Sen. Dan Hughes announces run for second Legislative term

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With three years of his four-year term already under his belt, 44th District Sen. Dan Hughes made it official Monday that he will seek a second term in the Nebraska Legislature.

Hughes went to Lincoln with a goal of creating some property tax relief for Nebraskans, especially those in the ag sector. 

Hughes said this week the property tax relief continues to be one of his main objectives in Lincoln. 

“I’m supportive of any effort to reduce property taxes,” he said this week.

“The property tax problem is proving to be a tough nut to crack, but I believe we are making headway,” he added. 

With more urban homeowners complaining about high property taxes, Hughes said that will bring more senators to the table, seeking a solution.

Last summer, Hughes worked with a number of his colleagues on possible solutions to the property tax issue. 

Huge deficits in the state budget left little room for funding alternatives to create much substantial property tax relief during this year’s 90-day session. 

While he’s keeping close tabs on the property tax issue this summer, he has been serving on the Nebraska Justice System Special Oversight Committee created by LR 127. 

The committee is looking at Nebraska’s prisons, its operations and ways to solve overcrowding and employee retention challenges.

As a result, he’s visited every correctional institution in the state.

First elected in 2014

Hughes was originally elected to the Legislature in 2014.

He’s been a member of the Legislature’s Executive Board and his colleagues elected him chairman of the Natural Resources Committee in Jaunary 2017.

He also serves on the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee and the Building Maintenance and Reference Committees.

Based on his experience as former school board member, Hughes got LB 710—a bill to change provisions relating to hazing—signed into law.

Previously, Nebraska law only prohibited hazing by post-secondary students. His bill extended the same protections to younger students. 

Hughes’ LB 182 expanded the powers under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The fund provides loans, grants and loan forgiveness to public water systems that demonstrate financial hardship. 

Prior to his bill, use of the fund was limited to political subdivision of 10,000 or more population. Hughes’ bill opened up the program to those subdivisions of 10,000 or less, as well.

Hughes believes safe and dependable roads are vital to rural communities and the state as a whole. 

He supported the passage of LB 960, the Transportation Innovation Act, which set aside $40 million to fund repair or replace structurally deficient county bridges. Six bridges were identified in Legislative District 44.

Hughes belongs to a number or organizations including the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association, Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Grant Rotary Club, Venango Lions Club, and the Ag Builders of Nebraska.

He is also the past president of Wheat Associates, which promotes the sale of U.S. wheat around the world. 

The 44th District encompasses 10 counties in southwest Nebraska including Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Gosper, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Perkins and Red Willow.

To date, no other candidates have announced their intent to seek the seat held by Hughes. 

 

The Grant Tribune-Sentinel

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Grant NE 69140