Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly more intense. So is the exposure of infrastructural rot in their wake. As seen before with hurricanes Katrina and Harvey and superstorm Sandy, a path of destruction reveals the inequities a capitalistic system creates and protects; however, the latest example of climate crisis isn’t thousands of miles from home. The argument of “it’s their own fault for living in … Continue reading The Big Flood – disaster capitalism in the good life

Graduate students at UNL and across the country are facing poverty-level wages at the hand’s of their universities. Mark Honey caught up with Unionize UNL member Levi about what their organization is doing to combat this issue. Mark Honey: When and why did you start this campaign? Levi: It started last spring/late winter, if not a little bit before. It came out of a couple … Continue reading An Uphill Battle: grad students at UNL trying to unionize

by Triumph staff. The Triumph is making public life easier and keeping tabs on the legislature so you don’t have to. Here are updates on what we’ve found most important. Recent News LB 57 – Unicameral unanimously voted in favor of Senator Adam Morfeld’s bill to allow Airbnb and other short-term rental companies into the state, preempting any city-level attempts to ban the companies. Opponents … Continue reading Craft beer, prison pipelines and recall elections — March legislature update

By Mark Honey Slavery would be formally ended in Nebraska if a newly introduced amendment to the state constitution is passed. State Senator Justin Wayne of northeast Omaha introduced the bill. The state’s constitution still today reads, “There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in this state, otherwise than for punishment of crime…” “I hope one hundred percent of my colleagues support this amendment,” … Continue reading Ending Slavery? Or Hiding It Behind Bars?

By Evan Carlson How we fund our schools matters. In her book Cutting School, American Studies scholar Noliwe Rooks comments on the dangers of one such source of funding — property taxes. “Because public schools are funded mostly by local property taxes, wealthier communities have the resources to spend more for school buildings, teaching supplies, administration, extracurricular programs, and technologies,” she states. As such, the … Continue reading Legislature Considers Changes to Schools’ Property Tax Funding

by Triumph staff. Prison + Crime LB 176, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers would eliminate certain mandatory minimum penalties for felony crimes. This would allow these felons to be eligible for parole. LB 83, by Sen. Justin Wayne. This bill would allow felons to vote immediately after serving their sentences or completing parole. Currently, felons are barred from voting for two years after completion. … Continue reading Medical marijuana, conversion therapy and more — bills to watch in the 2019 Legislature

By A.F. Since the beginning of November, from all corners of France, people in yellow vests have taken to the streets in protest over recent decisions made by French President Emmanuel Macron. They include a tax on fuel that would only impact the working class, a low minimum wage, education reforms over the baccalauréat (secondary-school exam) that would create disparities, as well as other problems. … Continue reading Can There Be an American Yellow Vest Movement?

Strat Chat.   Nebraska is a long-time conservative state. But it wasn’t always that way. Back in the day, the Great Plains region was the most progressive in the US. Democratic Socialists of America members Erika Paschold and Jude Kerouc chat with Mark Honey about how to bring that energy back.   Mark Honey: What should Nebraskan socialists be focusing on at this time? For … Continue reading Into the Red: Where Local Organizers Talk Shop