Safeguards, oversight ensures elections are fair and accurate

Over the years, I’ve covered a few elections — probably more than I’d like to remember.Back in the day, we didn’t get the wall-to-wall commercials slinging mud or the daily update on what the polls say.

Spending in Fischer-Osborn race says something about the views of the candidates

Labels in politics are a tricky thing, particularly in Nebraska.If you’re a “Republican,” do you align with the wing of the party that identifies with former governor and U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts? Or do you roll with the new GOP, the group that tossed out Ricketts’ loyalists?

Voters will get to choose whether to revoke state vouchers to attend private and parochial schools

Nebraskans will vote on six ballot issues during this fall’s general election, including two initiatives to legalize medical cannabis.

Nebraska’s ‘blue dot’ captures national headlines, last-minute push to erase it

Nebraska doesn’t get many national headlines about politics, but a recent, last-minute push by major Republicans to get the state to ditch its unique system of awarding electoral votes for president did just that.Former President Donald Trump and leading GOP Sen.

Pillen names advocate for banning books to State Library Board, ruffling feathers

The State of Nebraska has more than 200 boards and commissions staffed by professionals and regular citizens.

Pick of Nebraska native as vice presidential candidate revs up interest in vote here

Nebraska isn’t known as a battleground state when it comes to presidential elections.That tag usually goes to Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan, along with Georgia, Nevada and Arizona.But the recent pick of Nebraska native and Minnesota Gov.

Summertime, and living isn’t so easy at the Capitol

Summer is usually a relaxing time in Lincoln.College students have left, state lawmakers have gone home, the weather gets hot, the backyard tomatoes get ripe, and the biggest debate around town is whether this is the year the Huskers become relevant again in football.

State lawmakers head back to Lincoln for long-shot bid to cut property taxes

By the time you read this, state senators are expected to be trudging back to Lincoln for a special session on property tax relief.

Legislative gymnastics getting a tad elaborate to pass controversial bills

“When there’s a will, there’s a way.”That was a phrase that surfaced regularly at the end of state legislative sessions. It referred to the hope that bills that appeared dead might be resurrected.

Property tax trial balloon calls for state takeover of funding

Back in the day, a small, “trial balloon” would be sent aloft to discern wind speed and direction before a balloon carrying people was launched.Folks were rightly concerned about rising into the heavens blindly, without knowing if a catastrophic whirlwind was aloft.