State senators debate plan for more state patrol members

LINCOLN – The Nebraska State Patrol is at its lowest number since 1996, but the patrol is budgeting to fix radios and vehicles, not hire more troopers, said Sen. Colby Coash of Lincoln during debate on Legislative Bill 579, Thursday, April. 11.

The bill would increase from nine to 15 the number of state patrol members who focus on enforcing the Nebraska Liquor Control Act. Nebraska has about 425 state patrol members, said Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha.

Coash voted against advancing the bill from the General Affairs Committee because he said enforcing liquor laws isn’t the only thing the patrols need...