For our user agree- ment, click here . N ebraska's one-house, nonpartisan Legislature adjourned almost two months ago. I had the opportunity to watch the final month of the session in Lincoln, some of the time at home on public television, as every second the legislature is in session, its proceedings are broadcast statewide. Nebraska has a far better system of making laws than Oregon. In a system in which every member of the Legislature can debate and vote on each bill three times before it becomes law, the public's business is discussed rationally and in detail.
Debate focuses on the merits and shortcomings of proposed laws.
Unlike Salem, no one is worried about which party will win the next election and thus rule the next Legislature. This year, eight of the 49 were newcomers. Without term limits, the median length of service is six years. The election itself is nonpartisan, though candidates' registration is public record. Legislators unanimously elected a Republican to a second term as speaker, then chose Democrats to lead several key committees, including revenue and education.