PILLEN PIVOTS FROM HIS OWN PROPERTY TAX PLAN TO EMBRACE EMERGING LEGISLATIVE PLAN

LINCOLN- Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen announced a shift from his original property tax relief proposal to a new plan developed by State Senator Lou Ann Linehan and the Revenue Committee. This new plan, which replaces Pillen's original proposal with Legislative Bill 9 introduced by State Senator Jana Hughes, aims to offset $1.8 billion in school-related property tax revenue by expanding the state sales tax base and including new taxes on items such as alcohol, candy, and gambling. The plan also removes caps on local spending for public safety and proposes using state tax dollars to reduce property tax burdens for natural resources districts and county jails.

The new proposal diverges from Pillen's original plan by maintaining sales tax exemptions for home and auto repairs, legal, and accounting services while introducing a 2% sales tax on new agricultural or manufacturing machinery and equipment. Supporters argue the plan addresses concerns about funding public safety and local government responsibilities, while opponents like State Senator Danielle Conrad criticize it as a "reverse Robin Hood scheme" and plan to fight what they call one of the largest tax increases in history. Despite differing views, the plan emphasizes a broader sales tax base to provide property tax relief and aims to be more acceptable to various stakeholders.

The Revenue Committee plans to consolidate multiple property tax relief bills into LB 9, seeking to reduce the maximum school district tax rate more rapidly than originally proposed by Hughes and offering immediate property tax relief. Although the plan has faced resistance, Linehan believes it will gain support across Nebraska, as it shifts the tax burden from property taxes to sales taxes, giving consumers more control over their expenses. Governor Pillen emphasizes the need for structural relief and spending caps to ensure long-term benefits, indicating his willingness to adapt for the purpose of legislative progress.

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NE LAWMAKERS ADJOURN FOR THE WEEKEND, WILL CONTINUE WORK ON PROPERTY TAX RELIEF BEHIND THE SCENES

LINCOLN- The Nebraska Legislature will be finalizing its plan for property tax relief over the weekend as adjournment until Monday was called for on Wednesday. This is because the Revenue Committee needs more time to craft its new approach to tax reform. After State Senator Lou Ann Linehan motioned for adjourning until Monday, it passed on a 33-11 vote.

The new tax relief plan is intended to be a rewrite of Legislative Bill 9, which was planned to be the subject of debate this week. In addressing an amendment, lawmakers require more time to present a sufficient approach. Although it may seem like legislators are taking the weekend off, they are working diligently to provide property tax relief to Nebraskans.

Linehan has said that she will spend time meeting with key senators to negotiate her plan and try to earn the votes needed to get reform passed into law. Many legislators have expressed frustrations with the process, but want to achieve something and not waste the state's resources while in session. “We’re to the point where we can’t just come and complain about the bill,” Linehan said.

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PILLEN'S PICK FOR NE'S TOP INFORMATION OFFICER APOLOGIZES FOR CONTROVERSIAL EMAIL

LINCOLN- During the confirmation hearing for Governor Jim Pillen's appointee, Matthew McCarville, as the state’s chief information officer, lawmakers scrutinized his ability to remain politically neutral following a controversial email. McCarville, who previously worked in information technology at the University of Colorado, apologized for the email, which encouraged state employees to participate in a legislative hearing on Pillen’s tax plan, calling it an accidental mistake. Despite his self-reporting to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission and assurances that such an incident would not recur, concerns about political favoritism and potential misuse of public resources were raised, with the committee taking no immediate action on his nomination.

State Senator Danielle Conrad filed a complaint, accusing McCarville of using public resources to distribute campaign materials, which she argued was part of a series of inappropriate actions by Pillen's administration. The email, which shared a social media post from Pillen’s campaign and encouraged employee participation in the tax plan hearing, was seen by some committee members as potentially pressuring staff. McCarville maintained that the intention was simply to inform staff about the hearing due to office chatter, not to advocate a position, and emphasized that he would avoid any conflicts of interest in his role.

