Nebraska Democratic Party: Unicameral Overrides Gov's Veto on LB 39

Unicameral Overrides Gov's Veto on LB 39

Feb 18, 07:19 PM CST

Despite the Heineman Machine’s best efforts, LB 39 –– a measure aimed at putting Nebraska’s petition process back in the hands of Nebraskans –– became law after the Legislature overrode the Governor’s veto today.

Matt sent out this statement after the vote:

“The override vote is just the latest example of the Governor thinking he can twist enough arms in the Legislature to get his way. Last session we saw him do this to thwart property tax relief and funding for Meals on Wheels, and he thought this session would be no different. I’m glad to see at least a few Republican senators joined their Democratic colleagues in putting principles before party.”

LB 39 was introduced by Democratic State Senator DiAnna Schimek in response to the petition debacle of 2006. The measure passed by a vote of 31-14 on February 6 but was vetoed by Governor Heineman a week later. The bill requires all petition gatherers to be Nebraska residents and to be of legal voting age. It also bans the practice of paying petition gatherers on a per-signature basis, removing incentives for aggressive and inappropriate behavior by signature collectors.

The Governor came close to getting his way. Republican Senators Wightman, Pahls, and Cornett switched their votes –– two weeks after initially supporting the bill –– just to get on Governor Heineman’s good side. Fortunately the override was able to garner the 30 votes it needed.

All 15 Democratic Senators voted to override the veto.

– by Eric Van Horn | Send this to a friend

Perhaps Nebraska’s Democrats never thought of this, though I think that’s unlikely, but this bill now makes your state one of the most difficult in which to get an independent or minor party candidate on the ballot, and all that does is reduce choice for voters on election day.

I see no problem, and neither do most state legislatures, with allowing anybody at all to circulate petitions for federal elections, particularly presidential elections, and whether or not the circulator is paid is truly irrelevant. What matters is who signs a petition, not who circulates it. Why on earth should an individual Nebraskan care whether or not the person presenting a petition to him or her is a state resident or not, or is getting paid or not? For decades now this has been the only way independent and minor party candidates have been able to have access to state ballots.

Shame on you, Nebraska.
— David Gaines Feb 19, 06:40 PM CST #
The problem is when people are paid by the signature and aren’t from here.

They will do and say anything to get signature.
If people wanting get an issue on the ballot can’t find enough committed Nebraskans to get the job done then maybe they need to question if there form of legislation is something that Nebraskans want.
— Robin Feb 19, 09:10 PM CST #