Senator Machaela Cavanaugh
@senatormachaela
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It's never the wrong time to do the right thing. Nebraska State Senator. This is not an official legislative account. She/Her. #DontLegislateHate
Joined January 2019
Tonight one of my colleagues read a rape scene from a book inserting my name repeatedly. It was gross, disrespectful, and beneath the Nebraska Unicameral.
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Failure isn’t an option because, if I fail, I’m failing children, and I’m not going to fail children. It is my job to show up for them and to protect them and to ensure their health and safety and well-being in this state. #DontLegislateHate.
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New bills will come to the floor in the coming weeks, including ones I support. I will filibuster them all. Every. Single. One. Why? Because I am not giving extremists any chance to legislate their hate against the trans community. #DontLegislateHate.
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I think the exact words I used at the time were that I would “burn the session to the ground.”. I don’t mince words. So the next morning, on February 23, I started filibustering, and pretty much haven’t stopped since.
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Promises made. Promises kept. Filed over 700 motions today. My message is clear: #Dontlegislatehate
New bills will come to the floor in the coming weeks, including ones I support. I will filibuster them all. Every. Single. One. Why? Because I am not giving extremists any chance to legislate their hate against the trans community. #DontLegislateHate.
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I will not give up on Nebraska children. Failure isn’t an option because, if I fail, I’m failing children, and I’m not going to fail children. Are you with me? . #DontLegislateHate
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My colleagues have chosen to stand with hate. I will never stop standing against it. If you’re with me, consider supporting @DontLegHatePAC. ➡️
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Yesterday was a tragic day. My colleagues refused to stand up for their own values. They voted to advance a bill that legislated hate instead of standing up for their own principles. They will take away parental rights for political expediency. Today the fight continues.
Nebraska State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh (D) sobs on the chamber floor as she honors the parents of trans kids present in the gallery.
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While Beau Ballard, who supported LB 574, is in the audience.
Amazing. Lizzo, in front of thousands of people, confronts LB574 - a gender affirming care ban and abortion ban - in Nebraska tonight. "Don't let anyone tell you who you are. These laws aren't real. YOU are real.".
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I want to thank everyone for taking time to take notice of what is going on in Neb. I hope our Trans youth here in Nebraska and across the country take heart in knowing that there are grownups in the room (more than just me) fighting for you!
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Trans rights are human rights — in Nebraska and in the United States of America. I’m not backing down and I hope you’ll join me in telling every senator who is pushing these hateful bills #DontLegislateHate . #TransDayOfVisibility
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And the beat goes on.
True to her word, state Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh has slowed the business of passing laws to a crawl by introducing amendment after amendment and taking up all eight debate hours — even during the week she had strep throat.
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Taking away healthcare rights from trans people in Nebraska – and across the country – is a violation of human rights. Plain and simple. #DontLegislateHate
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They’re trying to legislate away the parental rights of one of our colleagues. To me, that is unbelievably disrespectful and cruel.
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Harley, I see you and I hear you. I will not stop fighting for you or any other kid in Nebraska. #DontLegislateHate.
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Patrick I would love to connect. Please DM me if you are interested in talking.
One day after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed a book ban into law, Sioux City West High School’s class of 2023 valedictorian Patrick Baughman uses his platform to speak out:. “Support trans rights and read banned books … Don’t let them take away our love.” (VIDEO @scj)
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Wrapping you both in love and appreciation!.
Y'all, a massive crowd has descended on Missoula, Montana - home of my loving partner, Representative Zephyr - to proclaim that they will not be silenced. The event is expected to grow in the coming hours. They've woken a movement in Montana.
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The attacks on transgender youth must stop. #DontLegislateHate.
Central High students are walking out to protest LB574 & LB575, #neleg bills targeting trans youth. NE’s Planned Parenthood rep will be there. “We refuse to tolerate the NE legislature’s continued attacks on transgender youth.”. Deleted prev tweet b/c of student contact info.
