Intangibles, speed limits, red cedars and local budgets

I have heard from a few people who were concerned about something I brought up in my previous article.

I want to be very clear I am not advocating for the taxation of intangibles. The purpose of my last article was to point out yet one more way there are disparities between the taxation of farmland and intangibles as assets.

An update from this year's legislative session is that my priority bill to raise speed limits has started to take effect in the district and across Nebraska. As you may have noticed some speed limits have been raised on certain highways and roadways, not all of the speed limits were changed immediately.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation will continue to evaluate which roads should have their speed limit increased by 5 mph.

This is the time of year where committees will start having interim hearings. On Aug. 31 the committee that I am chairman of, the Natural Resources Committee, will have their first interim hearing of the year.

It will be a study to examine issues relating to the spread of Eastern Red Cedar trees. This is really getting to be a problem in pasture land in some areas of the state. Our study is going to explore this issue and look at what practices are working best for control. I have been out in the district this summer meeting and talking to many residents, as always please feel free to come and say hello if you see me at an event you are attending. I have also been meeting with the elected officials and staff from the ten counties that make up the 44th District. It has been good to learn what is happening locally around the district, as well as, their opinions on the legislature.

Our local budgets are currently being drafted and discussed at public meetings. I encourage all of you to attend these meetings to educate yourselves about the proposed budgets and make suggestions on how to best spend our taxpayer dollars. The budgets of these entities will have an impact on our property taxes since that is where the bulk of the revenue comes from that is used to fund our local government. The only number you really need to focus on is the difference between last year's total budget and next year’s proposed budget total. If the new budget is higher, ask why, and make sure it is justified. You need to make your voice heard.

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.