A leader of the pack

In Dodge County, Ray Janssen is mostly known as a member of the Nebraska unicameral. But on the floor of the Legislature, Janssen is known more for his leadership.

The Nickerson resident chairs the Legislature's revenue committee.

In addition to getting input about bills being considered in his committee, Janssen, 69, said other legislators talk to him about upcoming bills, bills on the floor, bills before other committees and amendments to bills.

On this day, Sen. Abbie Cornett of Lincoln talked with Janssen about confusion over a bill that would alter the marriage tax credit.

But legislators faced a bigger issue on the floor that day: An amendment to LB395, which would ban smoking tobacco products inside public places. The amendment was to give cities, villages and counties the option of whether or not to be exempt from the law.

“With the amendment, I think it'll pass,” Janssen said.

Janssen's civilian career is recognized on his office desk and on his desk on the Legislature floor in the form of a six-inch high miniature shopping cart filled with miniature candy bars. Janssen owns City Meat Market in Nickerson.

“I've been in the grocery business for 40 years,” he said.

After initially being elected to the Legislature in 1992, Janssen is getting toward the end of his fourth term. He would be up for re-election in 2008 but is being forced out by term limits, which now limit senators to two, four-year terms.

Debate on the smoking ban amendment took much of the morning session that day. After hearing many other senators speak, Janssen decided it was his turn.

“I'm a reformed smoker,” Janssen said. “I don't like being in places where people are smoking. It bothers me. You know what I do. I go to places where there is no smoking.”

Janssen said he considers a proposal for an absolute ban on smoking inside public places to be similar to the nation's old prohibition laws.

“If we had a statewide ban on smoking, people would find a way to get around that,” he continued. “I believe it would also be devastating in smaller communities where there is only one watering hole.”

As Janssen sits back down, he spots a note put on his desk from the Legislature's sergeant at arms. A tourism lobbyist wants to talk with him.

Behind the unicameral chamber, a wall of glass separates the action on the floor and people wandering the halls of the Capitol. At least a dozen faces can be seen bobbing up and down vying for a better view of the senators on the floor like albatross eyeing its next meal.

While he's away, one of his staff members, Brittany Sill, refills the miniature shopping cart on his desk on the unicameral floor with an assortment pack of miniature candy bars. One by one, several senators walk by for a treat.

After talking with the lobbyist for about nine minutes, Janssen is back at his desk and reaches in the basket for his own piece of chocolate.

“I usually go out to talk with them,” he said. “Some (senators) will, some won't. This guy was from a hotel and motel group.”

The lobbyist was interested in a bill that would require a nonunion employee working in a union company to pay the union for receiving benefits that were negotiated by union representatives.

“Why should a nonunion employee get the benefits from the union's bargaining without paying for it?” Janssen said. “I can go either way on this. The hotel and motel group doesn't want this bill to pass.”

But that was for another day.

On this day, the amendment to the statewide smoking ban passed.

“It's a pretty controversial issue,” Janssen said. “The opposition was fairly satisfied with what they got. These were pretty civil debates. No one got too excited.”

The 100th Legislature is the first impacted by term limits with 20 freshmen members, but Janssen said he likes what he's seen so far from the group.

“This class is one of the best classes I've ever witnessed,” he said. “It's a shame they'll only be in for two terms.”

Janssen said he isn't upset that he won't be able to seek re-election in 2008.

“I'm almost 70 years old. I don't think I would have run again anyway.”

While he's enjoyed his time in the Legislature, he said it hasn't been perfect.

“The hardest thing has been dividing my time between my business and doing the job here. At times, things would happen in the store that I'd get calls on. But I have some of the best employees. They do a great job in my absence. That allows me to better concentrate on this.

“My wife (Nancy) has been very instrumental,” he continued. “Without her, I would never be able to do this.”