LINCOLN- The 2023 session of the Nebraska Legislature had an unprecedented string of debate-extending filibusters, as well as more night sessions than ever. As debate would often stretch past 11 p.m., pages and red-coated sergeants received many more hours than in past sessions. The legislative accounting office announced that costs for that group rose 23% this year compared to the last 90 day session in 2021.

Overtime payments for the clerk’s office, revisor of statutes, legislative fiscal office and sergeants of arms this year were more than double what was spent in 2021. The Nebraska State Patrol devoted 14% more hours. “There was a lot of strain on them this session,” State Sen. John Arch, the Speaker of the Legislature, of legislative staffers. “They’ve got work ethic like you wouldn’t believe,” said the Clerk of the Legislature, Brandon Metzler, of his staff’s willingness to work nights and rearrange schedules.

The night sessions continued every week starting March 28 and continued nearly every day. The exception was the last day of the week when lawmakers traditionally work through lunch and adjourn in early- or mid-afternoon to facilitate long drives home for rural senators. Lunch breaks at noon were shortened from 90 minutes to 60 minutes, to provide more time for floor debate. And a nightly supper break lasted only 30 minutes.

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