The 102nd Session of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature Convenes
Posted January 5, 2011
The 102nd Session of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature Convenes
Legislative Update - January 5, 2011
Today is the first day of what will undoubtedly be a very tedious long session. As the Legislature convened today there was typical fanfare as colleagues and friends reunited, new senators were sworn in and committee chairs were elected. Behind that cheerful façade the issues facing this Legislature loomed large. The number one issue facing this body, the administration and effected parties is the estimated $986 million revenue shortfall. Nebraska is undoubtedly in a better position than most states, but we will face decreased spending and the potential of eliminating some programs.
Governor Heineman’s proposed budget bills will be introduced to the Legislature on January 13th. The Governor has stated that he expects K-12 education to take some of the burden in the way of reduced funding, but other agencies, institutions and programs will face cuts. The Appropriations Committee has been working through the interim and has received recommendations from other standing committees regarding potential cuts through the LR 542 process. They will continue to meet and discuss options before their budget bills must be brought before the whole body on April 27th. It is expected that the Legislature will devote its time to debating the budget bills and K-12 education funding from April 28th until May 17th. Between now and May 17th the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Board will meet twice. The Board’s first meeting is scheduled for February 25th and a second meeting will take place in late April. These meetings will undoubtedly impact budget discussions and outcomes.
Another contentious issue to be dealt with this session includes congressional and legislative redistricting. Each of the 49 legislative districts must contain populations of 37,200 to 37,300. The Executive Board will appoint a nine-member redistricting committee, three state senators from each of the congressional districts - five from one party and four from another. That committee will bring plans to the full Legislature. Census numbers are expected to be received by April 1, and the Legislature will debate proposed legislation in late May.
This leaves the rest of the session to deal with other issues including immigration, Medicaid funding, roads funding, child welfare reform, prenatal care, the impact of the national healthcare reform, corrections, and changes to the Commission of Industrial Relations.
Members of the Legislature conducted elections of standing committee chairs this morning. The committee and elected chair are as follows: Agriculture - Carlson; appropriations - Heidemann; Banking, Commerce and Insurance - Pahls; Business and Labor - Lathrop; Education - Adams; General Affairs - Karpisek; Government, Military and Veterans Affairs - Avery ; Health and Human Services - Campbell; Judiciary - Ashford; Natural Resources - Langemeier; NE Retirement Systems - Nordquist; Revenue - Cornett; Transportation and Communication - Fischer; Urban Affairs – McGill. The Committee on Committees will work today to finalize committee assignments. A listing will be available on the Unicameral’s website tomorrow.
Following this memorandum you will find links to various item of interest and a link to the Unicameral’s website. If you have any questions or difficulty finding what you are looking for on the website, don’t hesitate to contact our office.
2011 List of Senators
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/senators/2011_roster.pdf
2011 Session Calendar
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/session/calendar.pdf
Daily Legislative Calendar
(Provides access to one-line descriptions of bills introduced, Daily Agendas, Hearing Schedules and more)
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/calendar/calendar.php
Unicameral Website
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/
