Here are eight things you should know as senators begin the 2008 legislative session.
NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Tuesday, January 8, 2008 6:00 pm
It’s that time of year: We’ve packed our Christmas ornaments, made our resolutions — and broken them — and now Nebraska’s 49 state senators are back in Lincoln for another round of lawmaking.
Here are eight things you should know as senators begin the 2008 legislative session Wednesday:
1. Short session. This is the short session of the two-year cycle — just 60 days of work expected to end April 17. This is also the second year of the lawmaking cycle, so the 307 bills that weren’t killed or passed last year are still hanging around.
2. Ernie’s last year. Unless he pulls a term-limit rabbit out of his hat, this is Sen. Ernie Chamber’s last session. But the Omaha veteran of 37 years — and one to go — seemed to acknowledge the inevitable this summer, when he said: “All things must end.”
3. Lame-duck senators. Another 14 senators are also being kicked out at the end of 2008 by term limits, a constitutional amendment voters approved in 2000. If the behavior of term-limited senators two years ago is a guide, many will sponsor fewer bills than in the past. And some will be more likely to vote their conscience, rather than cater to constituent majorities.
* In their last year: DiAnna Schimek of Lincoln; Carol Hudkins of Malcolm; Ron Raikes of Lincoln; John Synowiecki, Don Preister and Lowen Kruse of Omaha; Ray Janssen of Nickerson; Pat Engel of South Sioux City; Carroll Burling of Kenesaw; Ray Aguilar of Grand Island; Joel Johnson of Kearney; Dwite Pedersen of Elkhorn; Phil Erdman of Bayard; and Vickie McDonald of St. Paul.
4. New face. The Legislature has one new senator, Scott Lautenbaugh, an Omaha attorney and former Douglas County Election Commissioner appointed to fill Mick Mines’ seat. Mines resigned to become part of a public relations, lobbying and campaign management organization.
5. Early controversy. Expect debate early on a statewide smoking ban; the safe haven bill that would allow women to legally abandon newborns in hospitals; and an attempt to repeal the motorcycle helmet law. Senators may also tackle a bill allowing the state to oversee cell phone complaints.
6. On the horizon. Senators are also expected to tackle half a dozen other issues during the session.
* Death penalty. Chambers and others will try to repeal it.
* Roads. How to get more money for road building and maintenance.
* Water. Should Nebraska spend more money helping Republican River irrigators who need to send water to Kansas?
* Redistricting. Should the Legislature create a system for redrawing boundaries for state and federal elected offices after the next census, or let politics take over?
* Cloning ban. Senators could try to ban therapeutic cloning, if pro-life supporters get the bill out of committee and onto the floor.
7. Spending money. Gov. Dave Heineman will unveil his budget priorities for the $3.4 billion general fund annual budget Jan. 15. Senators will merely tinker with the budget this year, the second of the two-year cycle. And they’ll argue over how much of the $542 million cash reserve to save for the next downturn and how much to spend.
8. Keeping up. Watch legislative debate weekdays on NET2, Lincoln cable Channel 17. Find information about bills and their progress at www.nebraskalegislature.gov.
Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.