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Trans rights are humans rights. I’m grateful these young leaders are PEACEFULLY protesting legislation that would harm their classmates and friends. Senators, take note: Kids are standing up for kids. And so should we. #Dontlegislatehate #TransDayOfVisibility.
Nebraska students are planning walkouts in protest of anti-trans bills. School officials should support that civic engagement. Read our open letter to school administrators:
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Thank you the the Washington State LGBTQ+ Caucus for the gorgeous arrangement. 📸 @NebraskaMegan
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We’re taking this fight nationally. Watch below, and if you can, please chip in: #DontLegislateHate.
BREAKING: Today @senatormachaela, @johnforne, and @nebraskamegan are launching Don’t Legislate Hate PAC to help elect state-level candidates with the courage to stop anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across our country. Together, we say #DontLegislateHate.
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View from my room tonight. It is going to be a challenging day. Please remember that you are loved, you matter, you are worth fighting for, and I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR YOU!
"One vote to save trans lives!" Thanks to all our volunteers who came out tonight. Whatever happens tomorrow, we'll continue to support our trans neighbors however we can. See you at the capitol. 🏳️⚧️
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I did not taunt them. I told them they were cowards for being unwilling to face their victims through the front door. That is a fact. Not a taunt.
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12 days this session and 60 next year. I play for keeps and I keep my word. BURN. IT. TO. THE. GROUND. 🔥🔥🔥.
It’s not over at all. The 60 day session next year is burned too. #neleg.
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Have your cake and #DontLegislateHate!.
Yesterday we filed 742 motions on the remainder of the bills for this session, which allows us to control a significant portion of each debate. Today Angela at Goldenrod Pastries brought us this gorgeous cake!!! Are you kidding me??
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The first election in the country in a predominantly Republican district in Nebraska and the voters stood up against HATE! What a great way to start 2024. Congrats to this unfunded, grassroots effort that yielded 62% of the vote. Truly impressive and inspiring.
Plattsmouth voters have overwhelmingly voted to remove a book-banning extremist from their Board of Education. Hate and division have no safe haven in rural Nebraska.
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People are asking who it was - Sen Steve Halloran.
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Going to start sharing NE medical org donations to state senators who voted FOR LB574. If you are a member, I recommend letting them know you don't want YOUR $ going to ANTI-healthcare candidates. This is how passage of this bill happened. Starting with the NE Hospital Assoc
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New opportunities to stand together with the LGBTQ+ community are coming. We’re not going to let hate become law. Are you ready?. #DontLegislateHate
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Another week fighting for Trans Youth. 🏳️⚧️
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It is devastating when a governing body silences a representatives voice. We cannot and should not silence those who stand in opposition. Sending my gratitude to @ZoAndBehold for standing firm in representing her constituents.
The Montana GOP is refusing to let me speak for the rest of the legislative session. I was elected to represent my 11,000 constituents. No silencing tactics will deter me from advocating for my community, my district, and all Montanans. My light is on and I am ready to speak.
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Thank you to the GOAT of the filibuster. This truly is high praise!.
Thank you @senatormachaela for reminding us all of the value of fighting with every possible tool available. Your stand for transgender youth has been nothing short of inspiring. #transrights #IStandWithMachaela #IStandWithTransYouth
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Turn your TVs to @GMA around noon today, and you might see a familiar face – tune in for some big news. #DontLegislateHate
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Happy Easter from my kiddo’s rainbow bunny. Love is love.
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My brother @JohnCavanaughNE is doing the essential work of making a record. I love that I serve with him. I cannot imagine doing this fight without him.
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Today 10 of my colleagues joined me in asking @GovRicketts to reinstate the statewide COVID19 Dashboard. Full letter is copied below.
