VOICE Omaha

VOTE. It’s never mattered more.

kali — Mon, 07 May 2012 23:11:38 +0000

Voting is the foundation of a democracy. If you want your voice to be heard, you have to vote. Do you care about the environment? Check out the OPPD race. Do you care about education curriculum? Or do you pay property taxes? Check out the OPS Board races. Do you care about stem cell research? Check out the UN Board of Regents race.

We’ve gathered information on the races and the candidates so that you can be an informed voter. Make sure to use your voice on May 15 in the primary and later this fall on November 6 in the general election.

Voting Information

Early voting

Find your polling location

Find your district information

How far are you from your polling place?

Research Candidates

We’ve put together a long list of links to help you learn more about the individual races and candidates.

District 2
Robert Howard
Bill Kintner
R. Paul Lambert – incumbent appointed in 2011
Robyn Larson
Mel Luetchens
Ron Nolte

District 5
Heath Mello – incumbent elected in 2008

District 7
Christopher N. Geary
Jeremy J. Nordquist – incumbent elected in 2008
Adrian Petrescu

District 9
Vernon Joseph Davis
Erica Fish
Sara Howard

District 11
Ernie Chambers
Brenda J. Council – incumbent elected in 2008

District 13
Timothy Ashford
Tanya Cook – incumbent elected in 2008

District 31
Rick Kolowski
Acela Turco

District 39
Judy M. Domina
Beau McCoy - incumbent elected in 2008

University of Nebraska Board of Regents

District 8

OPPD

Candidate Bios

Board of Education

OPS Subdistrict 12

Research the responsibilities and issues of the OPPD, MUD, Omaha Board of Education, and NRD positions.

Our friends at the Progressive Research Institute prepared this great summary of the responsibilities of and issues facing the OPPD, MUD, OBoE, and NRD races. If you’ve ever wondered why these races and positions are important, give it a read. You’ll stop wondering immediate.

Share with your networks

Print a poster. Post this on Facebook. Change your avatar. Send an email. Whatever gets the word out to vote is fine with us.

Response to Jon Bruning’s opinion on GLBT ordinances

battershell — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:47:47 +0000

The steering committee of VOICE Omaha released the following statement in response to Attorney General Jon Bruning’s May 3rd Opinion related to Omaha’s amendment to its non-discrimination ordinance. John Bruning’s non-binding legal opinion regarding Omaha’s amendment to its nondiscrimination ordinance is pure political pretext.

Mr. Bruning is using his political position and legally unsound non-binding opinion to gain favor with the extreme right-wing of voters during primary season. Mr. Bruning’s opinion lacks the kind of critical thought and advanced jurisprudence that we would expect from our State’s attorney general.

Furthermore, Senator Beau McCoy, whose recently-failed bill to forbid Omaha to pass its own nondiscrimination ordinances without statewide approval, seems to be searching for any opportunity to prevent the protection of Nebraska’s LGBT community.

We believe that there have been differences between state and municipality non-discrimination ordinances for decades, which beg the question: why are Mr. McCoy and Mr. Bruning only interested as of late?

As the political campaign proceeds, we encourage Mr. Bruning to focus on his record and his vision for Nebraska.

Printable version

Progressive Research Institute Event

battershell — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:47:02 +0000

This engaging discussion will be led by UNO’s Dr. John Bartle with a response by State Senator Abbie Cornett, Chairperson of the Unicameral’s Revenue Committee. The event is only $5 and covers the cost of appetizers and beverages.

An inside look at how our tax dollars are divided among the rich, middle class, and poor; and learn how the Omaha tax burden compares to others in the region and nation.

Wednesday April 25
4:00 – 6:00pm
Hot Shops Art Center
1301 Nicholas Street

How Our Tax Dollars Are Divided

vote

battershell — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:30:11 +0000

Download this 8×11 poster

Put it somewhere, anywhere to encourage those near you to vote.

