Legislative page positions are open

If you know of a hardworking young person who will be in college in the Lincoln area during the spring 2018 semester and who has an interest in government, policy, politics, or administration, the legislature is currently selecting for Legislative Page Positions. Pages must be high school graduates currently enrolled in a Nebraska college or trade school with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and able to work 20 hours a week from January through May 2018.

It is a paid position and many Nebraska colleges offer credit for participating in the program, similar to an internship. The deadline to apply is September 28 and the Selection Committee will conduct interviews on October 13. We have had a few students from the 44th District who have done this in the past and I would encourage all college students to consider it. If you or someone you know might have an interest in participating, please contact my office.

This summer I have continued to stay busy with legislative work. Last week in North Platte my interim study LR 160 was heard by the Urban Affairs Committee, the study included a review of current relocation incentives, a review of relocation incentives in other states, and an examination of provisions in the Constitution of Nebraska that could potentially limit the ability of the legislature to authorize additional relocation incentive options.

Currently, municipalities can use Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act (commonly referred to as LB 840) for relocation incentives for new residents. Those statutes require that these relocation incentives must be provided in the form of a grant or loan to a qualifying business as defined in the act.

Earlier this week members of the Nebraska Justice System Special Oversight Committee and I visited the Community Corrections Center in Lincoln, the Lincoln Correctional Center and the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center.

We also attended a meeting with probation administration employees and then heard a presentation on the class action lawsuit that was filed by the ACLU.

On October 20, 2017, the committee will hold a public hearing on issues facing the Department of Corrections, Board of Parole and Office of Parole Administration. There is no easy fix to the problems we have in our correctional institutions but we will continue to look at all options.

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.