From the Lincoln Journal Star:
Following a solemn debate that flashed fiery at the end, the Legislature on Wednesday passed a landmark bill to abolish the death penalty in Nebraska with sufficient support to override a gubernatorial veto.
The bill (LB268), sponsored by Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, was approved on a 32-15 count following a 34-14 vote to end a last-gasp filibuster by opponents.
Thirty votes eventually will be required to override a promised veto by Gov. Pete Ricketts.
Wednesday’s historic vote may have signaled the end of a long journey for Chambers, who has been attempting to eliminate the death penalty for four decades.
“This is it,” he said as he entered the legislative chamber to begin the debate.
In 1979, Chambers won legislative approval of death penalty repeal, but the bill fell victim to a veto by Gov. Charles Thone.
Chambers told his colleagues they were on the cusp of writing history and it was a marked change of position among conservative legislators that made the difference.
“Nebraska will step into history” if the death penalty is eliminated here, he said. “It would be the first so-called conservative state to do so.”
Read more about Nebraskans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.