Care about Transportation? Follow Modeshift Omaha

battershell — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:16:25 +0000

Our friends over at Modeshift Omaha have stepped up the discussions about transportation options in Omaha. We strongly encourage everyone who has interest in transportation should sign up and join the conversation. Here is their email from today to get you familiar.

Notes from our last meeting are here. Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 10 at UNO CPACS room 208. Directions are here. We’ll start a bit later at 6:45pm(so some folks can go to the Omaha Bikes meeting starting at 5:30pm at the Aksarben Godfathers). We’d love for you to join us in helping to finalize plans for our strategic planning session on April 15 and Heyday on May Day on May 1.

If you can’t make it to the strategic planning session on April 15 (10am-4pm at UNO CPACS 109a), please let us know your vision for transportation in Omaha and what you’d like to see Mode Shift Omaha do to help bring about this vision. You can either comment on this blog post or respond to this email.

Join us for these upcoming events:

· April 10–Mode Shift Omaha Meeting, 6:45pm, UNO CPACS room 208

· April 15–Mode Shift Omaha Strategic Planning, 10am-4pm, UNO CPACS room 109a

· April 24–Mode Shift Omaha Meeting, 6:30pm, UNO CPACS room 208

· April 27– Transportation Coffee Chat: Regional Perspectives, 8am, Scoooter’s Coffee on 16th & Dodge (north side of Dodge inside First National building)

· May 1—Heyday on May Day Transportation Alternatives Celebration/Street Party, 5-9pm, 25 & Harney (see more info below)!!

· All of May—watch for events associated with National Bike Month in May.

Finally, some policy and legislative updates and action items:

Check out our blog post regarding assumptions about automobile accessibilty related to polling site closures.
The new pedicab ordinance we’ve been working on with the Omaha YPs, Omaha Bikes, the Omaha Police Department and others had its first reading at the City Council meeting on Apr. 3. The public hearing for the ordinance will take place at the City Council meeting on Apr 17. Please attend the meeting to express your support and/or email your City Council representative.
A proposal will go before the Omaha City Council to make sections of 19th and 20th Streets north of downtown into two-way roads that could lead to slower driving and economic development. Contract your City Council Representative to express your support.
The Transportation Master Plan is scheduled to go to the City Planning Board sometime in mid-April and then to the City Council in May. Stay tuned for ways you can add your support to the plan, which includes policies for complete streets and multi-modes of transportation.
LB1030, which would require drivers to leave a minimum distance of 3 feet when passing a pedestrian, bicycle or electric assistive mobility device traveling in the same direction on a roadway passed today in the state legislature! The law now goes to the Governor.
The Nebraska Department of Roads is seeking comments on its long-range transportation plan update until May 11. Please read it and add your comments.
And don’t forget about the Chicago to Omaha Regional Passenger Trail planning study open house—comments are being accepted until April 16.

Best,

Angiewww.modeshiftomaha.org*****

Join Us for Heyday on May Day!

It’s a transportation celebration on May 1, 5-9pm, 25 & Harney!

Omaha is about to (we hope and expect) adopt an updated Transportation Master Plan for our fine city, and we’re throwing a party to celebrate our past accomplishments and look to the future with hope for many more.

So here’s the deal: we’re working with the City to shut down the north two lanes of Harney Street between 26th and 24th Ave. to showcase how wonderful an active, walkable, bikeable, liveable street could be! Priority 1 on the master plan is to convert Harney Street, from Midtwown to the Old Market, into a multi-modal corridor friendly for biking and walking. The ‘Market to Midtown Connector’ is sure to be a wonderful addition to Omaha. At the Heyday, we’ll help you visualize what that could mean to you.

Please join us, ideally by bicycle, bus, shuttle (from Midtown Crossing), foot, or carpool for too much fun to list on one page. There will be group bike rides organizing from around the city.

We’re still in the planning stages but some of the fun, once you get there, will be in the form of the following:

*6pm: Transportation Master Plan discussion/community feedback

*5-9pm: *music *food trucks *Trugs *bicycle racing/riding *sidewalk chalking *all sorts of art *tree-lined street-scaping/beautification project *bike shops and clubs with information *filming and photographing the fun *open house of the area *yoga *hoola hooping *roller skating *skate boarding *Omaha by Design place games *anything that you can think of that involves fun outside.

