Thread by @NebraskaFreedom

Today is the first day of the One Hundred Eighth Nebraska Legislature! For those unfamiliar, Nebraska is unique compared to other states because its body is a Unicameral. Business for today will include election of committee chairpersons as well as setting the framework of rules!

There will be a host of other things transpiring today as well & we are looking forward to hopefully seeing some BDE from some of our newly elected state senators. Check back with us after 10am CT as we will be bringing you live updates with that NFC flair! #nebraska #legislature

We are live on site at the state Capitol! Getting ready for things to get started in just about 15 minutes

First order of business for the day - small backpacks, such as the one on the left, are not allowed in the balcony viewing area. Large tote type bags on the right, which are even bigger, are perfectly acceptable 👍 cognitive dissonance for the win again!

With all due respect for the Nebraska Legislature, there seems to be an awful lot of paper shuffling and exchanging going on, seemingly taking more time to organize said paper than actually executing business. Just an observation. Plant a tree here! onetreeplanted.org/products/plant…

Great to see newly appointed state senator Beau Ballard on the floor (longtime Hilgers confidant, replacing him)! Hopefully Beau is ready and willing to inject some youthful energy and vigor into fighting for conservative causes and not just be a go along get along type! @NEGOP

Other guests on hand today include newly elected Public Service Commissioner Eric Kamler, @dcrponline chairman Chris Routhe, @LCRPNE chairman Samuel Lyon, @NEGOP political director Todd Watson, members of Nebraska Family Alliance, and @DebforNebraska Campaign manager Derek Oden.

Senator John Arch now speaking, giving credence to his capability as potential new Speaker... Senator Rita Sanders motions to close vote. The aye's have it:

Senator John Arch unanimously voted as Speaker of the Legislature. Congratulations!

Senator Suzanne Geist in the house! One has to wonder what it may be like executing the duties and responsibilities of a State Senator while also running for Lincoln mayor! Good luck, Senator Geist!

Also, you can tune in here nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/watch/world…

Watch who votes for public/private votes later today!

With all due respect, again, we're an hour in and half the state senators haven't had to do much other than enjoy their coffee's. It has been many of the same senators making most of the motions also. On to the elections for committee chairpersons >

If you ever wondered what may qualify you to be the chairperson of a committee, look no further than the banking, commerce and insurance committee for example: Evidently if your mom works for a bank, BOOM, you're qualified 👍😂

Thus far:
Chair of Agriculture = Senator Halloran LD 33
Chair of Appropriations = Senator Clements LD 2
Chair of Banking, Commerce and Insurance = Senator Slama LD 1

All by acclamation. #NELeg

And just moments ago, Merv Riepe of LD 12 was elected by acclamation to Chair of Business and Labor!

We've moved to the first contest for a chair between Dave Murman of LD 38 vs Lynne Walz of LD 15 for Education Committee. Senator Walz giving a lengthy oration...

#NELeg

Senator Murman wins chair of Education Committee handily, 32-17! 💯

Senator John Lowe takes over for Senator Bostleman for the committee on General Affairs.

Senator Tom Brewer 💪🦅 of course becomes chair for government, Military, & Veterans Affairs.

Senator Ben Hanson 👍 is named chair of Health & Human Services!

Things moving along nicely..

Senator Sanders motioning for many votes to close:

Senator Justin Wayne is confirmed as chair of the Judiciary by acclamation. It seems there was broad support for Senator Wayne.

We respect Senator Wayne and look forward to him spearheading this committee & the work ahead.

Senatoe Bostleman is named chair of natural resources committee.

Senator McDonnell is named chair of Nebraska Retirement Systems.

Senator Linehan is again named chair of the Revenue Committee. She likes this Committee... a lot!

All three voted by acclamation 💁‍♂️

We are now onto the Transportation and Telecommunications committee chairperson..

Senators Brandt, Moser, and Geist are all seeking the nomination.

One has to wonder why Senator Geist is seeking a chairperson position while she's at the same time campaigning for another office

In a show of zero doubt by her colleagues, Senator Geist easily wins T&T chair with 29 votes

Senator McKinney has been named chair of the Urban Affairs committee.

Senator Erdman squared off with John Cavanaugh for rules committee chair...

Well love Senator Edman 👏 congratulations to him on being named chair of the rules committee with 33 votes!!

Last but not least, good old Bumbling Bob Evnen presents election returns. Pudding time is @ 1:30 at Legacy Retirement Community & we imagine he'll head in for his nap thereafter.
Secretary Evnen lost the confidence & vote of a majority of Republicans in the primary last year 👍

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