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State Sen. Dan Hughes

Dist. 44 news

Opinion

Opposes LR6, favors balanced budget

Thursday, December 21, 2017

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. A topic of debate recently has been Legislative Resolution 6. LR 6 will again be before the legislature this session. The resolution calls for Congress to hold a Convention of the States to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the amendments would impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.

Last month in McCook there was meeting on LR 6. I was unable to attend, however, I am fully aware of the Legislative Resolution and I have looked at the LR in depth. In its current form, I do not support LR 6. I am not comfortable calling for a Convention of the States as presented in LR 6. With a multi-issue resolution like this, I am worried there would be a runaway Convention of States. If a Convention of States cannot be controlled to a single topic I am fearful of what the outcome might be too many of the other freedoms we currently enjoy could be in jeopardy.

I am not comfortable with giving that much power to the delegates. Also, there needs to be a way to hold the delegates accountable and they vote the way the people of Nebraska would want them to. I have received letters and emails from many of you. Some support my position and others are urging me to support LR 6 in its current form.

The issue I will support a Convention of States on, is a balanced budget amendment, with provisions to allow for additional spending in times of war and other national emergencies. We in Nebraska must run a balanced budget and I see no reason why the Federal Government should not do the same.

Specifically, on the issue of term limit, I have never supported them. We already have term limits, they are elections. Our form of government is a Representative Republic, not a Democracy. Therefore, the citizenry is required to play an active role on our government. If they do not, our system will not work as well as envisioned by our Founding Fathers.

I have been getting ready for the upcoming session these last few weeks. The budget will be a big issue this year, as the current forecasting board has us about $200 million short. The next forecasting board meets at the end of February, which will be a better indicator of where the state needs to be. Unfortunately, it is a short session, and if we wait until March to make any adjustments it will be tough for any agency to make the necessary adjustments before the end of our fiscal year on June 30. The good news is we still have a little over $350 million in “rainy day” funds. But I am reluctant to use very much more of that fund to balance our budget.

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  • Unfortunately Sen Hughes has chosen to side with Hillary Clinton and Howard Dean on this legislation... The swamp is deep and the Founding Fathers left the job of truly draining it to the states. Specifically to the state legislators, including Sen Hughes. It is a shame lists fear of an unknown as his reason for opposing when we all know the outcome if we do not act. Do we really expect Washington DC to reform itself? The fact that it seems that fate of the nation hinges on a single election illustrates that there is a problem that Washington will never fix on their own. It is time to step and add Nebraska to the 12 other states that have already signed on!

    -- Posted by dschneider on Fri, Dec 22, 2017, at 12:36 AM

  • Sir, I am very disappointed with your current views on Convention of States as stated in your comments. You say you are not comfortable giving that much power to delegates. Are you comfortable with unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. who make sweeping decisions that impact millions of Americans?

    Do you understand the numerous and strongest safeguards in Article V that protect the U.S. Constitution and ensure that only widely approved amendments are adopted? Are you aware that any amendment proposed by the Convention goes through the exact same ratification process as amendments proposed by Congress and must be approved by 38 states? That it means if only 13 states vote no, the answer is no?

    You mention “multi-issue resolution” and “run-away” when LR6 is limited to 3 very specific issues. States have even imposed punishments if delegates attempt to go outside of those three issues. Our Founders brilliantly envisioned what we have today in our Federal Government, but also gave us every restriction in preventing a so-called runaway convention.

    Are you for fiscal responsibility in the Federal Government? Do you see that happening today? Do you want politicians to continue going to Washington only to forget why We the People sent them there? Are you in favor of career politicians who cater to those who would keep them in Washington rather than serve all the people?

    Fiscal responsibility and term limits in LR6 is an opportunity to give some power back to you, Senator Hughes, and other state senators when federal government has taken over far more regulatory power than the Founders ever intended.

    Amendments have not even been proposed, and yet some in positions as yourself are willing to listen to powerful, moneyed outside interests who are at war with losing their high authority.

    This is an opportunity to do something for the people who hired you, and reign back big government overreach. Please don’t be a Scrooge, but learn more about the wonderful opportunity Article V and LR6 gives to you and We the People of Nebraska.

    -- Posted by ForWeThePeople on Fri, Dec 22, 2017, at 6:32 AM

  • Your biggest concern should be real estate taxes in your own state. Short of that, why should we vote for you?

    -- Posted by Hugh Jassle on Tue, Dec 26, 2017, at 5:32 PM
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