Making good decisions in unprecedented times

As you may be aware the legislature has decided to postpone the current legislative session until further notice due to the spread of the Coronavirus or also known as COVID-19. We could be called back into session for the limited purpose of passing any emergency appropriations. These are unprecedented times and we are trying to make the best decisions based on what those in the medical field advise. 

Before the decision was made to suspend the current legislative session we began discussion on the mid-biennium budget adjustments. The legislature passed a two year budget last year during last year’s 90 day session but we must make adjustments during the current 60 day session. The most recent report from the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board exhibited tax receipts coming in a bit above projections. At that time the board did not consider the possible fiscal impact that COVID-19 would have on the state. That impact is something that we have to keep in mind as we discuss the mid-biennium budget adjustments. Last week the Appropriations Committee met with senators and staff to discuss the budget adjustments. One item of importance the committee plans on making is an increase in funding to local public health departments.  

One of the other issues we recently debated on the floor was the appointment of Dr. John Kuehn to the State Health Board. I supported this appointment because I served with John for four years when he was a State Senator and I found him to be very intelligent and fact-based in his decision making. The opposition to his appointment came because he is co-chair of anti-marijuana legalization organization here in Nebraska. Dr. Kuehn and Governor Ricketts have done a podcast about the facts of marijuana use.

I am providing the link to it and I highly encourage everyone to take a few minutes to sit down at your computer and watch it. It is very informative about the dangers of marijuana use, especially by young people. 

View here: https://youtu.be/DU6bftKH-EU

Listen here: http://bit.ly/3b27kEg

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.