With the Legislature heading into its final days of the year, several major issues remain on the table including property taxes, boys and girls playing on each other’s teams, and a move to protect doctors involved in legally questionable abortions.

And now in an unexpected move, some of those issues are likely to see less debate than usual.

And it all comes down to one word.

[View our full video report above]

It’s a 10-letter legislative word for delay, to stonewall:

State Sen. Julie Slama, (R): “I don’t take filibustering lightly…”

State Sen.  Mike Jacobsen, (R): “So, now we know we’re in a full-blown filibuster.”

The most famous filibuster, well it’s as clear as black and white:

Mr. Smith goes to Washington: “You think I’m licked, you all think I’m licked. Well, I’m not licked.”

Jimmy Stewart talking endlessly about lost causes.

Years later the TV show West Wing colored in the rules.

West Wing: “You keep the floor as long as you hold the floor. What does that mean, it means you can’t stop talking ever. You can’t eat and you can’t drink.”

State Sen. Rick Holdcroft, Bellevue (R): “So an Arleigh Burke class destroyer, let me talk about that for a while.”

That’s Bellevue State Sen. Rick Holdcroft talking on and on and on…about the navy, talking about anything but the real issue at the time: Railroad safety.

Mr. Smith: “Somebody will listen to me.”

But unlike the movies and their endless talk, Nebraska filibusters have a time limit, 8 hours during the first round of debate.

According to the folks who run this show it’s an unwritten rule, telling me: “It does not say anything in our rulebook about the 8-hour number. That number is at the ruling of the chair when…they feel full and fair debate has been reached.” (Clerk of the Legislature)

Speaker of the Legislature John Arch: “I want to give adequate time for debate.”

State Sen. John Arch, Speaker of the Legislature, is the man in charge of that unwritten 8-hour rule and, guess what. in these final days of this session he’s cutting that 8 hours to four, for some bills not all.

Speaker Arch: “For bills that are controversial and emotionally charged. I’m not referring to traditional government policy bills such as taxes. Although senators often feel strongly about these measures and the debate can be highly controversial, the debate time on the policy issues can lead to a better understanding of the bill and at time compromise. In my estimation that is not the case with social issue bills. Members generally go into debate with their minds made up and prolonged debate only serves the purpose of fanning the fires of contention.”

And that new four-hour, half of what it used to be, filibuster…

Mr. Smith: “You people don’t know about lost causes…”

…takes effect immediately.