Eight newly elected members were sworn in and a new speaker and chairpersons were selected for the Legislature’s 14 standing committees.
Senator Mike Hilgers was elected to serve a two-year term as speaker of the Legislature.
Hilger stated he wants to make sure the Unicameral’s process and culture are strengthened to be able to meet current challenges and work toward a better future for all Nebraskans.
District 15 Senator, Lynne Walz, (pictured at the State Capitol above), unseated incumbent Senator Mike Groene of North Platte in a close vote 25-23 to become the Education Committee chairperson.
Walz touched on her background stating that she will be able to bring a valuable perspective to the role due to her former positions as a teacher, school board member, and also a parent of children who attended Nebraska schools. She ensured senators that she plans to listen to all views and include everyone’s voices in education policy discussions.
Incumbent Senator Matt Hansen of Lincoln was defeated by District 16 Senator, Ben Hansen, to serve as chairperson of the Business and Labor Committee.
Hansen said he plans to use his firsthand knowledge of how the Legislature’s actions affect businesses and municipalities and his experience in business and in local government to help guide him as the chairperson of the committee. Hansen said he will work to find a proper balance between free-market principles and government regulation.
The 90-day session will be spent creating a two-year state budget and redrawing legislative and other district boundaries based on population changes shown in the 2020 U.S. Census. Senators will be allowed to introduce new bills for the first 10 legislature days and Governor Ricketts will give his State of the State address on January 14. The session is tentatively scheduled to adjourn on June 10.
Live coverage of the legislative session is available at www.NebraskaLegislature.gov. Information can also be found on bills, the legislative calendar, and Nebraska state senators.
Senator Mike Hilgers was elected to serve a two-year term as speaker of the Legislature.
Hilger stated he wants to make sure the Unicameral’s process and culture are strengthened to be able to meet current challenges and work toward a better future for all Nebraskans.
District 15 Senator, Lynne Walz, (pictured at the State Capitol above), unseated incumbent Senator Mike Groene of North Platte in a close vote 25-23 to become the Education Committee chairperson.
Walz touched on her background stating that she will be able to bring a valuable perspective to the role due to her former positions as a teacher, school board member, and also a parent of children who attended Nebraska schools. She ensured senators that she plans to listen to all views and include everyone’s voices in education policy discussions.
Incumbent Senator Matt Hansen of Lincoln was defeated by District 16 Senator, Ben Hansen, to serve as chairperson of the Business and Labor Committee.
Hansen said he plans to use his firsthand knowledge of how the Legislature’s actions affect businesses and municipalities and his experience in business and in local government to help guide him as the chairperson of the committee. Hansen said he will work to find a proper balance between free-market principles and government regulation.
The 90-day session will be spent creating a two-year state budget and redrawing legislative and other district boundaries based on population changes shown in the 2020 U.S. Census. Senators will be allowed to introduce new bills for the first 10 legislature days and Governor Ricketts will give his State of the State address on January 14. The session is tentatively scheduled to adjourn on June 10.
Live coverage of the legislative session is available at www.NebraskaLegislature.gov. Information can also be found on bills, the legislative calendar, and Nebraska state senators.