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I’d love a Nebraska “Better State Flag”.🙏🙏🙏
We're still working hard on our "Better State Flags" series. See your state below? Comment what you think. Don't see your state? Send ideas!. 🏷
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State lawmaker vows to filibuster all bills until GOP withdraws abortion, gender-affirming care bans
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“Blocking hate in the Cornhusker state.”.
For over two months, @senatormachaela has filibustered nearly every bill passed through her legislature to keep Republicans from banning gender-affirming care. She tells us how she’s managed to hold the floor. #WhatADay “Trans Rights or Fillibust” out now:
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Winner take all amendment fails.
#NeLeg .We are currently debating a bill that has a pending amendment for winner-take-all.
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Debate has begun in a total abortion ban in Nebraska. My wonderful colleague @JaneRaybould gifted me this sweet treat. 🥰
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It has been one week since @HeartlandSignal posted a video of me speaking about how I intend to grind the NE Leg to a halt to protect our Trans Youth. Since that time approx 5k new people have started to follow me on this platform. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself.
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Ditto 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻.
Me when my colleagues who supported the trans healthcare ban need my vote on something. Sorry to this man!! I wouldn’t know a thing!! #NELeg .
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Seriously Nebraska Examiner. You should be better than these ridiculous photos of @SenatorSlama and myself. This is a substantive conversation. Please treat us both with the same respect you would if we were men. These two photos are ridiculous.
#Nebraska lawmaker faced a censure threat Wednesday for alleging two bills aim to perpetrate genocide against transgender Nebraskans. From @ZachWendling2.
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This is what legislating hate looks like: stripping rights without cause. #DontLegislateHate.
Happening now. Florida's House Healthcare Regulation Committee will hear HB1421. It is among the worst anti-trans bills heard. It bans care for trans youth, forces detransition. It bans private insurance coverage for trans adults. It attacks adult care. Follow live with me. 🧵
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A handful of Democrats in Nebraska have sought to force Republicans to shelve a bill that would ban transition-related medical treatment for young people, filibustering and using procedural tactics to bring legislative business to a near halt.
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I feel like there is no end to the outrage being expressed by ALL Nebraskans. This just doesn't make sense. Why can't we feed 150,000 children this summer?!.
Advocates urge Gov. Jim Pillen on Friday to change his mind and participate in a federal summer food program for low-income children. From @paulhammelNE.
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Mike Figueredo of @HumanistReport has the most comprehensive analysis of what I am doing, why I am doing it, and why legislators across this nation should be standing up and giving everything they have to protect our Trans Youth. Thank you Mike.
Nebraska Lawmaker Has Been Filibustering an Anti-Trans Bill For THREE Weeks via @YouTube.
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I started filibustering on February 23, 2023, now it’s May 23 and #NELeg has passed less than 20 bills. But at least the conservative social agenda has made it through on day 83 of a 90 day session. NO tax cuts passed to-date.
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Context matters — which was the crux of the bill being debated. Inserting my or my brother or both of our names into the reading of an explicit excerpt from a story about rape is the context of this video.
Here’s the full video. I hate sharing it but it’s part of the public record and people ought to see what the fuck goin on in their Legislature. #NELeg
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A Nebraska Lawmaker on the Front Lines of the Fight Against Anti-Trans Legislation via @NewYorker.
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Ready for another day in your Nebraska legislature.
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TONIGHT: I'll be joining @AymanMSNBC to talk about the filibuster, anti-trans legislation and the week ahead. Tune in around 8:35 pm CT. #DontLegislateHate
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This is beautiful.
Amazing Grace - a moment of joy on a tragic day. Queer joy will not be eradicated. Queer joy will not be defeated. Nebraska will be for everyone. 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
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How’s everyone’s night going? .Mine? Oh thanks for asking. My colleagues just voted to take away Nebraskas right to vote on a ballot initiative placed on the ballot BY NEBRASKANS. So every thing is copacetic here. Elections matter. Vote May 15.
