In particular, Norris claimed the conference committee system used by bicameral legislature s was tantamount to a third chamber and held all the real power in the process since disagreements between the two main chambers were resolved, usually in secret, by these committees. Norris believed other "evils" of bicameralism in state government included the election of legislators on a partisan basis and the facilitation of corrupt lobbyists who manipulate the two-house system.
The signature gathering process, which became the downfall of the effort, proved very successful on this attempt with a final signature tally of one and a half times the needed number. Most recently, Berens 25 attempted to sum up the four most likely factors. The first might have related to the economic situation faced by the state and nation as a whole. The Great Depression, which had already begun, was wreaking havoc on the farm economy and therefore increased the desire to see reductions in the overall cost of government.
The one-house legislature , it was believed, would reduce the total number of legislators and thereby reduce appropriations for legislative salaries. Norris' acclaim and respect among most Nebraska voters undoubtedly added credibility to the issue of unicameralism.
In addition to the "unicameral" amendment were amendments to repeal Prohibition and authorize pari-mutuel betting. All three amendments were adopted with wide margins of support. Therefore, some have asserted that the concept of a one-house legislature was "swept into law along with the fervor to get rid of Prohibition and make betting legal. Compounded by bad economic times, it appears that voters expected their state legislature to adapt to the circumstances of the day and meet the needs of the citizenry.
As a result, those legislators who opposed unicameralism may have actually contributed, unintentionally, to its rise and implementation. A nonpartisan legislature meant that candidates would not be permitted to list their party affiliation on the ballot and the two candidates receiving the most votes in the primary election would in turn face each other in the general election.
For instance, no legislative bill would be allowed to progress from floor deliberation to final enactment before at least five session days elapsed. This process began when the bicameral legislature met in for its last regular session. It was decided at this time that the body would consist of 43 members. The following year, , marked the first election process to select the charter members of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature. Thirty-two of the original unicameral members had served previously in the state's bicameral legislature.
Norris missed the opening of the U. Congress in order to give the first members of the Unicameral an "inspirational address on the opportunity they had to expand the horizons of representative government through the innovative device of unicameralism. On the fifth day of the first session January 11, , three members jointly offered a resolution for the purpose of giving a name to the new Legislature. Norris Legislative Chamber. There are three qualifications necessary to hold the office of state senator.
The individual must:. The most recent constitutional development involves the limitation on the number of terms a legislator may serve. In the Nebraska voters approved an amendment to limit lawmakers to two consecutive terms. The remainder of the roster included retirees, educators, and full-time senators. The same year Nebraska's unicameral legislature began operating, attempts in 21 other states to become one-house legislatures failed. Such efforts waned until the s when a Supreme Court ruling revived the movement.
The court ruled that both houses must be apportioned according to population, instead of one house according to population and the other house according to geographical lines. The Supreme Court ruling raised doubts about the necessity of having two houses based on population, stirring many states to evaluate their own systems.
Many states looked to Nebraska as a model of an effective one-house legislature. Nebraska officials visited many states to spread the word about unicameralism. Journalists and officials from other states also visited Nebraska. Where do I vote? How do I register to vote? How do I request a ballot? When do I vote?
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