LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have finished their session having passed major legislation to lower taxes, reduce prison crowding and pay for water conservation projects.
But the session that ended Thursday was also marked by drawn-out squabbles over seemingly trivial issues, and a failure to expand Medicaid under the federal health care law.
Many bills were killed through legislative filibusters, despite apparent support from a majority of senators in some cases. Opponents used the tactic to derail Medicaid expansion, a repeal of Nebraska's helmet law, an anti-discrimination law for gay employees, a change in Nebraska's redistricting process and legislation that would allow civilian watch groups to patrol neighborhoods with flashing amber lights.
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