Nebraskans for Peace

The tax bill is up for debate today in the Nebraska Legislature's special session. You can watch it here:

Legislative Morning Session Nebraska Legislative Session

This Saturday

Nebraskans for Peace’s statement on the Nebraska Legislature’s Special Session, called by Governor Jim Pillen:

In 1967 Nebraska adopted a 3 legged stool to finance state and local government to serve the people of Nebraska. The 3 primary revenue sources were an income tax, a sales tax and a tax on property. Sales and income tax are for the most part paid directly to the state of Nebraska for statewide infrastructure and administration of state government. Most property tax is to fund local government [cities,county K-12 public education]. Initially the intent of 3 revenue sources was to raise equal revenues and some of the sales and income tax was used to supplement state aid to local subdivisions. At the time of implementation there was much opposition, especially from the business community and chamber of commerce to these new taxes. Norbert Tiemann, a Republican, was elected governor in 1966 for a 4 year term. Previously, governors were elected for two year terms. He supported these tax reforms to help equalize the tax obligation.

Governor Thiemann was defeated in 1970 primarily by the business community influence. James Exon was elected but did continue the plan with some tweaks.

Over the next 55 years the Nebraska tax system was tweaked the most during economic downturns by cutting state aid to the local government subdivisions [cities, county and public education] and in order to maintain government services these subdivisions were forced to rely more on property tax. During these years the wealth began to accumulate into fewer hands, primarily by legislative actions that cut income tax rates and provided tax credits to large businesses. The result was that wealth began to be subsidized as the book Poverty by America describes. [Last winter's NFP book study] .

Business interests have pitted states against each other by demanding tax incentives and lower income tax rates. Neighboring states like South Dakota and Wyoming have no state income tax, as they have other revenue sources (coal, tourism). Income tax remains the fairest and most just tax based on the ability to pay.

Another contributing factor to the over reliance on property tax is that wealthy outside investors have driven up the price of real estate. Initiative 300, which was added to the Nebraska Constitution in 1982 by a vote of the people, prohibited outside corporate interests from owning farmland. Initiative 300 was thrown out by the courts in 2005 which has allowed outside interests to now own and finance land purchases.

The adage that “ to whom much is given, much is required” should apply in our economic democracy, if it is to thrive.

Gathering Tuesday evening on the bank of Holmes Lake in Lincoln, lanterns were launched to commemorate the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan and remember those lives lost 79 years ago as well as those affected before and since by nuclear weapons. Nebraskans for Peace held its 41st Annual Lantern Float this year in partnership with the Unitarian Church of Lincoln, NE.

Nuclear War Expert: LIFE 1 Week After The Bomb | Ivana Hughes 🏞️ Sign up to Camp for exclusive updates: https://camp.beehiiv.com/Nuclear Expert Ivana Hughes is President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and a Senio...

The Pentagon is now carrying out a $2 trillion, multiyear plan to build new nuclear-armed missile, bombers, and submarines. That means increasing the risk of a disastrous exchange of nuclear attacks — but it’s great business for major weapons contractors.

The US Keeps Pouring Money Into Nuclear Weapons The Pentagon is now carrying out a $2 trillion, multiyear plan to build new nuclear-armed missiles, bombers, and submarines. That means increasing the risk of a disastrous exchange of nuclear attacks — but it’s great business for major weapons contractors.

https://ujoin.co/campaigns/3205/actions/public?action_id=4081

Say NO on LB 2 For everyone to have access to the good life, we must ensure that our public systems work for Nebraskans. That's why it's essential to oppose budget cuts to Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that are currently being considered by the Nebraska Legislature. Right now the Legi...

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Drone war whistleblower Daniel Hale is FREE!!! He was released from federal prison to home confinement in February, more than a decade after his arrest for disclosing documents and speaking publicly about the limits and failures of U.S. drone warfare. An ankle monitor was attached to supervise his location at all times until the completion of his sentence on July 5. Thank you, Daniel!
Read more at http://www.nukeresister.org/2024/08/02/drone-war-whistleblower-daniel-hale-free/
(Photo posted on Twitter by the Daniel Hale Support Network)

Angie Zelter and Ginnie Herbert were arrested at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, England on July 20. It was the sixth day of a peace camp outside the base protesting the return of U.S. nuclear weapons to the U.K. After a rally, the women crossed the line onto the base to deliver a letter to the base commanders. They were soon taken into custody and released on bail almost 24 hours later.
More information at Angie Zelter and Ginnie Herbert were arrested at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, England on July 20. It was the sixth day of a peace camp outside the base protesting the return of U.S. nuclear weapons to the U.K. After a rally, the women crossed the line onto the base to deliver a letter to the base commanders. They were soon taken into custody and released on bail almost 24 hours later.
More information athttp://www.nukeresister.org/2024/08/01/two-women-arrested-at-usaf-lakenheath-protesting-the-return-of-u-s-nuclear-weapons-to-the-u-k/ and https://lakenheathallianceforpeace.org.uk/

Another day of tax hearings in the Nebraska Legislature's Special Session. Education, Natural Resources, and Revenue Committees begin morning. Judiciary Committee at 1:30. You can watch them all at

Watch Live Live streaming of the State of Nebraska Legislature, Courts, Governor's press conferences, along with Big Red Wrap-Up, Backyard Farmer, NSAA sports championships, and more!

