Nebraska lawmakers are fed up after 3-week filibuster, want rules to change

Nebraska’s state legislators have become exasperated following a three-week filibuster, prompting calls for a revision of the rules governing the legislative process.

The filibuster, which began on May 16, was the longest in the state’s history, and concluded on June 8. Its duration has generated a wave of discontent among lawmakers, who have voiced their dissatisfaction with the current system and its ability to enable lengthy debates.

“This filibuster has been an example of why Nebraska needs to look at rules that will make the process more efficient,” said Senator Tom Brewer of Gordon. “We are a unicameral legislature and that means we don’t have the ability to move through debate in the same manner as a bicameral legislature. We need to look at ways to make sure that the legislative process doesn’t get bogged down in lengthy debates.”

The filibuster was held in an effort to block a bill that would have allowed certain local governments to provide financial incentives to businesses that create jobs in the state. It dragged on for 22 days, with little progress being made until the bill’s sponsors agreed to limit the number of amendments that could be proposed.

Many lawmakers have expressed their frustration with the current state of affairs, and have called for reforms that would prevent such lengthy delays in the future.

“It’s clear that the filibuster was an example of how the current system is broken,” said Senator John Stinner of Gering. “We need to look at ways to make sure that our process is more efficient and that we are able to move through debate more quickly. We can’t have this kind of delay every time there is a controversial bill.”

The filibuster has caused legislators to take a hard look at the rules governing their deliberations and consider ways to prevent similar delays in the future. While the exact form of these reforms is yet to be determined, it is clear that change is needed if the state legislature is to be able to efficiently handle the business of the people.