LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A ballot measure that could give Nebraska lawmakers an extra four years in office has won initial approval in the Legislature.

Senators gave the constitutional amendment proposal first-round approval on Monday with a 27-12 vote.

The current proposal would allow lawmakers to serve up to three consecutive four-year terms in office, if voters approve it.

Lawmakers have to approve it twice more. Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus says his proposal could be changed to allow two consecutive six-year terms instead.

Term limits went into effect in 2006 under a voter-approved constitutional amendment that limited lawmakers to two consecutive four-year terms.

Schumacher says the extra time is important to preserve institutional knowledge in the one-house Legislature.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska senator’s comment comparing police to the Islamic State terrorist group is continuing to provoke debate in the Legislature.

The comment by longtime state Sen. Ernie Chambers came up again on Monday and filled up most of the Legislature’s morning debate time. Many lawmakers condemned the comments during debate last week.

During a committee hearing this month, Chambers said “my ISIS is the police” because officers are licensed to kill and pose a threat to his neighborhood. Chambers said he isn’t a man of violence, but if he carried a gun, he would use it as protection against police and would want to shoot first and ask questions later.

Chambers has refused to apologize for the comments.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska mothers-to-be will have better employment protection under a bill headed to a final vote in the Legislature.

Senators advanced a measure Monday that would require employers to acknowledge physical limitations of pregnancy and make accommodations for employees. The bill also would bar discrimination against pregnant women in employment practices like hiring or firing.

The bill by Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha won second-round approval on a voice vote.

Mello says the bill complies with a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold an appeals case by a pregnant woman who asked for job accommodations similar to those available to workers with physical disabilities.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A report by a Nebraska tax-policy think tank says the state has cut taxes significantly over the last decade, reducing the revenue available for other priorities.

The OpenSky Policy Institute said Monday that tax cut packages enacted since 2005 are expected to cost the state $840 million in revenue per year by 2024. Income tax cuts are expected to account for $487 million of the reductions.

The group says the decreased revenue has contributed to the growing reliance on property taxes. The group, which often emphasizes the need for school funding, says the decline leaves less money available for K-12 schools and state services.