ConCon could address party-switching issue
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Although this point is sometimes debated, political party labels do have some meaning.
Specifically, the philosophical divide between Democrats and Republicans might be blurry, but Republicans do tend to stand more toward the right of center on issues of government spending than Democrats, who argue instead for more government action in filling the community's needs.
That's why it's disturbing to see two recent party defections in mid-stream, not even one year into the term of office. State Sen. Mike Gabbard, elected last year as a Republican, crossed the floor to the Democratic majority in November, followed this month by Republican Rep. Karen Awana, now a Democrat.
Two freshmen made this move, which suggests that:
On the first point, it's a disservice to the voters that lawmakers can't be a little more collegial regardless of party stripe. A healthy minority presence within both lawmaking chambers helps ensure that the proposals of the majority are given adequate airing rather than being rubber-stamped. Small as it is, the Republican minority helped bring transparency to the debate confirming the governor's appointments.
And now that minority is even smaller.
It's doubtful that Gabbard's and Awana's GOP affiliation was key in getting them elected. Both argued rationally that minority status limited what they could do for constituents. Such partisan constraints serve no useful purpose.
Still, parties play a role in election, so switching shouldn't be such an easy matter. Nationally, it's seen most often in local politics, where party affiliation seems to matter less.
Few states seem to have strict control of the problem. But here, a ConCon should consider barring a switch between elections. Compelling the lawmaker to submit to a special election would be another, if costlier, approach.
Failing that, delegates should debate making the Legislature nonpartisan, as Nebraska did long ago.
If party labels mean so little, perhaps they could be taken out of the equation altogether.
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