It’s an early Roundup today because the Bold staff is off to build a playground in Hastings. Keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook feeds for pictures. Here’s the essential news for your morning.
That’s Justice Elena Kagan to you: Voting mostly along party lines, the Senate confirmed Elena Kagan’s ascension to the Supreme Court. For the first time in history three women will be sitting on the high court’s bench simultaneously. View Here
Medicare’s Death Panel Says it can live a little longer: Government actuaries said Medicare can remain solvent until 2029. Health Care reform gave the program another 12 years. And Social Security’s looking good all the way to 2037. Must be all that fiber. View Here
TransCanada’s Latest Move: The oil company that wants to build another oil pipeline through Nebraska withdrew a request for a special waiver that would allow them to pump at a higher pressure with thinner pipes. We’re proceeding cautiously and urge you to keep up your opposition work. View Here
Thursday, August 5th
Yesterday was Obama’s birthday, and we did nothing to celebrate. We apologize to all the disappointed conservatives for not living up to their claims that we’re just a “cult of personality.” We can’t all be so easily caricatured. Here’s your Roundup:
It’s a great day to be LGBT: History was made yesterday in California when federal Judge Vaughn Walker declared that Proposition 8, the ballot initiative that banned same sex marriage in CA, was unconstitutional. You can expect that the case will be appealed to the Supreme Court, but yesterday was a concrete step towards equality in this country. View Here
Heineman Ignores Reality: In classic Heineman fashion, the Governor has told press that he is seriously considering implementing an immigration law like Arizona’s. And don’t try to remind him that Arizona and Fremont are tied up in costly legal battles. The man’s got a $751 million budget shortfall to worry about. View Here
Pelosi Tweets: “I will be calling the House back into session early next week to save teachers’ jobs and help seniors & children #FMAP.” That means representatives’ August Recess is being cut short. Less time for us to spend with our Three Amigos. View Here
Trackers are People Too: Politico does a lengthy story on the explosion of trackers this election season. Even the National Republican Senatorial Committee is using them which — excuse me, there’s a commotion in my kitchen. The pot and kettle are at it again. View Here
Wednesday, August 4th
Today is definitely all about the Senate. August recess is right around the corner, and legislators in DC are working to wrap up loose ends before the long break and November elections. Here’s your Roundup.
NPR Explores Our Oil Attention Span: NPR dares to ask if there have been more oil spills of late or are we just paying more attention. Oil spills may have decreased in the past few years, but riskier extraction methods may halt that trend. We’re looking at you Alberta tar sands. View Here
Prop 8 Decision Today: Prop 8 was the ballot proposition in California that banned same sex marriage from the state when it passed in 2008. Obviously, lawsuits were filed and the case was argued in front of a federal judge in January this year. The results of that case will be announced today. ProgressNow affiliates from the Courage Campaign have everything you need to know. View Here
Senate Votes on FMAP: Just this morning the Senate voted to end debate on a bill that would provide funding for FMAP (Federal Medical Assistance Percentages). The Senate bill would help states pay for Medicaid and prevent teacher layoffs. The bill is paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes and rolling back funding for food stamps. Nelson voted yes, Johanns no. View Here
Energy Bill is Always the Bridesmaid: Energy legislation from the Senate is halted once again. Now the Senate won’t vote on an energy bill until after the August recess. The latest bill is a reaction to the BP spill and would lift the cap on liabilities oil companies would pay after a disaster. View Here
Tuesday, August 3rd
Happy Tuesday everyone. In case you didn’t know, the first week in August is National Clown Week. Apparently Richard Nixon felt particularly beholden to the clown lobby that swept him into office. Here’s your roundup:
KETV Digs Deep on the Pipeline: Channel 7 had a two part investigative piece on the Keystone XL pipeline that aired Sunday evening. Needless to say, we loved it. Snaps for reporter Ryan Luby. View Here
Paul Fell does the NE GOP Convention: If you’re political cartoon junkies like us and haven’t signed up for The Daily Felltoon, you should. You get a good morning blog and a little funny in your inbox every day (which makes the dreaded Mondays a little more bearable). View Here
Nelson’s now a Republican: Just kidding. Time columnist Joe Klein suggested in an article over the weekend that Senator Ben Nelson might switch parties if the Republicans made substantial gains in November. How Klein could expect Nelson to win a GOP primary in Nebraska is beyond us; Don Walton is 100% right. View Here
AZ Law Won’t Secure the Border: Don’t take our word for it. Even Arizona’s Governor Jan Brewer admitted as much on Larry King Live. Apparently she cares about securing the border, but she is standing behind legislation that does nothing to accomplish that. But it does, only it doesn’t. Yeah, we’re confused too. View Here
Oberst v Ingrham settled by the Public Pulse: David Sink and Anne Carroll write some outstanding letters to the editor for the Omaha World-Herald. They seem to agree with Matt Maginn that artists can be activists too. Rock on Omaha, rock on. View Here
Monday, August 2nd
Every morning the Bold Nebraska team rounds up their favorite news stories, here are the links for Monday, August 2:
If you can’t beat ‘em: Don’t expect Gov. Heineman to join them. The Governor has already refused to participate in the new high-risk insurance program (so the feds take care of any Nebraskans who need to be part of that program), and now he might not even be taking a $1 million grant to help build an exchange. He’s also indicated that he won’t be establishing a formal system for groups to give input. How is this leadership? View Here
Will vote for beer: The Washington Post dares to ask if lawmakers are under the influence of alcohol lobbyists– particularly the National Beer Wholesalers Association. The group contributed $45,000 to a representative’s campaign account two weeks after a bill that would directly influence their profits was introduced in the House. View Here
Speaking of drinking: The NE Medical Association is starting an aggressive campaign against pop and energy drinks. They want to eliminate the tax exemptions for the sugary drinks, and they’re armed to the teeth with studies that show childhood obesity is linked to these beverages. Guess who’s thinks the NE Medical Association is just in it for the taxes? View Here
