Krusin' the Capitol
By Nebraska State Senator Lowen Kruse
Special Session #3
Second Week
November 16, 2002
Hi
This job is heavy lifting! We met 7 minutes Wednesday, 10 minutes the next
day, and 22 minutes Friday. (The Judiciary met until 9:30 one night. I have
had other appointments and meetings each day.)
That will all change on Monday when we go until we drop. Should be done next
week. They are not likely to vote out of committee more than 4 of the 39
bills.
Senator Chambers sponsored (and wrote) 33 of them. The press missed a small
point on one of them. I saw in a couple accounts that one bill said "being
Ernie Chambers is a class one felony." Not. Being a SENATOR Ernie Chambers
is the supposed offense. It specifically states that when he can prove he is
no longer a senator the charge and penalty shall be dismissed. The hearing
drew two testifying in opposition. :o)
The hall whisper is that a quiet little agreement was negotiated by Chambers
and one or two more on committee. Let one bill through -- the one the
governor really wants -- and tube the rest.
The Committee has 8 members, is split 4-4 on letting anything out. A couple
on each side are adamant, but the rest have really struggled, especially with
the section that states this would apply to crimes already committed. The
governor REALLY wants that, so we will probably do it. A few think it could
work, but many feel we are digging a deeper hole. It is gut thought on
either side, as there is precedent for both positions.
Lethal injection will probably not make it. Sob. I don't get to have my fun
with the guillotine amendment. Howsomever (for those old enough to remember
Pogo), it will be back in regular session, I am sure.
I wondered in this space last week if the public support for the death
penalty has diminished. Got word this week it clearly has. In one
conservative Nebr. district, which would usually support the penalty, the
figure in favor 5 years ago was 85%. This past spring it was 55%. Which per
cent is what Gallup finds nationally in favor of death in the question:
"Which do you prefer: Death Penalty or Life in Prison without parole?" As
people get up to speed on the legal issues the percentage will drop more.
At present we do not have the option of life in prison without possibility of
parole. I hope we can fix that this coming week. The statute would say the
Parole Board cannot even consider the case unless there is evidence the
person may be innocent or s/he is too infirm to be a danger. At present, if
no parole and a person becomes bedfast while in prison we have to get into
the nursing home business. Expensive.
I was recently chosen as the one to represent the body in helping to orient
the new senators. Did that this week in one of those slow days. Impressive
group. We all agreed they will dumped on with terrible choices this winter,
in a way unlike any incoming class for at least 40 years.
One of the pray-ers this week said in prayer that God had charged us with
heavy responsibilities. So GOD is the one who caused all this?? I thought
God got rid of chaos in creation. My neighbor whispered, "That is o.k. as
long as God does not try to collect on the charges."
One senator prayed simply: "God, we are just here and we just are not sure
just what to do."
God Bless
Lowen
Back to Top
Krusin the Capitol Index
Home Page
|