Committee members, including State Sens. Megan Hunt and Jane Raybould, expressed skepticism and concern over the implications of the email for employee treatment and contract award processes. McCarville reassured the committee that he would ensure no partisan bias influenced his decisions and highlighted his goals of modernizing state websites, improving data-sharing, and updating state systems. His appointment remains pending formal legislative approval, with his past work and qualifications discussed alongside the contentious email incident.

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EPIC OPTION HEARD AGAIN IN COMMITTEE, DESPITE VOTERS DENYING IT PLACE ON BALLOT

LINCOLN- State Senator Steve Erdman proposed Legislative Bill 16 and complimentary constitutional amendments to allow Nebraska voters to weigh in on the EPIC Option consumption tax after a petition drive fell short of signatures for the November ballot. The EPIC tax plan seeks to replace state and local property, income, corporate, and inheritance taxes with a broader consumption tax, but it faces significant legislative hurdles despite support from the Nebraska Republican Party. At a recent hearing, most testimonies favored the proposal, but organized opposition was minimal.

EPIC supporters argue the current three-legged tax system, which includes income, sales, and property taxes, has been broken since its inception in the 1960s. They believe a consumption tax would be fairer and protect property rights, with testimony from farmers, ranchers, and homeowners highlighting the burden of rising property taxes. Despite this support, opponents, including Governor Jim Pillen and several organizations, argue that a consumption tax rate of 22% would be required to fund state and local services, a claim proponents dispute by suggesting a 7.5% rate would suffice.

With significant political and logistical challenges ahead, the future of the EPIC tax proposal remains difficult for supporters.

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GOV. PILLEN AT ODDS WITH FORMER HUSKERS COACH TOM OSBORNE ON ONLINE SPORTS BETTING

LINCOLN- Hall of Fame former Nebraska head football coach Tom Osborne testified against legalizing online sports betting, arguing it would exacerbate problems for athletes and turn sporting events into gambling exercises. This stance contrasts with Governor Jim Pillen, one of Osborne's former players, who supports legalization despite his personal opposition to gambling. Osborne, along with other opponents, expressed concerns about increased addiction rates and suggested waiting to assess the impact of recently legalized casinos at race tracks before expanding gambling further.

The General Affairs Committee heard testimony on three pieces of legislation introduced by State Sens. Eliot Bostar and Justin Wayne to legalize online sports betting through constitutional amendments and establish a framework for mobile sports wagering. Bostar emphasized that Nebraskans are already engaging in online sports betting through neighboring states and the black market, arguing that legalization would provide a regulated environment and significant tax benefits. Both senators highlighted the potential revenue loss to neighboring states and the black market, with Bostar estimating at least $32 million in annual revenue.

Supporters, including Lance Morgan from Ho-Chunk Inc., pointed out the economic benefits and potential for tax revenue without burdening Nebraskans. Gov. Pillen acknowledged that many Nebraskans already engage in online sports betting and stated he would support future legislation, though he has not endorsed the current proposals. The committee took no immediate action on the bills, leaving the debate on online sports betting's potential legalization and its implications for Nebraska ongoing.

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NE'S TIF ECONOMIC DEVELPOMENT TOOL COULD BE IN JEOPARDY, SOME SAY

LINCOLN- Leaders in Nebraska believe that an essential tool for economic development could be jeopardized during the special legislative session's property tax reform. The tax-increment financing program, known as TIF, was introduced in the 1980s to encourage growth in struggling areas. The program allowed a developer to gain city approval to use increased property taxes generated by improving a blighted property to help fund a redevelopment program.

Lawmakers have flooded the legislature with different approaches to lowering property taxes and the impact it would have on TIF. It is widely understood that the call for cutting the levy would reduce the revenue generated and available to pay back a TIF loan. “A giant artificial drop in the levy would … make trouble for current TIF projects and make new TIF projects unworkable,” said Steve Curtiss, finance director for the City of Omaha.

Critics have questioned whether the program is overused and if it's incentivizing greedy developers. After a TIF development is finished, property taxes on the site go to the developer rather than the usual recipients: school districts and local governments. Multiple plans in the legislature are still in play, so a surefire solution has yet to be found.

