Swing Left Nebraska

Welcome to the 2026 season finale of Unpacking the Unicameral. In today's episode, we examine the legislation vetoed by Governor Pillen and cover some other discouraging updates. But don't despair—we will conclude on a high note by highlighting the successes and positive developments from this past year.

As we approach the end of this legislative session, Cindy and I are diving into the specifics and current standing of several bills that were either advanced or defeated last week.

I'm happy you're here to unpack the Unicameral with Cindy and me. The budget finally had its Final Reading on Wednesday and has moved forward. We'll be diving into this, and providing updates on developing bills.

Today, we're going to dive deep into the newly proposed state budget. In addition to the budget, we have several critical pieces of legislation—or bills—up for debate and potential votes this week. It’s going to be a dynamic and pivotal week in the Unicameral, and understanding these issues is essential for every citizen.

In today's episode, Cindy and I dive deep into the developments at the Nebraska Legislature, focusing specifically on the intense  second round of debate  that continued throughout this past week. This stage is crucial as bills move closer to final passage or face significant challenges.

This week, we have the pleasure of having Cindy back to lead the discussion. She has a true gift for taking complex financial information and breaking it down into terms and concepts that are incredibly easy for everyone to grasp, regardless of their background or experience with the state budget. Get ready for an informative budget discussion.

In this episode, we'll start with a deep dive into last week's priority bills. After that, we'll shift our focus to next week, so you know what to expect. 

This past week marked a critical juncture in the legislative session, essentially serving as basically  the last week for the introduction of new bills. We'll be dissecting the most significant—and perhaps the most surprising—pieces of legislation. Looking ahead, we'll go over what is to be expected for this upcoming week. With the introduction deadline behind us, the focus now pivots shar...

We have a lot of ground to cover as we delve into bills that had hearings last week, and bills that will have hearings next week.

I'm stoked you're tuning in to hear about what went down in the unicameral last week and what's on the docket for the upcoming week. One bill we discussed that had a hearing last week is  LB 855 , introduced by Senator McKinney. This bill would establish an early intervention system to catch youth and provide supportive services before they enter the juvenile justice and child welfare...

Today, we'll analyze the past week’s key developments, including: a controversial bill regulating weapons in the State Capitol, and a crucial bill that will override voters' approved minimum wage law. We’ll also preview next week, focusing on upcoming essential legislation to protect Nebraska workers and much more.

I am excited you are here to tune! Cindy and I get into some great discussions about some bills that had hearings last week, and some that are being introduced next week.

This episode was recorded before the atrocious murder of Alex Pretti by ICE agents. The agency's sickening brutality must end. The deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good highlight a systemic problem we must confront and dismantle. Keep notifications on for upcoming protests, vigils, and actions responding to Alex Pretti’s death and ICE violence. Your presence is vital. Crucially, Senate Democrat...

 I am absolutely thrilled to share this conversation with the incredibly insightful Chris Backemyer.

We have a fantastic and insightful episode ahead as we unpack the unicameral with the truly amazing Cindy Maxwell Ostdiek. In this conversation, we cover a range of critical and timely topics that are currently shaping the political landscape. We start by discussing the recent and significant event: the resignation of former Senator McKeon. The discussion then moves to a less serious but still not...

Michaela Conway is a dedicated community advocate and a passionate voice for change here in Nebraska. She has spent years working tirelessly on issues that matter most to our communities, and today, we're going to delve into her background, her motivations, and her vision for her campaign for Nebraska’s State Board of Education in District 6. https://www.facebook.com/share/17qfzgyYNN/ https://www....

Thank you so much for joining Cindy and me as we take a deep dive into one of the most unique and fascinating aspects of our state's governance: the unicameral. Cindy has some incredible insights and background information ready to share, so prepare for a comprehensive and engaging discussion. We release new episodes every week, covering a range of topics from state politics to local community iss...

Today, I’m sitting down with an exceptional progressive voice: Erin Fichstinger . Erin is running for the Nebraska Legislature in District 8 . Erin's campaign is built on a powerful platform designed to uplift our community and state.

Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek is back, and we’re looking forward to providing your ears with weekly unicameral updates every Sunday In these episodes, we'll break down what actually happened during the past week of the Legislative session, moving beyond the headlines to give you the context and understanding you need. Crucially, we'll also look ahead, discussing what key debates, votes, and commit...

For two decades, James Leuschen served in influential senior staff positions in the U.S. House of Representatives, culminating as Policy Director to Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. An expert in economic policy impacting American families, he significantly contributed to the Affordable Care Act's passage and expansion, and advocated for the Child Tax Credit. Beyond national work, James...

You are about to dive into a fascinating conversation with a great guest: County Treasurer Candidate, Tony Vargas. As an elected official for over a decade, tony served eight years on the Appropriations Committee in the Legislature. He was known for bipartisan collaboration, successfully balancing the state budget and spearheading Nebraska's first long-term fiscal planning legislation to forec...

I am absolutely thrilled you're here to join me for a captivating conversation with Nate Ostdiek. Nate is campaigning for the open Legislator seat in District 6, as incumbent Machaela Cavanaugh is term-limited. Nate is a powerful advocate for Nebraskans, particularly in higher education and the state Legislature. He has bravely fought injustices, including the removal of diversity, equity, and...

I had the pleasure to sit down with Eric Moyer who is running to seat Mike Flood in CD1. Born and raised in Madison, Northeast Nebraska, Eric holds degrees in Theater and Marketing, Communication, and Advertising (MCA) from the University of Nebraska. He has nearly a decade of experience building renewable energy projects in the Midwest, following a diverse career as an actor, marketer, event mana...

Josh Livingston, a Creighton Law School graduate, began his public service as a Deputy County Attorney, advocating for vulnerable families and ensuring child support. He now continues this mission as a family law attorney, guiding clients through custody and divorce. Running for the Legislature, Josh aims to give working Nebraska families in District 8 a strong voice, using his legal expertise and...

Today, I am speaking with Crystal Rhodes, a dedicated and passionate individual who is currently running for Congress in District 2. Crystal brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to public service, having significantly impacted the communities she serves through her various roles for over 20 years. In congress, Crystal will seek to foster a more responsive and responsible political...