Has the state of Nebraska gotten it right?
Nebraska is the only state in the union with a unicameral legislature.
Members of this legislative body are called Senators and are limited to two consecutive four year terms. The legislature consists of only 49 Senators and is non-partisan. That is, they do not list party affiliation on the ballot.
This has been proposed in at least 21 other states over the years but has failed to pass each time. I believe these proposals fail because politicians are loathe to vote themselves out of their cushy positions.
Is this a good idea for other states to adopt? What would be the pros and the cons.
2
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
5 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.The candidates don't list party affiliation on the ballot, and yet I assume they do have a party affiliation? That's a recipe for confusion.
Michigan has an elected Supreme Court whose candidates appear on the "non-partisan" section of the ballot, yet they are nominated at the party conventions. This is misleading, to say the least. I'm currently considering trying to start a petition drive for a ballot initiative which would put these candidates on the partisan section of the ballot, or at least list the party that nominated them.
Paul4747
Level 8
Oct 3, 2020
0
I lived in a certain state for a number of years where a senator was a shoe-in for decades. His final years on the senate were spent sleeping or blathering. How effective can a representative be if someone has to wake them up to wipe drool off their chin?
Holysocks
Level 8
Oct 3, 2020
1
I think term limits with give a lot more power to lobbyists. Drafting bills and guiding them through the process is almost impossible without a mentor or a knowledgable lobbyist. With term limits mentors would be just as green in most instances as the new member making the lobbyist the power behind most actions. Limiting lobbyist access and influence as well as other monetary influences are the key in my books.
Lorajay
Level 9
Oct 3, 2020
3
You may be right. Thank you for thoughtful input.
Actually I had intended to discuss the wisdom of unicameral state legislatures so I edited out the reference to Federal terms.
I also wonder if new people in power would keep those same lobbyists from getting too deep into pockets.
@Holysocks I think Legislative rules are tricky enough the lobbyist would be the 1st person new legislators would go to.
My remarks are based on the knowledge and friendship I had with a lobbyist for ACLU. She didn't have the money to wine and dine so she created a book for the current rules of the legislative body and helped new legislators that way. As I'm sure you have suspected most legislation is actually written by lobbyist instead of legislators. CO sponsors are needed and the lobbyist lines them up.
I read of one state that term-limited its members of Congress. It passed and opponents took it to court. The court said the US Constitution sets Congressional terms and only Congress can limit its terms.
So you’re right. Congresscritters don’t want to limit their own terms.
yvilletom
Level 8
Oct 2, 2020
0
Nebraska has a stupid electorate so it doesn't matter.
barjoe
Level 9
Oct 2, 2020
1
Now there's thoughtful commentary.
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
Share this post
Categories
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.