Freedom Index

A Legislative Scorecard Based on the Principles of the U.S. Constitution

Nebraska Legislative Scorecard  »  Freedom Index  »  NE Scorecard 2023

Legislative Scorecard Based on the U.S. Constitution

The Legislative Scorecard is a nationwide educational program of The John Birch Society. Its purpose is to create an informed electorate on how state legislators are voting. The Scorecard is nonpartisan; it does not promote any candidate or political party. Bills are selected for their constitutional implications and cost to the taxpayers.

Please share this Scorecard in your district to inform people about your legislator's record on key votes.
U.S. Constitution, Amendment I --- 11 C.F.R. §114(4)(c)(4) --- 616 F.2d 45 (2d Cir. 1980)

Legislative Scorecard

Based on the U.S. Constitution

NE Scorecard 2023

The Legislative Scorecard is a nationwide educational program of The John Birch Society. Its purpose is to create an informed electorate on how state legislators are voting. The Scorecard is nonpartisan; it does not promote any candidate or political party. Bills are selected for their constitutional implications and cost to the taxpayers.

Please share this Scorecard in your district to inform people about your legislator's record on key votes.
U.S. Constitution, Amendment I --- 11 C.F.R. §114(4)(c)(4) --- 616 F.2d 45 (2d Cir. 1980)

The following scorecard lists several key votes in the Nebraska Legislature in 2023 and ranks state senators based on their fidelity to (U.S.) constitutional and limited-government principles.

This is our second state-level Scorecard; the selected votes may not be reflective of legislators’ overall records. Their cumulative scores will change as we add more votes. Please check regularly for updates.

Senate

1. Comprehensive "Justice Reinvestment"

Good Vote: No

LB50 Comprehensive "Justice Reinvestment" (passed 34 to 15 on 6/1/2023). Expands “problem solving courts," approves "stream-lined parole contracts," establishes a "parole violation residential housing program," and terminates a legislative oversight committee.

2. Omnibus Education Bill

Good Vote: No
LB705 Omnibus Education Bill for FY 2023-24 (passed 47 to 9 on 5/30/2023). Allocates lottery funds to education programs; requires public high school students to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid before graduation; and prohibits public colleges and universities from considering an applicant’s criminal history, among other provisions.

3. Secure Voter ID Requirements

Good Vote: Yes
AM1940 (LB514) Secure Voter ID Requirements (failed 5 to 26 on 5/22/2023). Would amend LB514, which specifies voter identification requirements, to implement additional measures verifying U.S. citizenship and allow fewer exceptions regarding mail-in ballots and early voting.

4. Permitless Firearm Carry

Good Vote: Yes
LB77 Permitless Firearm Carry (passed 33 to 14 on 4/19/2023). Authorizes the concealed carry of firearms without a permit.

5. Nebraska Heartbeat Act

Good Vote: Yes
LB626 Nebraska Heartbeat Act (advanced 33 to 16 on 4/12/2023). Would provide that a physician may not perform or induce an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected, except in cases of sexual assault, incest, or medical emergency.

6. National Guard “Command Climate Survey”

Good Vote: No

LB250 National Guard "Command Climate Survey" (advanced 37 to 0 on 2/16/2023). Would direct the Adjutant General of Nebraska to conduct a “command climate survey” of the Nebraska Army National Guard, performed by “an external team” and “pursuant to applicable United States Department of the Army” regulations.

Legislator Scores
[ + ] Pro-liberty Vote[ - ] Anti-liberty Vote[ . ] Did not Vote
Name Party District Score 123456
Raymond Aguilar R SD-035 33% ---++-
Joni Albrecht R SD-017 80% +-+++.
John Arch R SD-014 40% --.++-
Christy Armendariz R SD-018 40% ---++.
Beau Ballard R SD-021 60% +-.++-
Carol Blood D SD-003 0% -----.
Carolyn Bosn R SD-025 80% +-+++.
Eliot Bostar D SD-029 0% --.---
Bruce Bostelman R SD-023 50% +--++-
Tom Brandt R SD-032 33% ---++-
Tom Brewer R SD-043 33% ---++-
Tom Briese R 60% +-.++-
Machaela Cavanaugh D SD-006 0% -..--.
John Cavanaugh D SD-009 0% ------
Robert Clements R SD-002 50% +--++-
Danielle Conrad D SD-046 0% ------
Jen Day D SD-049 0% -----.
Wendy DeBoer D SD-010 0% --.---
Barry DeKay R SD-040 33% ---++-
Myron Dorn R SD-030 33% ---++-
Robert Dover R SD-019 40% --.++-
George Dungan D SD-026 0% ------
Steve Erdman R SD-047 60% +-.++-
John Fredrickson D SD-020 0% --.--.
Suzanne Geist R NA .....-
Steve Halloran R SD-033 50% +--++-
Ben Hansen R SD-016 50% --.++.
Brian Hardin R SD-048 50% +--++-
Rick Holdcroft R SD-036 33% ---++-
Jana Hughes R SD-024 33% ---++-
Megan Hunt I SD-008 0% -.---.
Teresa Ibach R SD-044 33% ---++-
Michael Jacobson R SD-042 50% +--++-
Kathleen Kauth R SD-031 50% --+++-
Lou Linehan R SD-039 40% --.++-
Loren Lippincott R SD-034 50% +--++-
John Lowe R SD-037 60% +-.++-
Mike McDonnell D SD-005 40% --.++-
Terrell McKinney D SD-011 0% --..-.
Fred Meyer R SD-041 NA ......
Mike Moser R SD-022 50% +--++-
Dave Murman R SD-038 50% +--++-
Jane Raybould D SD-028 0% -----.
Merv Riepe R SD-012 40% --.++-
Rita Sanders R SD-045 50% --+++-
Julie Slama R SD-001 67% +-+++-
Tony Vargas D SD-007 0% -----.
Brad Von Gillern R SD-004 33% ---++-
Lynne Walz D SD-015 0% --.---
Justin Wayne D SD-013 0% --..--
Anna Wishart D SD-027 0% --.--.

Average Constitutional Score by Party

Party Score
Republican 47.3%
Democrat 2.5%
Independent 0%