Follow updates about the event on Facebook.

As you can see, there’s an action-packed, fun evening in Omaha’s future. You should be there; after all, it is your city.

Questions: email us at info@modeshiftomaha.org. Let us know too if you can help with planning or helping out at the event. If your organization would like to participate, you’re welcome!

Voting Rights Upheld in Nebraska!

christian — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:22:15 +0000

LB 239 – legislation that would have required the presentation of government-issed photographic identification to vote in elections – was officially killed last week. Thanks to all of you who contacted your state representative and stood up for the democratic rights of all Nebraskans, particularly our most vulnerable populations. Nebraska is only one of a handful of states that have successfully defeated voter ID!
The next battle for voting rights is ensuring all citizens have reasonable access to polling places. Please continue to stay tuned as together we work to ensure everyone has the opportunity to vote in the upcoming primary and general elections…

Your Voice was Heard: A People’s Victory at City Hall

craigmoody — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:19:27 +0000

Your Voice Was Heard: A People’s Victory At City Hall

Roughly 90 minutes into deliberation over Ben Gray’s Equal Employment Ordinance, it felt as though the collective hearts of many Omahans were paralyzed. It still wasn’t’ clear how the vote would turn out. And then roll call. The key vote, much like in 2010, was hanging on Garry Gernandt. Back then, he said no. He didn’t have enough information. This year…he voted yes.

In doing so, he joined Ben Gray, Chris Jerram and Pete Festersen in being on the right side of history. He joined them in standing up for what is right. He joined them in taking Omaha one step closer to being the world-class city that it deserves to be, that it aspires to be, that it can be. Our community has taken a meaningful step to stand up against intolerance.

Yesterday was a huge day for Omaha and a big day for you: the over 1,600 people that make up VOICE Omaha. Yet it wasn’t our victory alone; we couldn’t be more pleased to have been involved in the Equal Omaha Coalition. Several months ago, a discussion about LGBT workplace equality started amongst a small group of people and eventually grew into the Equal Omaha Coalition. Individuals, organizations, and businesses pooled our collective resources to make this happen.

Our collective formula for success, which was touched on in Equal Omaha’s statement following the 4–3 vote yesterday, is very simple: illuminate the need, identify and back-up the solution with facts, and coalesce support. (Rinse and Repeat.)

One thing that became very clear through much of the Equal Employment Ordinance debate was that the opposition did not have the people of Omaha on their side nor the facts to support their case. We did. And despite some late-in-the-game politics, the people won out. That’s how it’s supposed to work. A movement of the people, coupled with some good, hard facts, won out. Not politics. Democracy at its best.

There are many challenging issues in front of us, but today is a day to celebrate the important milestone that Omaha achieved yesterday thanks to the collective and tireless work of so many political and civic leaders, dedicated organizations, and everyday people. We’ll let you know* when it’s time to get started on the next community-altering project. Bask in the success, Omaha. You deserve it.

Viva VOICE! Viva a more realized Equal Omaha!

*Please become a “member” of VOICE. It doesn’t cost a dime. The larger the numbers, the stronger we are. Sign up. Stay in touch. Stay involved.

Recent Polling Shows Support for the EEO

craigmoody — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:44:20 +0000

Through our partnership with the Equal Omaha Coalition, we recently solicited the assistance of Greensberg Quinlan Rosner Research to gain a more precise picture of what Omahans are thinking with regard to the Equal Employment Ordinance.

The survey of 1,003 registered voters in Omaha shows overwhelming support for a local ordinance protecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination in employment. This support remains strong in both the Fourth (Gernandt) and Sixth (Thompson) Council districts. Moreover, by an even more convincing margin, voters argue that this protection should be extended to ALL employees, rather than to only public employees who work for the city.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SUMMARY MEMORANDUM AND ACTUAL SURVEY RESULTS.

