LAWMAKERS PROPOSE DECADE-LONG PLAN TO REDUCE NEBRASKA K-12 PROPERTY TAX RATES

LINCOLN- A new proposal during the special legislative session provides an alternative to tax relief and school funding. State Senator Jana Hughes of Seward introduced Legislative Bill 9, which would progressively lower the maximum general fund property tax rates for local school districts over the next decade. Hughes emphasized that her plan is not in opposition to Governor Pillen's but provides another option.

Pillen's plan has similar sentiments to Hughes', but hers is less drastic because it incorporates less money and gives the state a longer timeline. The group of bipartisan legislators that Hughes worked with included State Senators Tom Brewer, Myron Dorn, Danielle Conrad, and Lynne Walz. The group has been doing outreach to the rest of the legislature to explain the impact of their plan and promote the alternative option.

Pillen has stated that the state needs to act urgently to solve the property tax crisis and that a 10-year plan wouldn't be effective. The two plans agree in many areas, but Hughes takes a more conservative route. Those who believe Pillen's plan is too radical are looking forward to a difficult challenge during this special session.

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