Tom Becka

Omaha’s Streetcar, In Theory

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Tue, 07/02/2024 - 7:00am

Before I begin let me state for the record that, in theory, I am a fan of the streetcar.

The, “in theory” part is very important because, in theory, I can see how it will benefit Omaha’s urban core. In theory, I can see how it’s a starter track that eventually will run to the airport, the zoo, and maybe even to Elkhorn and over the river to Council Bluffs.

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Ben Nelson Saw It Coming

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Wed, 06/26/2024 - 7:00am

A few years ago I had the honor to speak with former Senator Ben Nelson. He was promoting his book “The Death of the Senate. My front row seat to the demise of the world’s greatest deliberative body.”

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Does Pillen Have Something Up His Sleeve?

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Mon, 06/17/2024 - 6:00am

The Governor is planning on calling a special session of the Unicameral later this summer. He is determined to get his property tax reductions passed come hell or high water. Also bubbling under the radar is his plan to make Nebraska a “Winner Take All” state when it comes to electoral votes.

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David Against Goliath

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Wed, 06/12/2024 - 6:00am

When I was a kid and my sister or brother were allowed to have something or do something I couldn’t, my father said it wasn’t fair. His go-to response to that every time was, “Life isn’t fair.”

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Can Governor Pillen Lower Nebraska Property Tax?

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Thu, 05/02/2024 - 5:00am

Governor Pillen and I have something in common. Neither one of us has a clue on how to pass a 40% reduction in property taxes. The Governor said he was planning on calling a special session of the Unicameral after he failed to get his priority legislation passed this year.

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We Don’t Need Voter ID; We Need Voter IQ

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Wed, 05/01/2024 - 12:00am

Law Day is May 1st. It’s a day where we celebrate our legal system. A system that’s gotten a lot of publicity lately as a former President goes before the criminal courts for the first time in history.

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Make The Unicameral Civil Again

Published by Nikki Palmer on Fri, 03/29/2024 - 3:00am

During the summer of 2016 I was doing a talk radio program in Kansas City. You will recall this was the time when the Donald Trump phenomime was really gaining steam. I’ll admit I was and still am perplexed about the attraction to the former President, so I asked my callers to tell me what they saw in him that I wasn’t seeing.

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The Topic Of Sex Is A Difficult And Tricky Situation When It Comes To Children And Young Adults

Published by jason@omahadail... on Mon, 03/18/2024 - 11:07pm

The State Board of Education has for the time being, stopped a proposal to ban sexually explicit books in schools. Now for people who only read the headlines, many might think that means the State Board of Education is promoting putting copies of Hustler magazines in school libraries. (Is Hustler magazine even a thing any more?) Nothing could be farther from the truth.

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Politics’ Dirty Little Secret

Published by maggie@omahadai... on Mon, 03/11/2024 - 5:00am

I’m going to tell you a dirty little secret about politics: There are Democrats that are against abortion and Republicans that are pro-choice. Now of course I’m talking about the voters and not the politicians because even if the politicians felt that way, they couldn’t say so in public if they wanted to continue their political career.

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To Get Along Is To Go Along

Published by josie@omahadail... on Mon, 03/04/2024 - 10:00pm

Don Bacon held another Town Hall meeting the other day. Regularly getting in front of his constituents has been something Congressman Bacon has done for years. He should be commended for that.