Page 23 - John Arch News Today

Nebraska state senators have been doing a lot of just standing around and talking lately. Speaker John Arch says that's a good thing.

Sen. Mike McDonnell, a leader in the effort to build a new lake, says he believes "we will get there" after assuring Lincoln has access to an additional water supply.

Speaker John Arch said the Legislatures Rules Committee will meet Tuesday afternoon to try and decide on a package of rules to advance to the floor.

Former state Sen. Mike Hilgers is "getting to know people" in the attorney generals office, building relationships and getting up to speed on pending cases and investigations, he said.

Getting to agreement on committees wasnt easy, with several senators blasting a proposal to suspend the Legislatures rules to circumvent a filibuster preventing its passage.

Senators were sworn in and committee chairs elected by traditional secret ballots as the Nebraska Legislature opened for business.

State senators adopted the rules of the last legislative session on Day 1 of the 2023 session, which will guide the proceedings until permanent rules are set later this month.

The Nebraska Legislature began its 2023 session Wednesday, with talk of unity but hints of battles to come.

State senators elected a Republican to chair the education committee, unseating a Democrat from Fremont.

The Nebraska Legislature began its new session Wednesday with several new members, a new incoming Republican governor and nearly $1 billion in cash.