OPINION (By Chris Chappelear- Nebraska Examiner)- "People should not be afraid to call out elected officials from their own political parties, especially when they are out of their depth. So, no matter what you think of any of the property tax plans considered by the Nebraska Legislature, it is clear that Gov. Jim Pillen mismanaged this entire special session from the start.
His original plan shifted the tax burden and increased taxes on ordinary Nebraskans so wealthy landowners like Bill Gates, Ted Turner, and even himself could get out of paying as much tax as possible. Instead of the 40% reduction in property taxes promised by Gov. Pillen back in February, “guaranteed,” the estimate of the current plan is only a 3% cut in property taxes. Even then, it is a sleight-of-hand trick designed to make it look like property tax relief is happening when it’s really just making property tax credits that people are already entitled to apply automatically.
It’s not as if the Legislature lacked any alternative plans – the Revenue Committee (led by an ally of the governor) refused to consider anything other than the governor’s ideas...."