“You’re going to vote for a bill that’s going to take away the vote of the people of Nebraska on the ballot… That is so inappropriate.” @senatormachaela #No1402 #neleg
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He invoked both of our names at the start and then dropped the first name. Whichever one of us this assault was meant for does make it less horrific — though I believe it was directed at me. Men can also be victims of assault and his response is dismissive of that fact.
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After severe cyber bullying, I locked my replies. Some have expressed dismay at this move. If you are tagged here, consider this your invitation to cyber bully me on this post to your heart's content. Moving forward bully me on your own account. @toottootchoo.@AlumCreighton.
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Remember when Tom Brewer threaten to murder everyone on the floor of the legislature when his gun bill failed? And no one reported on it. But I’m glad to see it’s being reported and given a platform that I was “uncivil“.
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💯💯💯 @dlcc has NEVER invested in Nebraska. Thanks @NebraskaMegan for your leadership in Nebraska!.
Reminder that the @DLCC has never invested in candidates in Nebraska, one of the last refuges in the Midwest for legal abortion care.
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1year ago I embarked on what turned out to be the longest filibuster in the HISTORY of the US (60 days). We lost the battle, but not the war. 2024 elections are a referendum on if we support Hate or Love. Join me in the fight with a donation to my PAC
Wow. State senator Machaela Cavanaugh (D-NE) says she will hold up the entire legislature until Republicans pull their bill attacking LGBT students. “I have nothing but time. You cannot wear me down. I will not be stopped.” (h/t @heartlandsignal)
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Last day of #NELeg. It’s been real. I’m looking forward to spending time with my husband and kids.
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Wow. State senator Machaela Cavanaugh (D-NE) says she will hold up the entire legislature until Republicans pull their bill attacking LGBT students. “I have nothing but time. You cannot wear me down. I will not be stopped.” (h/t @heartlandsignal)
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The entirety of my 60 day filibuster I maintained that this was not a D vs. R issue. This is a Parental Rights, Human Rights, and Government Overreach issue. Gov. DeWine showed strength and integrity. This should give all of us (not just Dems) hope for our democracy.
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If it is within your power, then why don't you do something about it? Help Nebraskans suffering from crushing student loan debt. Use your power and authority to help Nebraskans. Stop talking with the political rhetoric and help the people.
The Supreme Court has delivered another victory for the constitution by striking down the student loan cancellation plan. Only Congress has the power to appropriate funds. Anything else is an unconstitutional power grab… even Nancy Pelosi agreed!.
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Today, your Nebraska legislature voted to pass LB 574 past the first round of floor debate. To all LGBTQ+ youth and families: Heads up. Chins up. We will survive this. Know that you have fierce advocates fighting for you every step of the way, and this is not over.
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Nebraskans came out in unprecedented force in opposition to this type of discriminatory and hate filled legislation. Now the courts have spoken. Remember that 33 members of the #NELeg ignored the facts and will cost taxpayers in clearly a losing legal battle.
BREAKING: A federal court permanently blocked an Arkansas law that would have banned gender-affirming care for transgender youth, finding the law violates the constitutional rights of transgender youth, their parents, and their medical providers.
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Hopefully 3rd times is a charm- hopefully. If you would like to be part of the permanent record in opposition to LB574, please fill out this form. Nebraskans against LB 574
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This is extremely important. The Governor is blocking the Legislature from conducting very important oversight.
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This executive order is wildly irresponsible, and will have so many yet to be determined consequences to the state of Nebraska. We should be celebrating the women’s volleyball team and but it has now been overshadowed by the governors war on the LGBTQ community.
Nebraska is the latest state to enact anti-trans laws by governor's edict alone that the legislature could not get through via popular vote. Youngkin, DeSantis have both popularized doing this in recent months. Terrible decree defining trans people out of law.
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I am proud to stand with my colleagues across the country to preserve access to reproductive health care.
