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- Senator looks forward to private life, still on the job (4/21/22)
- All taxpayers get a break (4/14/22)
- Progress toward meaningful tax relief (4/8/22)
- Working to improve rural workforce housing (3/31/22)
- Busy year for appropriations committee (3/24/22)
- A review of legislative action last week (3/17/22)
- A review of legislative action last week (3/16/22)
Opinion
Disappointed at division, distraction
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Last week we had multiple late nights, staying past 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22nd. These late nights were not as productive as they could have been. We did not accomplish my main priority, property tax relief, this session. I am disappointed that disagreements on the strategy for accomplishing both business incentives in LB720 and property tax relief in LB183, distracted and divided the body.
Thursday and Friday were spent mostly on Final Reading. If a veto occurs, the bills passed on Thursday and Friday may be brought back for a veto override. Those passed beyond that point - for instance, this coming Thursday - do not have an opportunity for a veto override due to the rules of timeline of the legislature. We expect most of them to be signed into law.
I also want to take a moment and recognize that Monday was not just a holiday. It is a day to remember those who have gone before us, especially our veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. Tuesday and Wednesday were recess days. We will reconvene to tie up loose ends on Thursday and Friday. Friday will be Sine Die, the final adjournment for this half of the session.
Tensions ran high at the end of session, hindering our ability to get big picture things done. I am hopeful that everyone will regroup and rebuild trust during the interim so that these issues can be addressed. My personal goal for next year is the same as this year: meaningful and sustainable property tax relief for the benefit of all Nebraskans.
As of last week, the weekly Great Plains conference call and McCook Chamber Conference call have wrapped up for the year. However, I always enjoy hearing from the Nebraskans I represent, so I’ll be attending many events in District 44 during the interim. 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.