LINCOLN- If Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen calls lawmakers back to the Capitol this summer to tackle the state's property tax crisis, it could be among the costliest special sessions in state history. Pillen, now in his second year as governor, has remained firm in vowing to "call as many special sessions as it takes" in his pursuit of reducing local property taxes by 40% by the end of the year.

Reducing the rate by 40% equates to around $2 billion. In his April 18th end-of-session speech, Pillen said it was unacceptable that lawmakers failed to enact any meaningful relief. "Enjoy halftime," he told the body, "We'll see you again here soon." The Legislature's accounting office released cost breakdowns for special sessions of varying lengths this year:

Five Days: $79,686 (Roughly $16,000 per session day)
Seven Days: $130,165 (Roughly $18,500 per session day)
Ten Days $174,876 (Roughly $17,500 per session day)

Three years ago, lawmakers returned in the summer for a 13-day session concerning redistricting, which cost a total of $105,436, or around $8,000 per day. If estimates hold, the property tax special session would see the largest per-day cost increases between sessions in Unicameral history.

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