OMAHA- Around 300 Nebraskans recently attended an event led by state senators in Omaha. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen's tax plan and special legislative session were the topics of discussion with many posing questions to legislators regarding the logistical legitimacy of the governor's ideas and his reasons for neglecting to hold meetings in the state's most populous cities. The meeting was led by State Senators Machaela Cavanaugh, Terrell McKinney, Merv Riepe, Christy Armendariz, Jane Raybould, Carol Blood, and John Cavanaugh.

Those in opposition to Pillen's tax plan disagree with his plan to have the state absorb K-12 school funding, emphasizing the importance of maintaining local control and meeting the complex needs of each school. Criticisms were voiced over Pillen's avoidance of eastern Nebraska, where he is less popular. Though most of the lawmakers present weren't supporters of Pillen's tax reform ideas, they all recognized that increasing property taxes is a crisis in the state and that if it isn't addressed, it will continue to drive people from their homes.

Attendees voiced the same concerns that lawmakers have expressed in the past weeks. Constituents pointed to recent audits to support their point that the state government is wasteful. Citizens are also concerned that replacing lost revenue from lowering property taxes with new sales taxes will result in a disproportionately negative effect on lower-income Nebraskans. Pillen officially released his plan recently and is confident he will garner enough bipartisan support to get it passed.

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