Ernie Chambers

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

1 History
2 Legislative service
- 2.1 "Franklin Coverup"
- 2.2 2006 Omaha Public Schools controversy
3 See also
4 References
5 External link

[edit] History

Ernie Chambers is a long-time member of the North Omaha community, a historic civil rights leader in Omaha's African American community, and widely-regarded as Nebraska's most prominent and outspoken African American leader.

Chambers was a barber when he first appeared in the Oscar-nominated 1966 documentary film A Time for Burning. During this period he emerged as a prominent leader throughout the community, as illustrated in his instrumental role during the 1966 riots, when he successfully negotiated concessions from the city's leaders on behalf of African American young people.^[1]

First elected to the Nebraska State Legislature in 1970, he was most recently reelected in 2004. On April 25, 2005, Chambers became the longest-serving state senator in the Legislature's history, with more than 37 years to his name.^[2] A constitutional amendment passed in 2000 limits Nebraska state legislators to two four-year terms. Because of this, Chambers will not be allowed to seek reelection in 2008.

He holds a law degree from Creighton University law school but is not a member of the bar and does not practice law. He also hosts a weekly call-in public access television show on Omaha Cox Channel 22. He has always been a non-drinker and non-smoker. He commonly wears a black or blue T-shirt in legislative sessions, rather than a suit.

[edit] Legislative service

Chambers' frequent use of legislative rules and filibusters to block proposals he opposes has caused friction with some of his colleagues in the Legislature.

After being first elected to the Unicameral in 1970, then re-elected in 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004, it has been suggested by opponents of legislative term limits that a 2000 amendment limiting senators to two four-year terms had been conceived largely to force him out.^[3]

A self-professed "defender of the downtrodden," Chambers is known for liberal policies: He is a firm opponent of the death penalty, and introduces a bill to repeal Nebraska's capital punishment law at the start of each legislative session. 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.)^[4]

Chambers also prides himself on his independence, however. In 2004, he co-wrote an opinion piece with U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne opposing a set of initiatives that would allow casino gambling and slot machines in Nebraska.^[5] Chambers has also decried the state's ethanol incentive programs as "a boondoggle".^[6]

[edit] "Franklin Coverup"

According to the December 15, 1989 New York Times, Chambers came forward with reports of "boys and girls, some of them from foster homes, who had been transported around the country by airplane to provide sexual favors, for which they were rewarded." Investigating what became known as the Franklin Coverup Scandal, a Nebraska grand jury was convened to investigate the allegations and possibly return indictments, but eventually ruled that the entire matter was "a carefully crafted hoax." ^[7]

[edit] 2006 Omaha Public Schools controversy

In April 2006, Chambers introduced an amendment to a bill (LB 1024) that would divide the Omaha Public Schools district into three different districts. Supporters say this would help provide more localized control for African Americans and Hispanics. This issue has divided the state and, to use Chambers' own words, "thrown white people into a tizzy." The bill has seen national attention and critics cite it as "state-sponsored segregation"^[8].

In the spring of 2006, Chambers withdrew support from two tax incentive bills which would have provided funding for Omaha and Lincoln civic building projects. Chambers claimed that he withdrew support because he felt personally insulted by recent criticisms of LB 1024 and by the Omaha City Council's refusal to name a North Omaha park after him.^[9] Along with this controversy many groups, including the Chicano Awareness Center in August of 2006, have filed Law Suits against both Ernie Chambers, the Learning Community, and The Omaha Public School district.