A Resolution to Require A Public Vote of Legislative Committee Chairs

Lancaster County Republican Party

September 17th, 2015

WHEREAS the members of the Unicameral are elected by the voters of Nebraska; and

WHEREAS the citizens of Nebraska entrust their elected senators to conduct the state’s business in an open and transparent manner; and

WHEREAS under Nebraska’s unique one-house system the voters are regarded as the “second” house;” and

WHEREAS secret election of committee chairs violates the fundamental precept of unicameralism that the citizens are the “second house;” and

WHEREAS George W. Norris, the father of the Unicameral, said, "Every act of the legislature and every act of each individual must be transacted in the spotlight of publicity;" and

WHEREAS Unicameral committee chairs are currently determined by secret ballot, and

WHEREAS committee chairs have a significant bearing on the actions of the Legislature, and

WHEREAS secret elections prevent Nebraska voters from being able to evaluate their elected state senators on all their decisions and votes, and

WHEREAS secret election of committee chairs violates the fundamental precept of unicameralism that the citizens are the “second house;” and

WHEREAS secret election of committee chairs violates the principle of transparency in government, and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lancaster County Republican Party strongly supports the open and transparent election of all Unicameral committee chairs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lancaster County Republican Party calls upon state senators to open all future Unicameral committee chair elections to a transparent process wherein their votes are publicly disclosed and recorded.

Approved - 9/17/15

CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATOR AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO SUPPORT TRANSPARENCY IN THE LEGISLATURE.