Parole Eligibility Expansion Bill Advances But Not Without Heated Discussion

Parole Eligibility Expansion Bill Advances But Not Without Heated Discussion
Photo Courtesy Nebraska Legislature
August 4th, 2020 | Scott Miller

Tempers flared Tuesday at the Nebraska Legislature during debate on a bill changing parole-eligibility dates after one senator concerned with the lack of progress on property tax reform offered more than 25 one-line amendments.

Senator Steve Lathrop of Omaha, sponsor of LB 1004, was visibly upset with the tactic, saying its ridiculous and the legislature is not functioning. “This bill has the support of law enforcement, it has the support of the prosecutors. You can do what you want, but Jesus Christ! You can come over and tell me if you have a problem with it,” yelled Lathrop. “This is stupid and were not functioning! And by the way, Ive spent about the last three months working on property tax relief.”

LB 1004 seeks to address the overcrowding crisis in Nebraska’s correctional system by automatically making committed offenders eligible for parole within two years of their mandatory discharge date, unless they are eligible for parole at an earlier date.

The surprise stall tactic by Sen. Andrew La Grone drew a furious response from the bills sponsor, Sen. Steve Lathrop. La Grone, a Republican, says he wont support the measure until lawmakers approve a bill to lower property taxes. He launched a filibuster against the bill, at one point reading from the childrens book “Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories” to consume time.

Bayard Senator Steve Erdman noted that last year, Lathrop was not above using filibuster tactics, and recalled some advice passed on by Omaha Senator Ernie Chambers that lawmakers should not get attached to their legislation. “When you stopped my (agland) valuation bill from advancing, I didnt throw a temper tantrum, I didnt slap the podium, I didnt use the Lords name in vain, and I didnt do that to get support from some people in the body, like you did, ” said Erdman. “Senator Chambers wastes time, thats his perogative and he can do that. So if the rest of us want to waste time, its in the same category as what Sen. Chambers does. Deal with it.”

Senator Andrew LaGrone ultimately withdrew his 28 amendments to the bill after receiving assurances that property tax relief would be addressed before the end of the session.

Following additional discussion of the bill, it passed the first round of debate on a vote of 29-2, with 16 members not voting.

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