LINCOLN, Neb. – The effort to call a special legislative session focused on racial justice and pandemic relief has fallen short of the legal requirement.
State law requires the support of at least 33 state senators for the Nebraska Legislature to convene for a special session. According to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office, 14 state senators expressed support for the session. The cutoff for responses was today at 5 P.M.
ACLU of Nebraska Executive Director Danielle Conrad said the outcome underscores the courage of the state senators who initiated or supported the call and the lack of leadership shown by their colleagues.
“Addressing COVID-19 relief and advancing racial justice was the goal of this historic effort and the proper response amid a pandemic and a long overdue reckoning on race,” Conrad said. “A safer, freer Nebraska is not political and it’s not partisan. It’s disappointing more state senators weren’t willing to do all in their power to lead in this moment, to listen to their constituents, and to get back to work to make progress on these pressing matters.”
Nearly 20 local organizations joined the ACLU in calling for a special session. A full list of cosigners is available online.
Senators Machaela Cavanaugh, Ernie Chambers, Matt Hansen, Sara Howard, Megan Hunt, Rick Kolowski, John McCollister, Adam Morfeld, Patty Pansing Brooks, Tony Vargas and Justin Wayne formally submitted their call for a special session Aug. 31.
In Nebraska, previous special sessions have covered budget needs, the Keystone XL pipeline and issues with the state’s safe haven law.
State law allows Governor Ricketts to convene a special session through executive authority; however, a spokesperson has said the governor will not support the call for a special session.
