For Release Wednesday, May 11, 2022


Capitol View
Commentary by J.L. Schmidt
Statehouse Correspondent
Nebraska Press Association
We DonÕt Know Where WeÕre Going É


 	We DonÕt Know Where WeÕre Going, but WeÕre on our Way.
      One of my late fatherÕs favorite songs, from long ago. But very fitting today with the primary election behind us.
      
The election is over, the results are well known.
The will of the people has clearly been shone.
So let bygones be bygones and evil thoughts passÉ

      Another of dadÕs favorites. I wonÕt finish it. You can plug in your favorite party mascot and use your imagination. But I digress.
      LetÕs move ahead to the task of supporting the peopleÕs choice, or not. ItÕs going to be an interesting four years, perhaps totally different than what we might have anticipated. The one thing we do know, Big Money was at play. It appears that people are more interested in buying the governorÕs office than building a strong platform and standing for it. LetÕs hope we can get past that.
      Then thereÕs the matter of 14 new faces in the 49-member Nebraska Legislature. Thirteen of those were planned and the death of a seated senator Š Rich Pahls of Omaha Š created an additional vacancy. A recent law change will allow anyone in PahlsÕ district who gathers 2,000 legitimate signatures of registered voters to appear on the ballot. That could be interesting.
      This is historic. The first time that law has been used. Moving forward with opportunity rather than being saddled with the choice of a lame duck governor. LetÕs embrace this.

For Release Wednesday, May 11, 2022 Š Page 2

      Just when it looked like it was going to be a smooth ride to the November election, talk of a special session of the Legislature has started. Given the leak in Washington Š the supposed Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade Š it has become apparent that states look to solidify their laws on abortion.
      While the nationÕs highest court tries to find out just who leaked the preliminary draft of an opinion Š an historic event that has never occurred in the courtÕs history Š battle lines are being formed state-by-state.
      In Nebraska, Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers would obviously like to call his colleagues together to consider his trigger bill which would take effect if Roe v. Wade Š which guarantees the constitutional right to abortion Š is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill was bogged down by filibuster during the recently completed session.
      Given that Hilgers is the next likely Nebraska Attorney General, heÕll deal with the issue in the future. HeÕd probably like to get this one on the books beforehand. Again, letÕs seize the opportunity as we move forward.
      We donÕt know where weÕre going, but we are moving forward.
      LetÕs learn to embrace progress.
 
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J.L. Schmidt has been covering Nebraska government and politics since 1979. He has been a registered Independent for more than 20 years.