Property taxes the main focus of Scottsbluff, North Platte, Norfolk tax hearings

Property taxes thoroughly dominated the discussion at the first three public hearings of the Tax Modernization Committee.
At the hearings, which were held this week in Scottsbluff, North Platte and Norfolk, several testifiers called on the state to use sales tax revenue from taxing more services to boost aid to local governments, including K-12 school districts. This would lower property taxes and help make education more equitable. We recommended the state to do this in our recent analysis of the tax change options that are being discussed at the hearings and it also was the focus ofthis op-ed in the Lincoln Journal Star.

Among those who called for increased state aid to local governments was Dr. Caroline Winchester, superintendent of Chadron Public Schools. Reductions in state aid to her district have led to school closings, loss of programs and higher property taxes, Dr. Winchester said.

In North Platte, testifier Sherri Hansen told the committee that the state should institute a targeted property tax assistance program that benefits low- and middle-income Nebraskans.

That sentiment was echoed by Anselmo farmer David Hansen, who noted that the state could enact a circuit breaker that would keep people’s property tax bills manageable when their income is down. We also discuss property tax circuit breakers in our recent analysis.

In Norfolk, Jon Bailey of the Center for Rural Affairs said circuit breakers should apply to residential homeowners, agricultural land owners and renters.

Another way to increase local revenue and offset property taxes may be to enact local income taxes, said retired attorney Duane Schroeder of Wayne.

For more about the hearings, you can read the following articles:

The Tax Modernization Committee will hold its final two public hearings on:

  • Wednesday, Oct. 16 in Omaha at the Metropolitan Community College South Omaha Campus; and
  • Thursday, Oct. 17 in Lincoln at the State Capitol.