Dan Quick, (Liz Macias, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND — Dan Quick is currently running for the Nebraska Legislature’s District 35 seat.
“I’m announcing my candidacy for state legislature because for me it’s about caring for the people you serve and introducing policy that will improve their lives,” Quick stated in a press release.
Speaking to his background, Quick said he and his wife have resided in Grand Island since 1980, he said he worked at the Grand Island Power Plant for 28 years.
He also served as President and Business Manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1597 and as President of the Nebraska State Utility Workers Conference.
District 35 is currently represented by Senator Raymond Aguilar, who was most recently elected to the seat in 2020.
Quick previously represented the district, being elected in 2017 and serving until 2020. While in office, he served on the Banking, Commerce, and Insurance, General Affairs, Natural Resources, and Urban Affairs committees.
Quick was appointed by the Legislature to serve on the committee that addressed concerns about conditions of assisted living facilities for residents who suffer from mental health issues. He was also appointed to serve on the Economic Development Task Force and the Juvenile Interstate Compact.
““We passed legislation to increase access to early childhood education, to add protections to keep dangerous and addictive tobacco and vaping products out of the hands of our children, another to strengthen laws to combat human trafficking, and another to address vacant and abandoned properties in our communities,” Quick said in a press release.
He now sits on the Central Community College board of governors and serves on the Blessed Sacrament Parish Council, the Heartland United Way Board of Directors, the Nebraska Alliance of Child Advocacy Centers Board of Directors, and other related committees.
“I try to stay active and help people in my community,” Quick said.
Quick said the four years that he served in the Unicameral helped him to understand the legislature process, how to assist his community, how to stay in contact while serving in Lincoln and how to listen to their concerns.
He said his most recent work with the various boards has connected him even more with the Grand Island community. “I love that part, working with people directly and finding out how I can help them.”
When questioned why he is pursuing the District 35 seat once again, Quick said, “I loved serving in the Legislature the last time I was in there. Its all about helping your community, serving your community.”
With his most recent connections, Quick said he feels he is a stronger candidate during this run.
Speaking to his priority issues, Quick said he has been canvasing the district and has been to 6,000 doors meeting with residents. He said he has heard often about property tax valuations and that this will need to be addressed in the legislature.
Another topic mentioned by district residents is quality education. Quick said he likes what Grand Island Public Schools does with their current Pathway program and hopes that model could be expanded to rural school districts.
Economic development is another area Quick has heard about. Businesses need workers but the workers need houses to move into, so Quick plans to address affordable housing.
Juvenile justice is another area Quick sees needing attention and noted it is important to keep juveniles out of the justice system and out of detention, which ultimately helps to lower costs for residents.
When asked how he would involve community leaders and experts, Quick said the last time he was in the legislature, one of his two staff members would come with him to Grand Island, and they would speak with stakeholders if they could be impacted by a bill.
“It was important to get their input, to find out exactly what they felt was an issue and how we could help,” Quick said.
Quick noted that three of the bills he brought to the floor that were passed were brought to him by constituents.
When asked about the role of government in the lives of citizens, Quick said government plays a role in people’s everyday lives, including public power, law enforcement, firefighters, wastewater treatment, etc.
Quick said that locally, people have a voice about what happens in their community through their government representatives, local and state.
“People have to remember, they are the government, they have a voice, and they should use it to express that,” Quick said.
“We need to focus on policies that will benefit Nebraskans with issues they face each and every day. I will work to improve the economic well-being of our residents – supporting small businesses and bringing back manufacturing jobs to the area, lowering the cost of healthcare, and shielding Nebraskans from the impact of out-of-control property taxes and valuations,” Quick stated in a press release when addressing his priorities.
Quick said in closing that he wanted to thank his constituents for their support along the way, he said its more about them than it is about him. “They are the people that I am serving.”
Editor’s Note: Dan Quick appeared on 1340 KGFW and this article was written using information provided during that interview. The full interview can be found here.
