Walz Defeats Groene as Chairperson of Education Committee
Ten incumbent chairs of Nebraska Legislature’s 14 standing committees were reconfirmed last Wednesday, but two committees saw the ousting of incumbent leaders in favor of newcomers.
Fremont Sen. Lynne Walz unseated Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte to serve as Education Committee chairperson, and Blair Sen. Ben Hansen defeated incumbent Sen. Matt Hansen of Lincoln to serve as chairperson of the Business and Labor Committee.
As a former teacher, school board member and parent of children who attended Nebraska schools, Walz said that she will bring a valuable perspective to the role. She said senators can expect her to listen to their views and include all voices in education policy discussions.
“Education touches on each and every aspect of our lives,” Walz said. “It is the key to strengthening our economy and providing opportunities for people who make Nebraska their home.”
Hansen said that he would work to find a proper balance between free market principles and government regulation. He said his experience in business and in local government have given him firsthand knowledge of how the Legislature’s actions affect businesses and municipalities.
Senators gathered at the State Capitol last Wednesday to open the first session of the 107th Nebraska Legislature. The body welcomed eight newly elected members, including three senators who had previously served but left office due to term limits. Lincoln Sen. Mike Hilgers was elected to serve a two-year term as speaker of the Legislature.
Hilgers said he would work to strengthen the body’s process and culture to ensure it can meet current challenges and work toward a better future.
“You have my commitment to do everything I can to make this place run right,” Hilgers said. “And maybe if it runs right, it will unleash the creative energies and talents of every one of you, who speak for thousands of others in your communities.”
Lawmakers chose Sen. Dan Hughes of Venango as chairperson of the Executive Board, which oversees legislative services and employees.
Hughes, who was uncontested, said his six years on the board have shown him how important it is in helping the Legislature function.
“This is the highest profile institution of state government there is,” he said. “It’s extremely important that we do our job professionally – in a timely fashion – so that we maintain that trust with the citizens of the state of Nebraska.”
Omaha Sen. Tony Vargas was reelected as the Executive Board’s vice chairperson, fending off a challenge from Sen. Julie Slama of Peru.
Sen. Bruce Bostelman of Brainard defeated Creighton Sen. Tim Gragert in a contest to replace Hughes as chair of the Natural Resources Committee.
Bostelman said he will be a fair and effective leader whose four years of experience as vice chairperson would ensure that the committee gives full consideration to each bill it hears. He said he is an outdoor enthusiast who appreciates the state’s waterways, landscapes and wildlife.
“We must preserve these resources while providing opportunities in their enjoyment and utilization,” Bostelman said.
In an uncontested race, lawmakers chose La Vista Sen. John Arch as chairperson of the Health and Human Services Committee.
The 10 incumbent chairpersons who were reelected were:
• Hastings Sen. Steve Halloran – Agriculture;
• Gering Sen. John Stinner – Appropriations;
• Gothenburg Sen. Matt Williams – Banking, Commerce and Insurance;
• Albion Sen. Tom Briese – General Affairs;
• Gordon Sen. Tom Brewer – Government, Military and Veterans Affairs;
• Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop – Judiciary;
• Seward Sen. Mark Kolterman – Nebraska Retirement Systems;
• Elkhorn Sen. Lou Ann Linehan – Revenue;
• Henderson Sen. Curt Friesen – Transportation and Telecommunications;
• Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne – Urban Affairs.
The agenda for the 90-day session includes creating a two-year state budget and redrawing political boundaries based on population changes reflected in the 2020 census. Lawmakers are expected to consider legislation related to pandemic recovery, the construction of a new state prison, police oversight and public school funding, among other priorities.
Senators may introduce new bills for the first 10 legislative days, or until Jan. 20. Gov. Pete Ricketts is scheduled to give his State of the State address Jan. 14. The session is tentatively scheduled to adjourn June 10.
Live coverage of the session is provided at nebraskalegislature.gov, where the public also may find information on bills, the calendar and state senators. Nebraska NET provides live video streaming of proceedings.
This report was adapted from an article by the Clerk of the Legislature’s Nebraska Unicameral Information Service. Find more articles or sign up for daily alerts from the news service at update.legislature.ne.gov.
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