing a path for civic participation outside the normal two-party political system. They have notched a considerable political gain with their recent work on Omaha’s Equal Rights ordinance. The group’s mission is to be non-partisan and dedicated to creating a more inclusive, just, transparent, sustainable and culturally vibrant Omaha...

The Company Phipps Keeps

by John Heaston

How important could Douglas County be in next week’s election?

According to the New York Times “538 Blog,” there are 152 scenarios that could result in an electoral college tie in this year’s presidential election, effectively allowing the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to choose the next President.

The chances are slim, but they increase as the race tightens, raising...

Obamacare in Nebraska

by Sean McGuire

It is hard to quantify what the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the largest piece of legislation passed in our lifetime is going to mean for Nebraska and Omaha.  There are innumerable variables to consider, and questions will remain years from now.  The Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly called Obamacare, will have an impact on all of us, so here are a few things to watch closely.

The law...

Dave Phipps takes show to the voters

by Kietryn Zychal