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BILL TO GIVE RELIEF TO NE RENTERS DRAWS A FEW BACKERS, NO OPPONENTS, TO TESTIFY AT HEARING

LINCOLN- While the legislature deals with a flurry of proposals aimed at offering relief to property owners, State Senator Eliot Bostar of Lincoln introduced Legislative Bill 14, which would assist renters. There were 12 letters of support for the bill, two of which publicly testified, and none in opposition. Under the bill, renters would be eligible for a refundable income tax credit of 5% of their lease expenses during the taxable year.

While the yearly cost is estimated at $153 million, Bostar suspects only 10% of the 260,000 renters in the state would take advantage of the credit at first. He says the idea stems from the belief that savings obtained by property owners due to Governor Jim Pillen's tax plan may not be passed down to renters. This bill can help offset the negative impact that renters would likely face under Pillen's plan.

Constituents have pointed to the rapidly growing eviction filings in the state to support their claim that the state is in crisis when it comes to affordable housing. As a result, the vacancy rate for apartments is below the ideal threshold. State Senator Terrell McKinney also introduced a bill focused on relieving renters of some of their financial burden.

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REGENTS CONSIDER MULTIMILLION DOLLAR START TO 'PROJECT NExT' AT UNMC

LINCOLN — Next week, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents will consider moving ahead with a multimillion-dollar health project meant to benefit the state’s healthcare capacity.

The regents will meet Aug. 8 to consider the $2.19 billion first phase of Project NExT at the University of Nebraska Medical Center as well as NU’s two-year budget request for the Legislature next session. The board will also consider creating new undergraduate programs in artificial intelligence and esports media and communication, among other items.

UNMC is seeking regent approval of its more detailed plan for the $2.19 billion first phase of Project NExT, and for a green light to spend $50 million more in existing philanthropic funds for related design work. The first phase has been dubbed Project Health: Building the Healthiest Nebraska. Its focus is limited to Nebraska, providing expansions and improvements to boost research, education, clinical, and community services aimed at benefiting the state’s healthcare needs. On a broader scope, Project NExT’s overall investment could surpass $4 billion and include two future phases.

“Project Health will provide the appropriate amount of room, support and ancillary space to continue the mission of training future healthcare professionals,” says UNMC materials prepared for the regents.

UNMC leaders say Project Health furthers the goal of growing professional student enrollment by up to 25% to meet Nebraska’s urban and rural healthcare needs.

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LONGTIME NEBRASKA HOMEOWNERS WOULD GET TARGETED RELIEF UNDER NEW LEGISLATIVE BILLS

LINCOLN- Three bills introduced to the legislature during the special session would bring relief to Nebraskan homeowners based on how long they've owned a home in the state. State Senator Mike McDonnell of Omaha introduced Legislative Bill 75, which would exempt certain homeowners from paying property taxes after 40 years of homeownership in Nebraska, and LB 77, which offers property tax relief for the portion paid to the local school district for homeowners who have lived in the same house for at least 10 years. “I think you should be able to sit on your porch one day of your life and say, ‘I truly own my home, and I’m no longer a partner in paying rent to the government in the form of property tax,’” McDonnell said.

State Senator Julie Slama of Dunbar brought a package of 16 constitutional amendments to the legislature which would limit the taxing and spending authority of local and state governments with private lawsuits approved as sanctions to enforce the provision. The bill can be voted on packaged together or individually, but Nebraska's Supreme Court has recently been strictly enforcing the state Constitution's single-subject requirement for ballot measures. Slama has based her proposal on Colorado law due to her opinion that the hard caps on spending in Pillen's plan can easily be worked around.

Among the rest of the 81 bills introduced were two from Omaha State Senators Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney that would legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis for adults ages 21 and older. Wayne's LB 52 would set guidelines for the growth, testing, manufacturing, distributing, selling, and oversight of marijuana in Nebraska. McKinney's LB71 would create a regulatory regime and taxation for the product. These bills only scratch the surface of what's been introduced during Nebraska's special legislative session.