The main findings are as follows:

- By better than a 2:1 margin (60 percent favor, 25 percent oppose), Omaha voters support the ordinance.
- Moreover, 43 percent strongly support this measure, just 19 percent strongly oppose.
- Support is even broader in the Fourth Council District (68 percent favor; 47 percent strongly favor).
- The Sixth District reflects the city as a whole (61 percent favor, 29 percent oppose).

Pretty compelling, don’t you think? Let’s hope Mr. Gernandt, Mr. Thompson and the rest of the City Council are paying attention to what all Omahans are saying. On that note, if you haven’t dropped a quick email to the three swing voters to show your support, please do so. Every little bit makes a difference. Click below for direct links to email forms via equalomaha.org.

Garry Gernandt

Franklin Thompson

Thomas Mulligan

See you at the City Council meeting for the vote on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 2pm in City Hall.

Equal Employment Ordinance: It’s Crunch Time

craigmoody — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 17:47:06 +0000

It’s crunch time for equality in Omaha.

Through our collaboration with the Equal Omaha Coalition, much progress has been made, but we’re not done yet and need your help to make sure the City Council votes to pass the Equal Employment Ordinance on March 13, 2012. You all have two immediate action items before we go any further: 1) “like” Equal Omaha on Facebook (it’s the best way to stay in the loop as the next few weeks unfold), and 2) contact the City Council.

Here’s the skinny on what’s happened, what’s next and where you’re needed:

WHAT’S HAPPENED

The timetable for the EEO has been set (all 2pm City Council meetings):
- 2/28: introduction
- 3/6: public hearing (be there!)
- 3/13: final vote

On Tuesday, 2/14, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution to oppose workplace discrimination. It’s a great first step but doesn’t go far enough.

On Sunday, 2/19, the Omaha World Herald expressed its support for the EEO. Seriously. Kudos to the OWH!

Over 100 businesses and organizations support the EEO. If your business supports equality in the workplace, send us a note via the Equal Omaha Coalition and we’ll get you added to the list.

UNMC’s College of Public Health released an addendum to their 2011 Midlands LGBT Needs Assessment. If you read the addendum and still think LGBT discrimination is not a problem, your head is in the sand. Period.

A group of pretty cool musicians issued a statement supporting the EEO on 1/23.
WHAT’S NEXT & WHERE YOU’RE NEEDED

Contact the City Council. This is the single most important thing you can do to ensure the EEO passes. No joking. Get it done. The sooner the better. Do it. Now. And remember, be respectful; you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

Attend the City Council Meetings. Yes, we know there are three so if you can only get to one, make it the public hearing on 3/6. Let’s pack City Hall!

If you have been or know someone who has been discriminated against, please share your story (anonymity is allowed). These personal accounts, which will be shared with the City Council, are a powerful way to show the EEO is absolutely needed.

Sign the petition supporting the Ordinance.

And finally, consider attending one of the rallies supporting the EEO. They are all detailed below.

RALLIES

March 3 from 11am – 2pm: Rally for Workplace Equality
Come to the Memorial Park Bridge to show your support for the EEO. Time to be respectful and visible.

March 5 @ 7pm: Rally for Equality
On the eve of the public hearing, come to First United Methodist Church for a pep rally, of sorts.
And finally, check out this great video of Councilmember Ben Gray talking about why the Equal Employment Ordinance is so important.

It’s time to get this done, folks. It’s time.

Equal Employment Ordinance FAQs

craigmoody — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:04:59 +0000

The Equal Employment Ordinance hasn’t formally been introduced yet and crazy stories are already circulating. Will your business need to install a transgender bathroom? Will frivolous lawsuits go through the roof? Is such an ordinance unheard of and untested in other communities? The answers: No. No. No. The Equal Omaha Coalition created this great, one-page list of FAQs for you to share far and wide to debunk all these crazy myths.

Please feel free to share it far and wide. Let’s shut down the rumor mill right away.