OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (12/15/23)
2% In a future of fewer births and more deaths across an aging population, immigration will play a major role in whether the United States grows or declines over future years. [...]
Kearney Hub on Dec. 14: CAPITOL VIEW: How long will Nebraska education fund last?
Several tax watchdog groups say the Legislature, at the behest of the governor, has gone overboard in depleting state revenue by earmarking too much for property tax relief. But Gov. Jim Pillen [...]
Bellevue West Thunderbeat on Dec. 14: Changes to state law affect public education benefits
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen approved LB243, or the School District Property Tax Limitation Act, on May 31st, 2023. It is effective for the upcoming school year. Nebraska has historically struggled to fund [...]
Omaha World-Herald on Dec. 7: Public Pulse: Consumption tax concerns
It’s difficult to predict impact of such a drastic change. The revenue-neutral rate estimate by Beacon Hill Institute is 7.23%, and Legislative Bill 79 says 7.5%. But OpenSky Policy Institute estimates 22.1%, [...]
KETV on Dec. 5: Nebraska’s property tax to fund schools increases $85 million despite historic increases in state aid
Gov. Jim Pillen called the first year for property tax relief from his historic tax cut package "unacceptable" and said it's "not where he expected it to be." The state increased spending [...]
Nebraska Examiner on Dec. 5: First organizations are certified to provide private scholarships to Nebraska K-12 students
The Nebraska Department of Revenue on Tuesday publicized a list of the first organizations certified to provide scholarships for K-12 students to attend private schools beginning Jan. 1. The list of certified scholarship [...]
Nebraska Examiner on Dec. 4: New report says state’s ‘tax-cutting spree’ endangers health care, education
Nebraska’s latest “tax-cutting spree” will result in the some of the deepest reductions in revenue in the nation, threatening state services, according to a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. The report from the Center [...]
WOWT-TV on Dec. 4: ‘Not where we wanted to be’: Pillen updates Nebraska school districts’ implementation of property tax plan
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen had high praise Monday for public school districts that have provided property tax relief, but noted that the participation rate fell below his administration’s hope for the new [...]
Nebraska Examiner on Dec. 4: Governor expresses disappointment that most school districts overrode spending cap
Gov. Jim Pillen expressed disappointment Monday that despite an influx of $324 million in additional state aid to K-12 schools, property taxes for local education statewide still increased by $85 million. “It’s [...]
Nebraska ranks among steepest revenue-slashing states
Revenue reductions enacted by Nebraska lawmakers in recent years rank among the deepest cuts in the nation, shifting billions in public funds away from key investments and toward tax cuts. Personal and [...]