LINCOLN - Emotions usually get charged up during the closing days of a legislative session, but an unusually fiery speech from State Sen. Steve Lathrop about the growing partisanship in the Legislature drew applause Tuesday.

Lathrop, an attorney who usually keeps his emotions and speaking volume in check, grew incensed after nearly 30 last-minute amendments were filed by Gretna Sen. Andrew LaGrone in an attempt to kill Lathrop’s bill to give more prison inmates the opportunity for parole.

Legislative Bill 1004, Lathrop said, had the rare support of the state’s criminal prosecutors and the Omaha police union, because they know that inmates who are under parole supervision adjust to life outside prison better than those inmates who just serve out their time and walk out of prison. The proposal, he said, grew out of a suggestion from the head of the Nebraska Parole Board, Rosalyn Cotton.

LaGrone later withdrew his amendments, and LB 1104 easily advanced from first-round debate. But before that, Bayard Sen. Steve Erdman reminded Lathrop that he had filibustered one of his bills. So, Erdman said, don’t get so “righteous” when a senator seeks to kill your proposals.

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