Nebraska Senator Jana Hughes held a legislative update coffee, providing timely information about bills she has introduced and more. Dutch Kitchen provided free coffee and pastries for those attending.
Former state senator Curt Friesen introduced District #24 Nebraska State Senator Jana Hughes Monday morning at the Dutch Kitchen. About 16 constituents were present to hear her update and ask questions about various upcoming legislative bills. Friesen complimented Hughes on her knowledge and said she was doing a good job in the legislature in her third year of serving.
Senator Hughes was very upbeat about this year’s session and said it seemed more “normal” than what happened last year at the Nebraska Legislature. She mentioned the difficulty of getting things accomplished somewhat due to the high turnover rate of senators and the fact that so many “newbies” are still learning each year.
This is one reason she is in favor of lengthening senator term limits from two four-year terms to three. “I feel like I’m finally getting it after three years and realize how long it takes to work on legislation and learn the ropes.” She also discussed the effect of Nebraska’s outdated and low salary of $12,000/year for senators. County commissioners often make two to three times that amount, and she said the low salary limits on who can serve as a senator. This issue will be addressed in 2026.
“It’s refreshing to be back to normal and see a bill was actually passed yesterday. By the end of next week priority bills are due and it will be interesting to see what everyone picks as their priority,” said Hughes. She is still undecided about her priority pick and will base her decision on what she sees others picking and choosing by next week, she said.
She outlined and explained Governor Pillen’s top four bills he is pushing for passage this session: LB246 (Fake Meat Ban), LB3 (Winner Take All), LB303 (School Funding/property tax relief), and LB89 (Stand with Women Act.)
“We have a large deficit problem this year, and the number keeps changing from as high as $400 million to $350 million. Unfortunately, I don’t know where we will get the funds, but we need to modernize our tax system. Nebraska has the most sales tax exemptions in the country, so we need to look seriously at adding more services that can be taxed,” she said.
Senator Hughes is becoming known for her concern about vaping with the bill she passed last year and this year proposing LB712, a 40% wholesale tax on vaping products. She also expressed her concern about how vaping products and another nicotine powder called Zen are sold in pouches that are flavored and marketed to appeal to teenagers.
She answered questions about the debate over stopping an annual time change and going to either daylight savings time or standard time. She believes Nebraska should choose one or the other and go with whichever one the surrounding states choose. Colorado has enacted legislation to change to daylight savings time.
Senator Hughes serves as vice chair of the Education Committee, Natural Resources Committee, Education Commission of the States, Midwestern Higher Education Compact Commission, and Building Maintenance.
She invited everyone who attended to sign up for her weekly newsletter and encouraged them to email her with any questions or concerns, which she would answer.
