LINCOLN- When state senators gather in Lincoln next month to start the 109th Nebraska Legislature, nearly two-thirds of those lawmakers will have two years of experience or less in the Capitol. Thirteen senators will be forced out next year due to term limits, while four others either chose not to seek reelection or lost their races this fall. In their place will be 16 newly minted senators, along with once and future Sen. Dan Quick of Grand Island, who returns to the Legislature after a four-year break.

The outgoing lawmakers will take with them a combined 127 years of experience. The remaining senators will have a combined 131 years of experience. To stem the loss of institutional knowledge, as well as ease the transition of new senators, Speaker John Arch of La Vista and other lawmakers and legislative staff have sought to expand and deepen the orientation process, relying on former members to bring the "freshmen" up to speed. Before Thanksgiving, the incoming state senators convened at the Capitol for several days of seminars and hands-on practice, giving them a peek at what they can expect when the gavel strikes at 10 a.m. on Jan. 8.

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