Hughes sites legislative achievements, announces re-election bid

VENANGO, Neb. — Sen. Dan Hughes of Venango, Nebraska announced today that he will seek a second term in the Nebraska Legislature, running for the 44th District seat. Hughes was elected in 2014.

Hughes was elected to the Executive Board of the Legislature in 2015 and in 2017. Senator Hughes is the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, he also serves on the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. Hughes also serves on the Building Maintenance and Reference Committees.

Sen. Hughes was selected to serve on the LR 127 Nebraska Justice System Special Oversight Committee, as related to the Department of Correctional Services. This committee has spent time in each correctional institution in the state looking for ways the Legislature can help solve overcrowding and employee retention challenges.

Hughes, a former school board member, introduced LB 710, a bill to change provisions relating to hazing. Nebraska law only prohibits hazing by post-secondary students, this bill extended the same protections to younger students. The bill passed and was signed by the governor. Hughes also introduced LB 182, changing the powers under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, the intent that loans, grants and loan forgiveness be available to public water systems that serve populations of 10,000 or less, are operated by a political subdivision, and demonstrate financial hardship.

The bill preserved the original intent. Hughes also supported the passage of LB 960, the Transportation Innovation Act, in which $40 million was set aside to repair or replace structurally deficient county bridges, six of which were identified in Legislative District 44.

Hughes said his legislative priorities have been and continue to be: reducing property taxes and issues relating to water.

“The property tax problem is proving to be a tough nut to crack, but I believe we are making headway,” he said. “Many urban homeowners are beginning to complain about them as well and that should bring more senators to the table for a solution,” Hughes said.

Hughes is a member of the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association, Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Grant Rotary Club, Venango Lions Club, and the Ag Builders of Nebraska.

Hughes represents 10 counties in Southwest Nebraska: Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Gosper, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Perkins and Red Willow.