Nebraska’s unique one house.
January marks the start of several things, many of them political in nature. In just a few days we’ll be watching the inauguration of a new United States President. The time reminds me that a few years ago I would have been packing my bags to go to our state’s Capitol to begin the legislative session as a state senator. The time is past but, as they say, the memory lingers on.
The Nebraska State Capitol
The pandemic will change many of the ways the senators operate. Masks will be necessary, I’m sure. The legislative chamber has been outfitted with plexiglass shields between each of the 49 senator chairs.
But one thing won’t change, and that’s the structure of this unique legislative body. Nebraska is the only state in the nation that has a one house, nonpartisan legislative body — the Nebraska Unicameral. That is to say, we are not elected as Democrats or Republicans. We run on a ticket that shows no party affiliation, and it’s simply the person who has the most votes who is declared the winner. As for how we operate, again it is on a nonpartisan basis. No conference committees built along party lines. All bills introduced receive a public hearing and are not squelched or held back by party politics. Every year other states visit our chamber to see how we operate. To date no other state has had the “courage” to adopt this unique form of government.
As a state senator, I served a district of about 12,000 constituents stretched over nine rural counties. When I wasn’t in a legislative session, I was traveling through those counties, visiting with citizens about their concerns and ideas. I also served as chair of the Education Committee, which meant dealing with over 200 school districts in the state, battling over a state budget, half of which went to education.
It was an interesting and sometimes exciting eight years of public service. But I had no desire to make a career of it. In fact, that’s not even possible now in Nebraska. Several years ago the voters decided they wanted term limits for state senators, limiting them to two consecutive four-year terms.
Of course a senator can sit out four years and choose to run again. A few are doing that, one in particular. Senator Ernie Chambers. When I think about longevity, staying fit and doing what you love for a very long time, Senator Chambers certainly comes to mind. He came to the Legislature in 1970, long before we had term limits, and served in that body for 38 years. Just this past year he was term limited for a second time. He’s 83 years old. One wonders if he’ll want to return for another session after four years. In his words, “if I believe that I could do something of value for the community that would send be down here.”
He is one of the most principled individuals I know. I was proud to have served with him, and I will always remember the day we voted to do away with the death penalty. It was something Senator Chambers had worked for all his years in the Unicameral. The celebration was short-lived though because later that year the voters went to the polls to overturn the ruling. Still, this senator, who calls his role a “champion of the down-trodden,” remains an icon in Nebraska politics. He has provided a lifetime of service that has made life better for Nebraskans.
There is value in public service, to be sure. And there’s nothing bad about making a career of it — if you’re doing it for the right reasons. I believe you’re elected to serve the people. Senator Chambers served his constituents. I hope I did the same with mine, offering time, dedication and a listening ear to work for legislation that I thought might make their lives a little better.
Discussing politics and politician brings a vast array of opinions which I don’t care to seek out or debate here. But I do appreciate reading and learning about some who have served. I’m reading Barack Obama’s memoir, “The Promised Land.” Our eldest daughter has begun a quest to read a book about each of the U.S. Presidents. She’s on George Washington now! A long way to go, but she will learn a lot in the process.
It is distressing and worrisome to see the political and partisan turmoil going on in our country right now, and it was heartbreaking to watch the devastation that took place in our nation’s Capitol. What does the future hold for us? Somehow we must come together, work together because we are all stronger together. It seems Abraham Lincoln is being quoted a lot these days, and I think we would be wise to remember his admonition:
A house divided against itself cannot stand.
Abraham Lincoln