Redistricting, biennial budget priority business

McCOOK, Neb. - With Wednesday being the final day of bill introduction in the Nebraska Unicameral, District 44 State Senator Dan Hughes believes that this group of legislators are “an ambitious bunch”. That is because the body has introduced 684 bills and 29 resolutions to be debated, withdrawn, passed or killed during the session. Hughes spoke to a group of constituents through a Zoom meeting sponsored by McCook Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning.

In an effort to get through the hearing schedule on prospective legislation as quickly as possible, Hughes said that they are scheduling hearings in both mornings and afternoons beginning next week. The accelerated hearing schedule is a precaution against a possible shut down due to Covid, as was done during the last legislative session. Hughes said that Senators do not have to be in the hearing room in person, they can call in or participate in other ways. However, if there are too many senators out during floor debate, a postponement may be required.

Because he doesn’t have the votes to pass his proposed rule change to prohibit the press from attending committee executive sessions, Hughes said he was not going to bring it to the floor of the legislature. Hughes wanted the rule change because he felt that having the press in the room did not give Senators the freedom to openly discuss possible changes to a bill before it hits the floor. Opponents of the rule change argued that denying press access to these sessions was denying crucial information to the public.

Hughes said that assignments to special committees will be made by the Executive Board, which he chairs, on Thursday. He said that assignments to special committees will be fairly routine.

The Executive Board will also appoint a redistricting committee. Redistricting is the process of re-drawing district boundaries, based on population, to guarantee equal voter representation. It is done following the national census every ten years. It is speculated that rural Nebraska will lose seats in the Nebraska legislature as more of its population is centered around Omaha and Lincoln.

There will be nine members on the redistricting committee, three from each congressional district, and there can be no more than five from any one party. Senators have until 5 p.m. on Monday to express their interest in being on the committee. Hughes said he has not decided yet if he will serve on the committee. “One day, yes, I want to be on there. The next day, no way do I want to be on there,” Hughes said with a laugh. He said there have already been three senators from the third district apply to be on the committee.

Another responsibility lawmakers have this session is to pass a biennial budget. The state is in pretty good fiscal shape, according to Hughes. Cash reserves are looking good; revenues are coming in above projections; both corporate income tax and sales tax revenues are significantly above projections. Federal dollars coming into the state is helping the state budget considerably, Hughes said.

Constituents voiced support and opposition to several bills that have been proposed, as well as simply requesting additional information or asking Hughes to give special attention to legislation of concern.

Bills are currently at the committee hearing stage, and they will be amended, killed, or advanced to the floor for full Senate debate in the days and weeks upcoming.

Hughes encouraged constituents to contact him with questions and concerns. Aside from the weekly Zoom meeting through the chamber, he said contacting him by email is probably the most effective way to get a response, although he does try to answer all phone calls as well.

His email address is dhughes@leg.ne.gov