There were smiles all around Thursday as the Nebraska Legislature ended its 2011 session 3 days early. Despite potentially contentious issues...redistricting, collective bargaining reform, and a nearly billion dollar budget deficit...lawmakers and Governor Dave Heineman had nothing but praise for each other.
The governor gave his traditional end-of-the-session talk just before the legislature adjourned sine die, and used the time to recount all the accomplishments of the session and to praise lawmakers for their "cooperative, productive relationship" that accomplished all his priorities for the year.
They passed the new two-year budget without raising taxes, relying on a combination of budget cuts, reserve funds, and higher than previous state revenue projections.
The session also gave the state's collective bargaining process its first major overhaul in 4 decades, drew new congressional and legislative districts to reflect last year's census, and made a major change in funding road projects by adding roughly $70 million a year in state sales tax revenue to fuel taxes and user fees in 2013.
While pleased by all of it, Governor Heineman told reporters after adjournment that the biggest accomplishment was the budget, saying work on the 2-year spending package started sooner and ended later than anytime in the past.
The governor was quick to emphasize that it was a collective effort between the legislative and executive branches that made all that possible.
Among the final bills passed by the legislature today were ones requiring notorized parental consent for a minor to receive an abortion...a step up from the current notification requirement...and the congressional and legislative redistricting bills. The governor signed both redistricting bills before lawmakers adjourned.
The congressional map was approved 32-15. It stretches the rural, deeply conservative 3rd District to the northeast and southeast borders of the state, and swaps Offutt Air Force Base and the town of Bellevue - an area with a large minority population - for the Republican-heavy Omaha suburbs in Sarpy County in the 2nd District.
The legislative map was approved with a 39-7 vote. It moves the 49th District to Omaha, expands the 47th District to include Sioux County, and splits Box Butte County between the 49th and 43rd.
Hemingford and the bulk of the land in the county go to the 47th while Alliance and a narrow eastern strip move with Dawes and Sheridan Counties into the 43rd...which will include all or parts of 13 counties.
Although the change in district boundaries take effect Friday, sitting senators...including the 49th's LeRoy Louden of Ellsworth...keep their seats until after next year's elections. Louden is term-limited at that time.
