Clock keeps tickin' but many issues unresolved

Status quo. With only weeks remaining in the Second Session of the 103rd Nebraska Legislature, the Latin term meaning the existing state of affairs takes on an all-too-familiar presence. Filibustering and political posing have taken a toll on progress in the officially non-partisan body. It appears that a number of key issues could be left unresolved.

Weighty topics such as prison reform, fueled by the alleged four-victim murder spree of an Omaha man who many said should never have been let out of prison, has yet to be debated by the full Legislature. The last-term governor wants to replace good time with earned time. Prison officials say good time is their best incentive to control the behavior of inmates in a critically overcrowded system.

Medicaid expansion has yet to progress. Proponents see it as a way to provide insurance for all Nebraskans and take advantage of available federal dollars. Opponents link it to Obamacare and have vowed to fight it no matter the cost. At least one gubernatorial hopeful (remember, there are six Republicans and one Democrat seeking the office) has made stopping Obamacare a key platform point.

Highway bonds have been discussed but not finalized. Proponents note the declining infrastructure and the improving fiscal climate for the state as a great reason to get Nebraska's roads up to par again. But, an administration bent on tax cuts doesn't favor the highway bonds idea. The administration does favor tax reform.

But tax reform ideas have been slow to come from committee, let alone come in a recommended package of bills that would pass muster with what the governor wants and what lawmakers -- a number of whom are term-limited and running for other offices -- could stomach. This isn't the "House of Cards" (a popular television series about political intrigue in Washington, DC) and there is no power-hungry Frank Underwood (played by actor Kevin Spacey) to make such a measure magically appear with bi-partisan support and the votes to pass. Given that a specially appointed tax study committee recommended the status quo before the session started, the impetus for such reform clearly still resides in the Executive Branch.

Lawmakers traditionally spend long days (full-day floor debate began March 4) and work into the night as the session wanes. It's hard to say if a tax reform measure could muster that passionate dedication since some say it's merely an attempt by the lame-duck governor to leave a legacy. Given the choice of public safety issues such as roads funding and prison reform and some urgent agriculture-related issues such as water policy and projects, lengthy discussion on taxes could seem less than palatable. Especially to those term-limited lawmakers who are eager to get home to campaign before the May 13th primary election.

If he's left holding the bag on his favorite issue, the governor can always opt to call lawmakers back for a special session. But, a special session sandwiched between a primary and a general election, wouldn't have much more of a favorable political climate than the current regular session. Granted, fewer senators will be left in the hunt for higher office, but partisan politics will be in full sway.

As a reminder, state Senators Beau McCoy and Tom Carlson are in the primary hunt for Governor (along with Attorney General Jon Bruning and Auditor Mike Foley) and state Senators Charlie Janssen and Amanda McGill are seeking the Auditor's office and Senator Pete Pirsch is seeking the Attorney General's post.

To make something meaningful happen before the scheduled April 17th adjournment, something's gotta give.