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Nebraska’s Bicameral Legislature

Usually when you think about Nebraska’s Unicameral legislature, you think that the Unicameral has always been used, right? Wrong! Nebraska, just like the other forty-nine states, was a Bicameral legislature at one time.

 What is Unicameralism?

The Webster’s New World Dictionary defines Unicameral as “of or having a single legislative chamber”. Whereas most governments (state and national) have a senate and a house of representatives, a Unicameral Government only has one legislative body.(1) There are many places where a unicameral form of government can be found. “The one-house system differs little from most city, county and school district governing bodies.”(2)

When Nebraska joined the United States in 1867, its government started off just like the other states at the time with a Bicameral legislature. The bicameral government lasted only for the first 67 years of the states history. It consisted of a House of Representatives and a Senate. The main political parties, Democrats and Republicans, were represented at this time, just like most state legislatures are today. Bills and laws would be brought up in the House of Representatives, voted on, and sent over to the Senate for the final vote. That fact can make passing laws difficult, since both parties do not always agree or cooperate. This was one of the main reasons why Nebraska’s legislature changed to Unicameral. The man responsible for promoting a Unicameral legislature was George Norris, a U.S. Senator from McCook, Nebraska. He did not approve partisan voting, so, he wanted a Unicameral government that would function as non-partisan. This means that Legislators would have no party identification (article, p.C11). In other words, the Legislators would be elected purely on their merits, not on party standing. Another factor that strongly influenced the change was money. The Dust Bowl and the Great Depression had just ravaged Nebraska, leaving the economy in shambles. Also, the change to Unicameral-ism would be cheaper. This is due to the fact that there would be only forty-nine Legislators total, instead of the hundreds of House and Senate members from before (article, p.C11). In 1934, Norris’ idea finally was achieved and Nebraska became a Unicameral legislature. The current location of the Unicameral legislature in the capitol is where the former House of Representatives chamber resided. This would be on the west side of the rotunda. On the ceiling, there are three lower beams, each with artwork in gold leaf representing a different nation that had influences with the founding of Nebraska. The first beam has pictures of lions and castles, representing Spain, the second beam has the French “fleur-de-lis” (the Saints Football Team’s logo), representing France, and the third beam has shields and eagles, representing America (article, p.C11). On the opposite side of the where the Unicameral presently resides, is the former Senate chamber on the east side of the rotunda. Since it is currently not used in the legislature, the capitol uses it as an auditorium. It still has the original chairs, desks, lamps, and even the voting panel with the names from the last Nebraska Senate session on the board. The doors that lead to the East and West Chambers are Egyptian and Assyrian depictions of “The Planting of the Tree of Life,” made by Hildreth Meiere. They both depict a couple planting the tree, with each set of doors having different interpretations. The Senate doors show the Tree of Life being giant stalks of corn, whereas the House (or Unicameral) doors show the Tree of Life being similar to more ornate Assyrian artwork. The doors also relate to the overall themes of each room: the Senate Chamber has a Native American theme, for example, the murals on the ceiling, and the House Chamber has a more ornate theme, for example, the ceiling beams.

Nebraska’s Switch to Unicameralism

Ideas for a unicameral government occurred many years before it was actually implemented. In 1913, a Nebraska committee performed a study on the two forms of legislature, unicameral and bicameral, and “filed a report in favor of the unicameral system, but no further action was taken.”(5) George Norris was later campaigned for issue in the 1930's saying “…the two house system was outdated, inefficient and unnecessary.”(2) According to Norris, Americans got the idea for two separate houses from the British Parliament, who govern our once mother country. He did not understand why we were still following their form of government after becoming independent from their ruling. “‘…there is no sense or reason in having the same thing done twice, especially if it is to be done by two bodies of men elected in the same way and having the same jurisdiction,’ Norris said.”(2) This idea of Norris's makes complete sense. Any group with a bicameral legislature is essentially electing two people to do the exact same job. They are just giving themselves different titles. Even though they have known for almost a century that unicameral-ism is a better form of government. It was not until 1934 when “a constitutional amendment was submitted to the people of Nebraska and Senator Norris successfully led the fight for its adoption.”(5) The results of the election were:  “286,086 for and 193,152 against a unicameral system.”(2)  This overwhelming majority allowed the State of Nebraska to become currently, the only state in the country with only one legislative body. “Nebraska’s unicameral legislature met for its first session on January 5, and adjourned on May 15, 1937.”(5)

Benefits

There were many positive differences after the switch to a unicameral legislature. The number of legislators and committees were greatly reduced. This allowed the cost to decrease from $202,593 in 1935 to $103,445 in 1937. The state was saving almost $100,000 annually from this change of structure. The legislature also became more time efficient. They spent 12 fewer days in session. There were almost half as many bills submitted and more bills were passed than in previous sessions.(2) Throughout our country there are many political parties: Republicans, Democrats, Independents, etc. When elections occur, many people will vote for an individual who belongs to their same party. Now that Nebraska is Unicameral they have also become Nonpartisan. This means that when it comes to voting, the candidate’s party is not listed. By not listing parties on the ballot, electors are forced to understand what each individual represents and how they feel about current issues.(2)

Nebraska and Unicameralism today

Nebraska’s Unicameral Legislature is still going strong today. The legislators are being selected by nonpartisan rules. There are fewer bills to discuss, and discussions only occur in one chamber. The people are happy with what the legislature is doing because there is more time for discussion on the bills so they will have better content and better fit what the people want and need. The state of Nebraska may be acting as a role model for other states. As time goes on there has been more discussion throughout the country of the benefits of having a unicameral legislature. If other states decide to make the switch also they may turn to Nebraska for help and guidance.

References 1) Agnes, Michael. Webster's New World Dictionary, Forth Edition.2003. pg704 2) "History of the Nebraska Unicameral." Nebraska Legislature. The official site of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature. http://nebraskalegislature.gov/about/history_unicameral.php 3) Massicotte, Louis. Legislative Unicameralism: A Global Survey and a Few Case Studies. The Journal of Legislative Studies Vol. 7, Issue 1, 2001. pg 151-170. DIO 10.1080/714003865 4) Dunlaney, Michael S. The Nebraska Legislature: A Brief History. History of the Unicameral. NCSA (Nebraska Council of School Administration). http://schoolfinance.ncsa.org/unicameral/index.htm 5) Modern Agitation for Unicameral Legislatures. COngressional Digest. Aus/Sept. 1937 Vol. 16, Issue 8/a. pg 203-206. 6) Wyatt/ Tourism Aid of Nebraska Capitol, Jamison. "Nebraska Capitol." Personal interview. 25 Feb. 2012. Interview on Nebraska State Capitol about basic knowledge of Nebraska's foundation and the Unicameral and Bicameral.

Representation of Unicameralism in the Capitol building

[[File:The Spirit of Nebraska.JPGGeorge Norris Legislative Chamber.JPG George Norris bust.JPGGeorge Norris.JPGSculptor of George Norris bust.JPGEast Chamber doors.JPGOnce potential Nebraska seal.JPG