Ernie Chambers

Ernie Chambers (born July 10, 1937) is a Nebraska state senator from Omaha, representing legislative District 11. He is considered one of the Legislature's most colorful members, known for his long fillibuster speeches on the floor of the Nebraska state Unicameral.

Related Topics:
July 10 - 1937 - Nebraska - Omaha - Legislature - Fillibuster - Unicameral

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First elected in 1970, Chambers set the record for being the longest serving state senator in the Unicameral's history on April 25, 2005. He was most recently reelected in 2004. (According to a constitutional amendment passed in 2000, Chambers will not be allowed to seek reelection again in 2008.)

Related Topics:
1970 - April 25 - 2005 - 2004 - 2000 - 2008

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A self-professed "defender of the downtrodden," Chambers is known for liberal policies: He is a firm opponent of the death penalty, and has attempted numerous times to overturn it, but to no avail. It remains one of his primary goals while in office. He has also clashed with fellow senators over issues of concern to rural Nebraskans, such as a bill requiring landowners to manage the population of black-tailed prairie dogs on their property, and a proposed constitutional amendment to preserve the right to fish, trap and hunt in the state. (Chambers described the latter measure as one of the most "asinine, simple-minded pieces of trash" ever to be considered by the legislature.)

Related Topics:
Death penalty - Prairie dogs

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Chambers also prides himself on his independence, however. In 2004, he co-wrote an opinion piece with U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne against permitting casino gambling or slot machines in Nebraska. Chambers has also decried the state's ethanol incentives as "a boondoggle".

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His frequent use of legislative rules or filibusters to block proposals he is opposed to has caused friction with some of his colleagues in the Legislature, and it was suggested by opponents of legislative term limits that the 2000 amendment had been concieved largely to force him out.

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A barber, Chambers is also host of a weekly call-in show on Omaha Cox Channel 22. He commonly wears a black or blue T-shirt in legislative sessions, rather than a suit.

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