LINCOLN- Following a particularly tumultuous and bitter legislative session, Sen. Danielle Conrad stated that she believes the Legislature, despite its recent challenges, is divided but not fully broken, and that it hasn't been irreparably damaged by the sharp party divides, the onslaught of filibusters, or the weary late-night sessions. "Very few senators was a repeat of the 2023 session," said Conrad, "We have nowhere to go but up and to go up together."

Conrad acknowledged that the sharpest divisions, and perhaps the ones that bent the legislature the most this year, concerned human rights, especially those related to "parental rights and access to medical care." Despite the division created by bills like LB574, Sen. Kauth's controversial gender-affirming care ban, Conrad believes that, because of Nebraska's unique non-partisan, one-house Legislature, personal relationships will be mended as lawmakers inch closer towards the 2024 session.

Indeed, because of its nonpartisan nature, Conrad sees the Legislature as a "firewall from the most radical politics," and believes it serves as "a moderating force" at a time when national politics have launched into an explosive battleground. "Nebraskans are right of center," acknowledge Conrad, "but not interested in partisan dysfunction." Despite the painful and challenging 2023 legislative session, Conrad believes it will be an outlier in Nebraska's history, and will not become the norm.

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