Briese shares redistricting information

Late in the week of Sept. 6, and after considerable debate and negotiation, the redistricting committee introduced its bills outlining proposed new districts for the election of Congressional, Legislative, Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, Board of Regents and State Board of Education members. Our special session relative to redistricting commenced on Sept. 13. That same day, we began three days of hearings on those bills in Grand Island, Lincoln and Omaha, where many Nebraskans weighed in. Following those hearings, we voted as a committee, on a 5-4 vote, to advance to general file our Congressional proposal, LB 1 and our legislative proposal, LB 3. After eight hours of debate on each bill, both were blocked by filibusters.

We then resumed negotiations within our committee, while consulting with our legislative colleagues, in an effort to find a path forward on these bills. In the meantime, after some changes to the State Board of Education bill, we did advance to general the bills on the districts for the Supreme Court, PSC and Regents and State Board of Education.

But the most contentious maps, the Congressional and Legislative, were still being negotiated as of late on Thursday Sept. 23. However, on Friday morning, the committee came together on a compromise that we amended on the floor onto LB 1 and LB 3.

On Friday afternoon, the body advanced these compromise amendments to select file. After some additional tweaks, all maps were advanced to select file and then passed on final reading on Sept. 30. The governor signed these bills the same day

The Congressional map combines Douglas, Saunders and the southwest portion of Sarpy counties to form the 2nd Congressional District.

The 1st District expands to include the remainder of Sarpy County, as well as Cass, Lancaster, Seward, Butler, Dodge, Cuming, Stanton, Colfax, Platte and Madison counties and part of Polk County.

The 3rd District expands to include the remainder of the state.

As for the Legislative map, I would say that if you asked every senator, you’d get 49 different suggestions on how we should change it. But we are constrained by the constitutional principles of one person, one vote, and the preservation of county lines where practicable. Even though we can deviate some from mathematical precision in dividing up the population between districts, our ability to stray from equality in population is limited. Because of these factors, LB 3 alters essentially every legislative district to some extent. The alteration of legislative districts is not ideal, but it represents the compromise necessary to get this package of bills across the finish line, and pave the way for our election officials to do their job and give the public and potential candidates certainty.

The newly redrawn District 41 will no longer include Garfield, Antelope or Pierce counties. Garfield will become part of District 43, Antelope and the northern half of Pierce counties will become part of District 40, while the southern half of Pierce County will become part of District 19. District 41 expands on the southern edge to include most of Buffalo and Hall counties.

As always, I greatly value and appreciate hearing from everyone. Please feel free to reach out to my office with any questions, comments or concerns. I can be reached at [email protected] or at 402-471-2631.