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.

Pillen still plugging for property tax relief, despite defeat of initial plan

Let’s face it, Nebraska has high property taxes, the seventh highest in the country according to the Tax Foundation, which tracks such things.“Lots of land, not a lot of people,” has always been the catchphrase, which translates into a higher burden of property taxes.

Talking Husker projects

One of the great, unsolved mysteries in the state has been why the beloved Trev Alberts left his alma mater to become athletic director at Texas A&M.

Buckle up & enjoy the ride

Welcome to a new corner of your newspaper.For years, this column has been called “Capitol View” and for the past several years, it’s been written by J.L. Schmidt, an old buddy and former Associated Press reporter at the Lincoln Bureau who could turn a phrase or two.