Changes

On March 19, 2011, Hughes dedicated the Mineola Nature Preserve, a conservation project which began in 2002, the year he was first elected to the state House. The preserve includes nearly three thousand acres along the Sabine River, which are inhabited by almost two hundred animal species; the preserve also includes trails for visitors, an area of wetland, and locations for birdwatchers. The two-acre Pullen Pond is funded by Ozarka Brand Spring Water.[11]

On March 19, 2011, Hughes dedicated the Mineola Nature Preserve, a conservation project which began in 2002, the year he was first elected to the state House. The preserve includes nearly three thousand acres along the Sabine River, which are inhabited by almost two hundred animal species; the preserve also includes trails for visitors, an area of wetland, and locations for birdwatchers. The two-acre Pullen Pond is funded by Ozarka Brand Spring Water.[11]

On September 13, 2011, Hughes called upon Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott to investigate a new air pollution rule of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Abbott indicated that he is already checking into the issue raised by Hughes. According to Hughes, the rule if implemented had the potential of producing blackouts, increasing costs to consumers, and creating job losses.[12] Hughes added that the directive would cause the Luminant utility company to shut down operations in his own district as well as across the state. Hughes continued, "I don't know what’s going on in Washington, but here in the real world, money is tight, and families are struggling. . . . As if the job losses weren’t enough, these new rules will also raise electric rates – in the middle of a recession."[12]

On September 13, 2011, Hughes called upon Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott to investigate a new air pollution rule of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Abbott indicated that he is already checking into the issue raised by Hughes. According to Hughes, the rule if implemented had the potential of producing blackouts, increasing costs to consumers, and creating job losses.<ref name=epa>"Representative Bryan Hughes Decries EPA Attack on Texas Jobs". new.bryanhughes.com. http://new.bryanhughes.com/2011/09/representative-bryan-hughes-decries-epa-attack-on-texas-jobs/. Retrieved September 26, 2011</ref> Hughes added that the directive would cause the Luminant utility company to shut down operations in his own district as well as across the state. Hughes continued, "I don't know what’s going on in Washington, but here in the real world, money is tight, and families are struggling. . . . As if the job losses weren’t enough, these new rules will also raise electric rates – in the middle of a recession."<ref name=epa/>

'''Dispute with Speaker Straus'''

===Dispute with Speaker Straus===

A firm conservative, Hughes was initially pledged to support a second term for moderate Republican [[Joe Straus]] of San Antonio as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. However, after the 2010 elections, Hughes withdrew his support for Straus, who nevertheless retained the Speakership, on the grounds that Straus had punished intraparty conservative opponents with redistricting. Hughes based his charge on a conversation with one of Straus' staffers, who allegedly notified Hughes that plans were already being laid to alter Straus' opponents' districts. Hughes said that he was informed that efforts were especially aimed at two East Texas members, then Representative-elect [[Erwin Cain]] of Sulphur Springs and [[Dan Flynn]] of Van in Van Zandt County, Texas. Representative [[Chuck Hopson]] of Jacksonville, a Democrat-turned-Republican and chairman of the House Ethics Committee, called upon Hughes to reveal the name of the informant.[13] Hopson had received $42,000 in contributions from Straus.<ref>"Rep. Chuck Hopson, Who Chairs Ethics Panel Investigating Allegation Against Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, Received $42K," Texas Watchdog, November 22, 2010</ref>

A firm conservative, Hughes was initially pledged to support a second term for moderate Republican [[Joe Straus]] of San Antonio as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. However, after the 2010 elections, Hughes withdrew his support for Straus, who nevertheless retained the Speakership, on the grounds that Straus had punished intraparty conservative opponents with redistricting. Hughes based his charge on a conversation with one of Straus' staffers, who allegedly notified Hughes that plans were already being laid to alter Straus' opponents' districts. Hughes said that he was informed that efforts were especially aimed at two East Texas members, then Representative-elect [[Erwin Cain]] of Sulphur Springs and [[Dan Flynn]] of Van in Van Zandt County, Texas. Representative [[Chuck Hopson]] of Jacksonville, a Democrat-turned-Republican and chairman of the House Ethics Committee, called upon Hughes to reveal the name of the informant.[13] Hopson had received $42,000 in contributions from Straus.<ref>"Rep. Chuck Hopson, Who Chairs Ethics Panel Investigating Allegation Against Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, Received $42K," Texas Watchdog, November 22, 2010</ref>

11.^ "State Representative Bryan Hughes to Dedicate Mineola Nature Preserve Project on Saturday, March 19, 2011". libertylinked.com. http://libertylinked.com/posts/6921/state-representative-bryan/View.aspx. Retrieved September 26, 2011.  

11.^ "State Representative Bryan Hughes to Dedicate Mineola Nature Preserve Project on Saturday, March 19, 2011". libertylinked.com. http://libertylinked.com/posts/6921/state-representative-bryan/View.aspx. Retrieved September 26, 2011.  

13.^ "Elise Hu, "Bryan Hughes Withdraws Support for Straus," November 10, 2010". texastribune.org. http://www.texastribune.org/texas-house-of-representatives/speaker-of-the-house/bryan-hughes-withdraws-support-for-straus/. Retrieved September 26, 2011.  

13.^ "Elise Hu, "Bryan Hughes Withdraws Support for Straus," November 10, 2010". texastribune.org. http://www.texastribune.org/texas-house-of-representatives/speaker-of-the-house/bryan-hughes-withdraws-support-for-straus/. Retrieved September 26, 2011.