LINCOLN- Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte has written a highly critical, inside assessment of Nebraska's nonpartisan Legislature and its current power structure. Even if you may not agree with it, or all of it, it's interesting reading.

Groene suggests there are 22 conservatives in the current Legislature and 17 who he defines as "progressive-liberal."

"There are 10 who I consider Unicameralist; although registered Republicans, they are truly non-partisan independents," Groene writes.

"They have the power in the Legislature, unbound by political ideologies or loyalty to the members of a political party who elected them; they are free to roam free from issue to issue."

Now, of course, that's exactly what George Norris had in mind.

Norris led the effort to create a one-house legislature with senators unbound by political party affiliation, allegiance and dictate. They are free to make their own informed and independent judgments on legislation.

Unlike the party-driven-and-divided U.S. Congress that you see in action today.

Inaction might be the better word as members of Congress respond to party discipline. There aren't many Liz Cheneys.

Groene's assessment is contained in an op-ed in The North Platte Telegraph.

For the full article click HERE