LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A proposal that could have allowed future Nebraska lawmakers to serve two consecutive six-year terms in office was rejected by senators Monday amid complaints that voters have already decided the issue.
The vote ensures that lawmakers will continue to serve no more than two consecutive four-year terms before they have to leave office.
Term limits went into effect in 2006 under a voter-approved constitutional amendment that limited lawmakers to two consecutive four-year terms. Voters overwhelmingly rejected a ballot measure in 2012 to extend the limit to three consecutive four-year terms.
Only 20 senators voted in favor of sending the issue to voters, and 22 voted against it. At least 30 yes votes were needed to place the question on the statewide 2016 ballot.
Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus said he introduced the alternative of two six-year terms because voters were never given the chance to decide a single term’s length. Schumacher said six-year terms could help lawmakers take a longer-term view on state policy, and he argued that it matches the time given to U.S. senators, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and other elected officials.
“This gives voters the chance to vote on something they have never voted on before,” he said.
Schumacher said the Legislature has relied on its senior staff for guidance on legislative procedures and institutional knowledge, but many of those employees are nearing retirement age.
Opponents said the measure sought to address a problem that doesn’t exist. Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte said six-year terms would force voters to wait longer to oust a politician who fails to represent their interests.
“The only thing I hear from the people is, ’Why are you doing this? Why is this even an issue?’” Groene said.
Term limits ushered in 17 new state senators this year, plus one who was appointed to replace former state Sen. Charlie Janssen after he was elected as state auditor.
Senators who leave office due to term limits are eligible to run again after sitting out a term, but only one - longtime Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha - has done so since 2006.
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