It's that awkward time of year

We've entered that awkward lull in news in the Capital City -- the few cold weeks between the regular Cornhusker football season and the beginning of the Legislature. The discussion of the 8-4 Husker season will only last a couple weeks. There will be a slight bump during the revelation of bowl game assignments, but it's hard to get too excited about playing the Little Sisters of the Poor in the Spam and Cheese Casserole Bowl.

Excitement about the Legislature's short session -- January 8 to April 17 -- will be minimal at best. There is a primary election in May that will determine the November 4, 2014, pairings in the nation's only non-partisan unicameral legislative body. The primary race for U.S. Senate and Governor will draw a little more interest with large numbers of Republicans in both races being narrowed to just one who will face off with the Democrat of choice.

Seventeen state senators will be going home to stay in April because of term limits. Of that number, nine are Republicans, seven Democrats and one Independent in the officially non-partisan offices. Only the party faithful keeps track of those affiliations. Another seven state Senators face re-election. The earliest that senators or senate hopefuls can file for the $12,000 -- a -- year job is December 1. There are already at least a dozen people who have indicated they will run and many more are probably waiting even though political analysts and lobbyists will tell you that those who announce early stand a better chance of making it because they have more time to take the pulse -- and the contributions -- of their constituents.

State Senators up for re-election and the handful running for higher office will watch their words and their votes carefully, making it difficult to have spirited debates or even meaningful discussions of the 406 carry-over bills from the 2013 session, let alone the anticipated major tax bills that lame duck Governor Dave Heineman will likely push. You might remember that senators Charlie Janssen of Fremont, Tom Carlson of Holdrege and Beau McCoy of Elkhorn are seeking the Republican gubernatorial nod. Senator Annette Dubas of Fullerton dropped out of the race with former UNL Regent Chuck Hassebrook of Lyons for the Democratic Party governor's candidacy. State Senator Pete Pirsch of Omaha is running for state Auditor. Incumbent Auditor Mike Foley has joined the race for the GOP nod for governor.

Look for veteran lawmaker Ernie Chambers of Omaha -- the Legislature's senior member (38+ years) who has already sat out his mandatory four-year term limit abstinence -- to have a hey-day with all of his colleagues who are running for something else. It's one thing to please potential voters. It's quite another to avoid the wrath of Ernie who likes to talk about the Repellicans and the Demagogues. One can only speculate if he'll weigh in on the Pelini saga -- but it's important to remember that Ernie has pushed before to allow colleges to pay football players.

Yes, it's going to be a long cold wait, but the drama unfolding January 8th just might be worth it!