BEATRICE – The Nebraska Legislature opened its 107th first session on Wednesday, naming a Lincoln lawmaker to be the new Speaker of the body.
Senator Mike Hilgers, who represents a northwest Lincoln District, was the only nominee and elected unanimously.


"Colleagues, you have my commitment to do everything I can to make this place run right. If it runs right, it will unleash the creative energies and talents of every one of you who speak for thousands of others in your communities."


On a day where 25 newly elected legislators were sworn in by Nebraska Chief Justice Mike Heavican, Senator Hilgers said the legislature faces incredible challenges in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. Among those are passage of a new two-year budget, corrections issues...and on a wider scope, how to grow and create better jobs.


Hilgers noted there is a unique political environment to deal with, as well.


"The political discourse outside these walls doesn't tend to focus on policy, it tends to focus on destroying people. It doesn't tend to focus on building up...it tends to focus on tearing down".  Hilgers said Nebraskans expect lawmakers to meet challenges head on, because that's what generations of legislative leaders have done."  Hilgers pledged to colleagues to build relationships through listening, saying, “I will never personalize a dispute”.


Hilgers said, "I know we have 49 committed public servants who are not here for the money...we're here to make a difference for their communities."
Hilgers said when the legislature works right, every lawmaker has a say…representing the voices of their communities. He pledged to colleagues to promote full and fair debate on all issues.


Newly elected lawmakers were sworn in standing within their Plexiglass-lined cubicles, rather than the standard way of coming to the front of the legislative body to take the oath.