LINCOLN- Two public opinion polls provided contrasting results over whether or not Nebraskans agree with Gov. Pillen's proposal to raise the state sales tax in an attempt to offset property taxes. Pillen's proposal, which has yet to be debated by the full Legislature, has been criticized by some as a "tax hike" and an unacceptable tax shift from typically conservative and tax-cutting groups.

However, others, especially farm groups, have praised the governor's measure, arguing that it's a necessary step to address an unfair property tax burden on farms and ranches. One of the polls, released on Thursday by the Nebraska Association of County Officials, was praised by Pillen in a press release. It found that 65% of Nebraskans supported a 1% state sales tax hike "to allow governments to continue to provide important services."

However, another poll conducted by the Holland Children's Institute found that a plurality of respondents, roughly 45% opposed reducing "Nebraska's state property taxes by raising state sales taxes from 5.5% to 6.5%." The two polls also followed one released in January by Americans for Prosperity Nebraskan, which suggested that 70% of Nebraskans opposed raising sales taxes to decrease property taxes.

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