Reimplementing Nebraska's death pealty

In the November election, along with voting for candidates, the people of Nebraska voted with a substantial majority- to support the return of the death penalty to our legal system. Since that time, the Governor's office, Attorney General, and the Department of Corrections have started in motion some steps to streamline the process. Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes has already obtained an importer's license from the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, and his department has proposed a number of changes with regard to the death penalty. Among those proposals are changes to the direct protocol surrounding the administration of lethal injection, with a hearing on those changes slated for December 30th which will determine what that process will look like. I would like to reiterate that during the last legislative session, I did support keeping the death penalty, and in my discussions with people regarding that issue, I pledged that if the voters did reinstate it, that I would do what I could to fix the process. As I have written in this column in the past, the law wasn't broken, the process was.

My commitment on this issue has been to work to remove the unnecessary legal hurdles that have been put in place to keep a sentence from being carried out in a timely manner. In the legislature next year, I am committed to following the will of the people to reinstate justice with an improved process so that it can truly serve as a deterrent and as an effective tool to be used by our legal system.

Lastly, with New Year's Eve right around the corner, Josie and I would like to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year. I hope that 2017 brings you happiness, cheer, and opportunities to spend time with those close to you. God Bless.

I always enjoy hearing from the Nebraskans I represent. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns that you might have.

My email address is dhughes@leg.ne.gov and my phone number is (402) 471-2805.You can read more about bills and other work of the Legislature at www.nebraskalegislature.gov, and you can click on the Live Video Streaming NET logo to watch sessions, hearings, and other Capitol events.