LINCOLN- On Monday, Gov. Pillen expressed disappointment that, despite an influx of $324 million in additional state aid to K-12 schools, property taxes for local education statewide still increased by $85 million. "It's unacceptable," said Pillen, "Year one is not where we want to be." A package of bills passed in the Nebraska Legislature earlier this year would've allowed 92 of the state's 244 school districts to lower their collection of property taxes or keep them flat.

However, 188 of the 244 districts voted to override the 3% revenue cap that was imposed as part of Legislative Bill 583, which led to the overall increase in property taxes. "The intent...was that overriding the 3% would be the exception to the rule," said Pillen, "We have to stop spending money." Some disagree with that sentiment. The OpenSky Policy Institute, a Lincoln-based think tank, argued that the "one-size-fits-all funding mechanism" promoted by Pillen is the wrong approach to meeting educational needs.

"Locally elected school board members are best positioned to determine what resources are needed to provide the learning environment and support from teachers to prepare students for a bright future," said Rebecca Firestone of the OpenSky Institute. Joining Pillen at a Monday press conference were the superintendents of the Elwood and Norris school districts, who were both able to reduce property taxes over the past 6 months.

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