By Pete McClymont

With Nebraska facing historic changes in its next Unicameral legislature, it ‘s an appropriate time to consider some elements of our state’s political process and how Nebraska Cattlemen is involved.

As most of you know, the 2006 Unicameral was the last legislative session for 20 state senators. Because Nebraska voters passed a constitutional amendment enacting term limits, these 20 senators are the first wave of elected officials to be ineligible to re-run for our state’s Legislature.

With the resignation of two other legislators, Nebraska citizens will lose at least 22 state senators when the next Unicameral convenes in 2007. In 2009, there will be an additional 15 new senators representing the 49 districts across our great state. So, in a two-year window, there will be at least 37 newly elected state senators out of 49.

An oft-used term these days in reference to the final year of the term-limited senators is “institutional knowledge.” Without a doubt, there will be considerable loss of “institutional knowledge” in the next three years when at least 37 new senators take over for some talented individuals who have served our state well.

We as citizens can expect several things as a result of term limits. Obviously, there will be a learning curve for the new senators. New responsibilities, processes, demands, relationships and rules are just a few of the elements these senators will face. With that will be a trust factor that will be critical in how these senators represent their districts. Trust in their newly formed legislative staff, other state senators, constituents, state agencies, trade associations and lobbyists will be a key part of the new senator’s learning curve.

As members of Nebraska Cattlemen and participants in the state’s largest industry, this is going to be a crucial time. If you as members of NC ever questioned whether your dues were worthwhile, that shouldn’t be a second thought next year and at least the next three years with a wave of new representation at the state Capitol. Why? One of things that has been most impressive to me over the last three years while serving as your officer is the respect that NC has with our state’s elected governing body. The senators welcome our opinions, input, questions, participation in the process and work with other affected groups and individuals.

NC staff has worked diligently to be professional, informative and respectful to all involved. The result of those actions is trust – the trust to work together, the trust to compromise, the trust to agree to disagree, but most important, to make the process work. Not all groups “working” the senators have earned that respect. Lack of professionalism, knowledge and a respectful attitude are the biggest reasons why some groups or individuals lose credibility with the senators. But NC’s two registered lobbyists, Michael Kelsey and Duane Gangwish, have worked very hard to enhance the respect that they inherited just a little over a year ago. Their efforts have put NC in a prime position to promote your policy.

Next year, with an influx of new senators, the potential downside and very real possibility is that there will likely be groups that will do anything to take advantage of the “new guys on the block.” For some of the new senators, the trust factor may be challenged before it has even begun. This will be an added element to these new senators’ learning curve. NC will have to be vigilant on your behalf, not just promoting policy, but also gaining the new senators’ trust in an inclusive, respectful manner. I have even heard lobbyists say that there is real potential for certain lobbyists to gain too much influence with next year’s new senators. Wow! I’m glad I had my seatbelt on when I heard that one!

When you truly sit down and analyze what areas NC should be most proficient in performing for your dues dollars, near the top should be working with your elected officials as well as local, state and federal agencies. Nebraska Cattlemen can have the best policy in the world, but what good is that policy if NC cannot effectively impart the importance and relevance of that policy to our lawmakers and agencies?

When you hitch your wagon to a trade association or policy-making body that empowers your industry, don’t you want to be involved with a respected body that has been around for generations like the Nebraska Cattlemen has? We may not all agree with every policy that the membership ultimately adopts. But how our preceding generations steadfastly toiled to make the process work for all sides is vital to the net effect of your current edition of Nebraska Cattlemen and our future generations in the beef industry.   Pete McClymont, Holdrege, is NC president.