LINCOLN- Two proposals aiming to tighten limits on property taxes collected by schools and other local government drew more opposition than support at a public hearing on Wednesday. However, some members of the Legislature's Revenue Committee, which held the hearing, argued that these bills are key parts of Gov. Pillen's broader plan of cutting property taxes by 40% in Nebraska.

"This absolutely is a piece of a puzzle that this committee is working to assemble," said Sen. Brad von Gillern, who introduced one of the proposals. LB1241, Sen. von Gillern's bill, would require that local government drop their property tax levies in proportion to valuation increases, meaning that property tax collections would be held flat from year to year.

Sen. von Gillern said his intent with LB1241 is to prevent local governments from getting a windfall when property valuations rise. He argued that governing boards, when in such situations, often tout their success at holding tax levies down, even though property owners with valuation hikes may pay more in taxes.

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