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NE LAWMAKER CALLS PROPOSED HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION 'UNIVERSAL' RELIEF FOR HUSKER HOMEOWNERS

LINCOLN- A new tax relief approach slated to be heard this special legislative session would eliminate property taxes for the first $100,000 of a home's value in the state. Omaha State Senator John Cavanaugh described his bill as targeting Nebraskan citizens rather than corporate, out-of-state property owners. “If we are serious about giving relief to homeowners, and not large wealthy landowners, this is a possible solution,” Cavanaugh stated.

Cavanaugh introduced Legislative Bill 22 on the second day of the session called by Governor Jim Pillen to address the property tax crisis in the state. Lawmakers will be considering various approaches to alleviating the issue, including Pillen's. Cavanaugh has expressed that he seeks to address the root of the problem: Nebraskans on fixed incomes being forced from their homes due to property taxes rampantly growing.

Cavanaugh is open to other avenues to relieve the property tax burden, such as pausing income tax cuts or repealing the Perkins County Canal project and directing those funds toward property tax relief. While this bill is directed towards occupied homes, separate legislation has been introduced to provide relief for renters. Cavanaugh promoted his legislation as a universal addition to the existing homestead exemption program in the state.

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'NOT GOING TO WAIT AND SEE': LAWMAKER PROPOSES AMENDING SCHOOL AID FORMULA

LINCOLN — A Nebraska lawmaker told members of a legislative committee Thursday that they don’t need to wait until January to address problems in state-aided funding to local schools.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, the Revenue Committee chair, presented Legislative Bill 45 before the Education Committee on Thursday. It would remove the “resources” part of the state’s “equalization aid” formula — referred to as a school district’s “needs” minus its “resources.”

That formula, the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act, or TEEOSA, was put in place in 1990 as a way for the state to more equitably allocate state funds to school districts. It has been perennially updated since its adoption. For the 2024-25 school year, TEEOSA is calculated between 18 “needs” and six “resources.” Linehan told the committee, of which she is a member, that part of the reason she introduced LB 45 is to have a conversation that can be part of the broader special session to address property taxes. TEEOSA is one part of broader state funding, including foundation aid for every student.

Linehan introduced LB 1 this special session on behalf of Gov. Jim Pillen, whose final approach to property tax relief for school districts was to provide more than $2 billion in annual tax credits to cover the districts’ taxes and let future Legislatures sort out revisions to or a rewrite of TEEOSA.

“It’s a little different than the Pillen plan because Pillen says we’re going to wait and see,” Linehan told the Nebraska Examiner. “We’re not going to wait and see,” she said of the Legislature.

Total state aid to the school districts is estimated to be $1.16 billion for the 2024-25 school year.

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ERNIE CHAMBERS WITHDRAWS FROM NORTH OMAHA LEGISLATIVE RACE

OMAHA- According to Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse, State Senator Ernie Chambers of Omaha has filed to remove his name from the November ballot, where he was slated to run for re-election to his longtime seat in the Nebraska Legislature. Kruse stated that 87-year-old Chambers told him his political career was likely over, but he still plans on exercising his right to vote. He had no immediate comment on his withdrawal at this time.

Chambers advanced in the May primary elections as a nonpartisan candidate to face incumbent Democratic State Senator Terrell McKinney of Omaha. The third-place finisher in the primaries, nonpartisan Calandra Cooper, has yet to comment on the situation. McKinney said the decision surprised him, but thanked Chambers for his service and advocacy.

Chambers spent 46 years as a state lawmaker where he became proficient in using legislative rules. He often took pleasure in stalling legislation from the conservative majority which he disagreed with. He also was an integral component in the abolition of the death penalty in the state in 2015 before voters restored it the next year through a ballot measure.

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NEBRASKA SENATOR SAYS GOVERNOR MISUSED PUBLIC RESOURCES TO PROMOTE HIS CAMPAIGN AND TAX PLAN

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, State Senator Danielle Conrad of Lincoln filed a campaign finance complaint against Governor Jim Pillen claiming that he misused taxpayer funds to promote his political campaign and property tax reform plan across the state. Conrad's letter to the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission alleged an improper link between his campaign website and a taxpayer-funded report outlining budget cuts, use of state funds for campaigning, and inappropriate promotion of his tax plan via the state's email system. The Governor's Office has yet to comment, but spokeswoman Laura Strimple said last week that the governor used his own funds.

