The 109th Nebraska Legislature is preparing for its second session, which is scheduled to last 60 legislative days. Senators are gearing up for debates on over 100 bills that are already lined up for consideration, with hundreds more expected to be introduced within the first 10 days of the session.
The previous session of the 108th Legislature was characterized by contentious debates on culture war issues, such as medical treatment for transgender youths and abortion. This led to 90 unproductive days, which were described by online survey respondents as “rancorous,” “ugly,” and “heinous.”
Concerns were raised over the increased partisanship within the nonpartisan body. It was emphasized that the focus should be on working together for the benefit of all Nebraskans, rather than allowing political divides to hinder progress.
To avoid a repeat of the previous session’s discord, the upcoming legislative session will begin with debates on legislative rules. Speaker John Arch and Clerk Brandon Metzler have proposed 21 rules aimed at making technical corrections, codifying precedents, and improving the legislative process. These rules are expected to be swiftly adopted. However, Sen. Steve Erdman has put forward nine proposed rules that are anticipated to spark contentious debate.
It is crucial for the Legislature to avoid getting bogged down in rule debates, as was the case in 2017, when a significant portion of the session was dedicated to this issue at the expense of addressing crucial matters.
Moving forward, Speaker Arch holds the responsibility of scheduling bills for debate and should prioritize non-divisive topics that align with the genuine concerns of Nebraskans. Among the key priorities identified in the survey are tax structure reform, adequate funding for public schools, addressing climate change impacts, criminal justice reform, and investments in workforce development and affordable housing.
By focusing on these pressing concerns, the Legislature has the opportunity to enact legislation that could truly benefit the state. It is time for the Legislature to concentrate on solving issues that affect all Nebraskans, rather than catering to a specific political base.