Tax hearings continue today in the Nebraska Legislature. Revenue and Appropriations this morning. Executive Board at 12:00, General Affairs (gaming bills) at 1:30. Watch it all live at

Watch Live Live streaming of the State of Nebraska Legislature, Courts, Governor's press conferences, along with Big Red Wrap-Up, Backyard Farmer, NSAA sports championships, and more!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/7yEWVNXSZDNhKnu6/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Lawsuit targets Nebraska's defiance of law to restore voting rights to those with felony convictions The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska is suing top election officials’ defiance of state laws that restore the voting rights of those who’ve ever been convicted of a felony.

Day 2 of the legislature's special session tax hearings. They are debating several different bills in the Revenue, Appropriations and Government Committees. Listening to hearings on tax policies doesn't sound that exciting, I know, but the decisions made during this special session will have a huge impact on all Nebraskans.
You can see watch them at

Watch Live Live streaming of the State of Nebraska Legislature, Courts, Governor's press conferences, along with Big Red Wrap-Up, Backyard Farmer, NSAA sports championships, and more!

Nebraska Supreme Court upholds gender-affirming care, abortion restrictions The Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision affirming the constitutionality of a state law that bans abortions after 12 weeks gestation and restricts access to gender-affirming health care.

Nebraska Supreme Court upholds dismissal of Catholic priest's lawsuit against Omaha archdiocese The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s ruling to dismiss defamation and other claims for a Catholic priest accused of sexual misconduct against the Archdiocese of Omaha on Friday.

A history lesson by Dr. Kendi:

NEED A NUCLEAR RESISTER T-SHIRT?
Modeling this Nuclear Resister t-shirt is 82-year-old American Veteran for Peace Dennis DuVall, minutes before he entered Bautzen prison in Germany on July 22. He’s serving 90 days for nonviolent actions at Büchel air base in Germany, where U.S. nuclear weapons are stored. ☮️
You, too, can buy one of these t-shirts to wear! Heavy weight cotton available in medium, large and extra large. Only $20 plus $10 shipping! (Overseas shipping is very costly - inquire at nukeresisterigc.org)
Union made at the Gloo Factory. 💪
http://www.nukeresister.org/2023/02/27/buy-your-nuclear-resister-t-shirt-today/
And you can send a note of support to Dennis DuVall, JVA Bautzen, Breitscheid Str. 4, 02625 Bautzen, Germany.
(photo by Michelle Shiloh)

The special session of the Nebraska Legislature begins today at 10:00. You can watch it here:

Legislative Morning Session Nebraska Legislative Session

Honor the Victims of the Nuclear Age by Bringing It to an End | Common Dreams The devastating impact of nuclear weapons on human lives and the environment cannot be ignored. It is time for all nations to come together, take concrete steps toward nuclear disarmament, and ensure a future free from the threat of nuclear annihilation.

What should we plan to do in Nebraska during the week of action? Who wants to help plan and/or take part in some action?

📢PSA: From September 16 to 22 people all around the world are coming together with one clear message: It's time to divert public funds from nuclear weapons programmes to health care, education, disaster relief and other vital services!

Will you join us?⬇️ https://www.icanw.org/week_of_action #:~:text=That%20is%20why%2C%20from%20September,No%20Money%20for%20Nuclear%20Weapons!%E2%80%9D

Will a change at the top really matter? How will Harris be beholden to the pro-Israel lobby in their war on Gaza? Can she stop the slaughter? Will she?

Good news: a great resource for trans youth and their families here in Nebraska!

No one should have to travel long distances for medically necessary healthcare – but a ban on gender-affirming care in Nebraska and 24 other states forces trans youth and their families to do just that.

We’re proud to partner with Campaign for Southern Equality alongside ACLU of Nebraska on the Trans Youth Emergency project to support families in Nebraska, providing patient navigation services, emergency grants of $500, and more to support the families of trans youth in accessing out-of-state care.

Help us spread the word about this important program, and get support from TYEP here: https://southernequality.org/ne/

Join us Tonight for our July Community Meeting at 6PM
In-person or via Zoom

Zoom Meeting ID:
Meeting ID: 149-543-846
Passcode: 128128

UNO Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center
6001 Dodge Street
Omaha NE 68182
P: 402.554.6000 / F: 402.554.5904
Room 28

https://secure.everyaction.com/v85FohHQDUOHCo4fFdKXig2

Tell OPPD to Reduce Pollution Now OPPD is planning to make changes to their pollution policies this summer. Sign up to use your voice and show them that we want pollution reduction now!