Nebraska law prohibits an official from using public resources to campaign for an election or legislation. Civil penalties including fines can be imposed if a violation is proven. Conrad's letter added that she and her constituents were concerned about the possible crossover between state funds and private campaign funds.

Officials from the Accountability and Disclosure Commission did not comment on the situation. Typically, the commission refrains from issuing a public statement until a violation is confirmed. Conrad's letter recognized the governor's right to exercise his First Amendment right to freely speak but asserted that no official has the right to abuse resources.

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SENATORS FLOOD CLERK'S OFFICE WITH BILLS ON FINAL DAY

LINCOLN- On the last day to introduce bills, state legislators are keeping the clerk's office busy with 46 bills being introduced within the first 90 minutes of the session on Monday. The second day of the special legislative session ended with 35 bills being introduced, summing up to 81 total. On Friday, there were six constitutional amendments to be considered, but that number quickly grew to 24 after the weekend.

The Revenue Committee began holding public hearings this Monday, with the first two bills coming from State Senator Carol Blood of Bellevue. Legislative Bill 7 proposed increasing the income tax bracket for high-income earners and LB 8 suggested the addition of a luxury tax to certain items, such as motor vehicles worth over $50,000, jewelry worth more than $5,000, and clothing that costs more than $1,000. The third bill presented to the committee was from State Senator Jana Hughes of Seward and would lower levy caps for school districts. State Senator Justin Wayne of Omaha submitted 23 bills on Monday, including LB 52, which would legalize, regulate, and tax recreational marijuana.

Each bill submitted will be subject to a public hearing, but if a bill isn't heard by 6 P.M., it will be moved to the top of the next day's agenda. During Monday morning's Revenue Committee hearings, State Senator and Chairwoman Lou Ann Linehan gave each speaker a three-minute time limit. Constituents in Lincoln can certainly plan on having busy schedules for the time being.

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DRAFTING ERRORS COULD LEAVE GOV. PILLEN'S PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PLAN UP TO $139 MILLION SHORT

LINCOLN- Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen’s property tax relief proposal, introduced through Legislative Bill 1, aims to generate $1.15 billion in the first fiscal year by imposing a sales tax on over 100 currently tax-exempt goods and services and increasing "sin" taxes on items such as candy, soft drinks, vapes, and cigarettes. However, an analysis by the Nebraska Examiner indicates the proposal may fall short by $139 million due to discrepancies in the proposed tax rates for certain items, such as agricultural and manufacturing machinery. These discrepancies are attributed to bill drafting errors, which have yet to be corrected through amendments.

Specifically, tax rates for four items were introduced lower than initially proposed: agricultural machinery and equipment at 2 cents per dollar instead of 4 cents, manufacturing machinery and equipment at 2 cents instead of 4 cents, and home improvement services like carpentry and electricians at 4 cents instead of 5.5 cents. This significant shortfall primarily complicates Pillen's goal of having the state cover 80% of local K-12 funding through property taxes. Despite these errors, no amendments have been introduced to address these discrepancies, and the spokesperson for Pillen acknowledged the drafting errors but did not provide further details.

LB 1 also proposes ending certain sales tax exemptions previously thought to be off the table, including leases or sales of dark fiber and materials used in ethanol production. The bill is set for a hearing in the Revenue Committee, which is generally more supportive of taxation bills compared to the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. The Revenue Committee, chaired by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, has shown greater support for similar past proposals, with seven out of eight members backing a previous Pillen-supported bill, suggesting a potentially favorable outcome for LB 1 in this committee.

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SENATORS LIKELY TO DEBATE YET-DEVELOPED FRANKENSTEIN PROPERTY TAX PLAN NEXT WEEK

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature could Frankenstein together a property tax reduction package and start debating it by next Thursday, according to key lawmakers.

