Constitutional amendment would end unicameral experiment in Nebraska

In accordance with a 1981 state legislation, Jan. 5 is designated annually as George W. Norris Day in Nebraska.

The distinctive vacation is put aside “in recognition of the numerous nice advantages bestowed upon the folks of the State of Nebraska and america as a complete” by Norris, a “New Deal Republican” who referred to as McCook house.

First amongst these advantages, not less than in Nebraska state legislation, is the institution of “a nonpartisan unicameral legislative physique” within the Cornhusker state, the one one in all its type because it was applied in 1937.

A proposed constitutional modification that shall be launched on Thursday — the primary day senators can introduce laws within the 108th Legislature — would revert Nebraska’s legislative department to a time earlier than Nebraska voters accepted Norris’ imaginative and prescient for a one-house legislature.

Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard stated Wednesday he plans to introduce the measure to revert Nebraska to a bicameral legislative physique, saying it could end in higher illustration for rural elements of the state.

These areas have misplaced political energy as half of Nebraska’s inhabitants has concentrated in Lincoln, Omaha and the encompassing areas, Erdman stated, with that pattern anticipated to proceed sooner or later.

The redistricting course of accomplished in 2021 moved one legislative district from central Nebraska to Omaha however prevented the prediction that two seats could possibly be moved from rural to city areas.

The plan to finish the unicameral type of authorities is supported by the Nebraska GOP, which in 2022 included in its platform a plank calling for a “return to a bicameral legislature whereby the higher home has fewer members however bigger territorial areas to incorporate a extra various set of pursuits within the legislative course of.”

Erdman stated his proposal would add a second home to the Legislature with 31 members who characterize three counties every, together with a decrease home with 62 members representing districts apportioned by inhabitants.

The 2 homes would operate as a greater examine on each other than the present system, the place the folks of Nebraska are known as “the second home.” Erdman stated the folks not often have the chance to vote on petitions or referendums, and are not prone to make a dent in lawmakers’ pondering by testifying throughout committee hearings.

Whereas he stated a bicameral legislature would higher characterize the curiosity of Nebraskans, significantly these from areas west of Lincoln, Erdman stated he doesn’t suppose his proposal stands an opportunity of getting out of committee, a lot much less be debated by the total Legislature or put to a vote of the folks.

“I’m not naïve to suppose the folks dwelling within the east are going to say it is a good thought as a result of the unicameral works actually good for them,” Erdman stated.

He additionally desires folks to know not all Nebraskans suppose extremely of Norris, who is claimed to have worn out two units of tires driving throughout the state to advocate for the unicameral legislature.

Every session, senators usually learn a speech delivered by Norris on the primary day of the one-house Legislature. Norris, who was first elected to the U.S. Home of Representatives in 1902, later served 5 phrases within the U.S. Senate, altering his occasion from Republican to impartial in 1936. 

“All people worships George Norris like he was one thing particular — he wasn’t,” Erdman stated. “He was very liberal, probably the most liberal senator within the U.S. Senate. His mission wasn’t honorable.”