Three Nebraska lawmakers were among over 600 Democratic legislators from 49 states signing an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court involving the abortion pill.
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If it means that the governor can veto bills after we adjourn, and we don’t have an opportunity to override, then yes, I am opposed.
Hearing word now that this unprecedented #NEleg session might end two days early, on Thursday. Anyone opposed to that?.
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My letter to Governor Ricketts in response to his comments about antiracism and our educational institutions.
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Yep. #NELeg members do not “agree” with WBC and that is why we are debating LB574 at the convenience of WBC. They are showing up to show their support of legislating hate. If you don’t like them being here- don’t give them what they want.
Tonight Speaker Arch announced the debate on trans healthcare ban will be Thursday and that it’s a coincidence that WBC will be protesting. He had the power to say, I’m not scheduling this bill *because* they’re coming. He’s encouraging the chaos and is giving up all control.
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Developmental Disabilities, Repro Rights, and protecting ALL children. I am fiercely loyal, goofy, and a nerd for legislative procedure and rules. Thank you for your interest in my social media. I’m not really great at this platform, but love to engage. #DontLegislateHate.
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Thanks to all who are supporting my efforts to protect Tran Ms Youth in Nebraska.
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👏👏👏.
Des Moines resident Felicia Hilton testifies on Iowa's six-week abortion ban:. "You're the same people who will slap loaves of bread out of Jesus' hands . [You] celebrate the oppression of women . [while the Governor] is cutting food assistance.". "This state is ridiculous."
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This week, #Neleg will continue to attempt to legislate away our freedoms. Sadly, we aren't the only state facing this horrible attack on our freedoms. Look to Florida, look to Tennessee. Abortion rights. Trans rights. Human rights. Enough is enough. #DontLegislateHate.
"We don't have to legislate away our freedoms." @senatormachaela kicks off the fight to protect our ability to access the health care we need, when we need it. It's going to be a full day advocating against the extreme abortion ban, LB626. #NEleg. 📺Watch:
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Another week in the books. Take care of yourselves!
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Nov 28 DHHS held a public comment & no one who voted FOR LB574(anti-gender affirming care) nor the Chief Medical Off showed up to listen to those impacted by this legislation. Every bill in NE requires a public hearing. I can’t fix what happened in ‘23. I can give you a platform.
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Please know that you have adults in the room standing up for you. You are loved, you matter, and we will fight to protect you. And yes, we will do everything we can to send this bill back to the flames from which it came 🔥(2/2).
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I think this is the kind of vitriol you hear from someone who didn’t get a $1 million tax break in the backs of hard working Nebraskans. I’m proud of not passing property tax relief for the wealthy at the expense of the poor. Pillen’s tax plan was not Nebraska Nice.
.@TeamPillen at his post special session press conference evokes a @realDonaldTrump phrase, saying that a ‘swamp’ had developed in the State Capitol Rotunda (where the lobbyists hang out) to block tax relief proposals.
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Sen. Linehan asked Secretary of the State to take away the people of Nebraska's ability to vote for tax policies. Silencing the voice of the people because the people disagree with you is an assault on our democracy. I hope @NebraskaSOS does the right thing by the voters of NE.
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It is concerning to see the Gov using his personal wealth to squash the voice of the people at the ballot box.
We're troubled by the news that @TeamPillen has given $100k to our opponent. When millionaires like Pillen and billionaires like @BetsyDeVos meddle in a tax voucher scheme, it's clear they have more to gain than the money they're throwing at it. Help us:
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Right?! 🫠.
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Welcome to the first day of the 108th Nebraska Legislature
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The yet has arrived.
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Leave nothing to chance #NoToWinnerTakeAll #NELeg
At least one Democrat is doubtful that this effort is as dead-and-buried as it seems, though. @senatormachaela has filed a series of motions on every single priority bill awaiting debate in the #neleg, she said. “I leave nothing to chance. Democracy is at stake.”. End thread.
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