Six days into a special legislative session Gov. Jim Pillen called to address the state’s “property tax crisis,” Speaker of the Legislature John Arch of La Vista told colleagues to plan on debating the yet-to-be-developed package into the night next Thursday and Friday, as well as during a rare Saturday session. Meanwhile, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, the Revenue Committee chairwoman, expressed confidence that her committee will have a proposal ready on the speaker’s timeline, although it may differ from the governor’s initial plan.

“We’ll be able to come up with something that will provide significant property tax relief for Nebraskans and more funding for schools,” she said, but added: “I don’t know what it will be.”

Sen. Brad von Gillern of Omaha, the Revenue Committee vice chairman, predicted the committee will end up “Frankenstein-ing” a package, taking the best parts from multiple bills and putting them together like the creature created by the fictional Dr. Frankenstein.

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RENTERS WOULD GET SOME RELIEF, TOO, UNDER A PAIR OF LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS

LINCOLN- Under a pair of proposals presented to the Legislature, Nebraskan renters would receive financial relief through an income tax credit. State Senators Terrell McKinney of Omaha and Eliot Bostar of Lincoln each introduced bills seeking to compensate renters who would not otherwise receive any direct benefit from Governor Pillen's tax reform plan. McKinney serves a portion of Omaha where the renters are the majority, and he believes that just because landlords will receive tax breaks does not mean relief will trickle down.

McKinney's Legislative Bill 20 would give refundable credits against income tax to renters of 4% of the total annual rent, or $200, whichever is greater, not to exceed $1,000. Bostar's LB 14 would grant renters a credit of 5% of their lease expenses during the taxable year. Bostar, whose district also represents a large population of renters, voiced that providing relief to renters has been a frequent topic of conversation during the special session, and he wants both renters and property owners to benefit.

McKinney and Bostar are not the only legislators who don't have faith in property owners to pass down the benefits to renters. The topic arose during listening sessions on property taxes in Lincoln and Omaha conducted by legislators. Data shows that Nebraska is comprised of about 66% homeowners and 34% renters.

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EFFORT FAILS TO ABRUPTLY END SPECIAL PROPERTY TAX LEGISLATIVE SESSION

LINCOLN- An effort Friday to end Nebraska's special legislative session failed with only four lawmakers voting to adjourn. The four that voted to adjourn were State Senators Justin Wayne, Terrell McKinney, Machaela Cavanaugh, and John Cavanaugh, all from Omaha. Wayne sent an email to his colleagues before the session commenced in an attempt to get lawmakers to vote to adjourn because of the lack of communication from Governor Pillen's office.

Speaker John Arch of La Vista pleaded with lawmakers before they voted on whether to adjourn, stating that the legislature is the only body that can solve the state's property tax crisis. Wayne wanted at least a week's notice before the session began, but his request was disregarded. Wayne was not present for the first day of the special session.

If the vote were successful, lawmakers would have been sent home until the governor issued another call for a special session at a later date. Arch emphasized the legislators' duty to serve the people, citing that the public is watching.

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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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LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE GOV. PILLEN'S PROPERTY TAX PLAN, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE LEGISLATION IN 2025

LINCOLN- On Thursday, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen officially revealed his long-awaited property tax proposals, which included a major tax credit program instead of reducing school district tax rates. State Senator Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn introduced Legislative Bill 1 on Governor Pillen's behalf as the head of the Revenue Committee. Instead of the previously pitched three-part levy reduction, the bill presented an extensive property tax credit program.

Pillen and his team of lawmakers are staying committed to his goal of cutting property taxes in half. The plan is to reduce school tax rates progressively until the state can absorb the entirety of the local district property taxes, but schools could still collect property taxes through voter-approved bonds or for two building-related funds. Under this bill, the state would adjust current tax relief programs and offer a new credit exclusive to schools instead of placing caps on general fund rates.

Nebraskans will also see tax credits that are proportionate to their property ownership. Opponents of the bill have proposed that the credits will only recycle money back to taxpayers with no substantial cuts or return on investment. Many new ideas were presented during the first day of the special legislative session, and the following bills outline how the state plans to make up for lost property tax revenue with increased sales taxes.

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