LINCOLN- Lawmakers can no longer give a “soft no” against ending debate or passing legislation during the Nebraska Legislature’s third and final stage of debate unless they have a conflict of interest. Most senators in the officially nonpartisan Legislature’s Republican majority backed a pared-down rules change Thursday from State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, passing it 31-17, but the measure had one Democratic backer: State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha, vice chair of the Rules Committee. She helped Kauth draft her amended proposal.

All but three Republicans supported Kauth’s proposal. Republican State Sens. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, Merv Riepe of Ralston, and Dave “Woody” Wordekemper of Fremont opposed the change. The narrow change adopted Wednesday will prevent senators from being “present, not voting” on procedural cloture motions to shut off extended filibusters during the final reading, as well as during the last votes on whether to send legislation to the governor for approval.

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