LINCOLN- The Nebraska Legislature opened its 90-day 'long session' on Wednesday and will surely be an unusual one. There are three needs that need to be met this session. Protection of lawmakers, staff and the public from COVID-19. Building trust between lawmakers and the public and responsible leadership by new committee chairs and the speaker.

The threat of COVID is still very real and public health must be a top priority. It is possible that an extended recess will be taken to provide time for lawmakers and their staff to be vaccinated. The atmosphere in the Capitol has been very strained in recent years. Some partisan-minded Senators have made it harder for the officially non-partisan Unicameral to function. All members, regardless of party, must be open to forming relationships on both sides of the aisle in order to best serve constituents.

The new speaker, Sen. Hilgers, will be a key person to form those relationships needed to be successful in this 2021 session.

"The Legislature has much work ahead if these three key needs are to be met and success achieved for the 2021 session."

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