LINCOLN- State Senator Julie Slama of Dunbar criticized Governor Jim Pillen’s property tax relief plan for disproportionately benefiting him and proposed her own package of constitutional amendments. Her proposal, inspired by Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), sets hard limits on state, local, and school taxing and spending. She split her proposal to comply with Nebraska's single-subject rule and presented it to the Revenue Committee, emphasizing it as a long-term solution to rising taxes driven by increased government spending.

Slama's amendments aim to cap spending and taxing authority at all government levels unless approved by a public vote. The proposal includes provisions for constituents to sue the government to enforce the caps, requires public votes for major government debt issuance, and mandates a baseline rainy day fund of 3%. Slama believes this approach empowers voters and prevents large projects without voter approval. Despite a lack of support from other testifiers, State Senators Brad von Gillern and Kathleen Kauth showed interest, noting the potential durability of a constitutional amendment.

Critics, including State Senator George Dungan and experts from Colorado, raised concerns about the negative impacts on school and local funding. They cited Colorado's low teacher pay, insufficient school funding, and poor infrastructure conditions as consequences of TABOR. Colorado representatives Jon Cannon and Lynn Rex warned that Nebraska could face similar issues, with restricted government spending leading to competitive wage issues and underfunded public services. Despite the criticisms, Slama maintained that her proposal would give Nebraskans a direct say in tax policy, emphasizing its potential to complement short-term property tax fixes from the Legislature.

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