Continuing the tone of civility set on Day One of the 2018 legislative session, Sen. Laura Ebke rose to address her colleagues and remind them of the “original intent†of the lawmaking body as outlined by George Norris more than eight decades ago.
“I think that history is important for us to keep in mind as we move into the future,†Ebke said.
She told a brief story about then-Sen. Norris, who advocated tirelessly for a unicameral system of government in the state before it was passed into law by a vote of the people in 1934, addressing the first session on Jan. 5, 1937.
Ebke distributed copies of Norris’ address Friday morning, asking her colleagues “to keep in mind what the citizens and the man who is viewed as the ‘Father of the Unicameral’ had in mind when they voted to amend the constitution to make us a one-house system.
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“You are members of the first legislature of Nebraska to hold your positions without any partisan political obligation to any machine, to any boss, or to any alleged political leader,†Ebke read from Norris’ speech.
Ebke split with the GOP last year after Gov. Pete Ricketts called out a number of Republican state senators by name who failed to support him or the party on issues before the officially nonpartisan Legislature.
The senator from Crete is seeking a second term as a Libertarian. Ricketts has backed her opponent, former Nebraska Family Alliance director Al Riskowski.
Noting Nebraskans “do not expect perfection,†Norris said the people of the state do expect “absolute honesty, unlimited courage, and a reasonable degree of efficiency and wisdom.â€
Nor do Nebraskans expect to agree with each action taken by the Legislature, nor do they expect that their lawmakers will agree with one another all the time, Ebke said.
“In fact, disagreement on things which are not fundamental is an evidence of courage and independence,†the speech read. “We expect an economical and efficient administration and, above all, an honest administration free from any partisan, bias, political prejudice, or improper motives.â€
Finishing the speech, Ebke implored her colleagues to think about Norris’ words as they proceed with the 60-day session.
“I believe it is our duty as their successors to try to live up to those ideals and I hope that in this session you’ll join me,†she said.
Many of the other senators on the floor applauded.