Another legislative session is in the books
The Legislature wrapped up its 60-day session last week, but Senators are likely to be back in Lincoln for a special session later this year focused on property taxes paid to fund local government services. Here’s a look back, and perhaps a look ahead, at some important aspects of the state’s fiscal debate. No agreement […]
Nebraska Examiner on April 18: Stunning last-minute defeat for Pillen tax shift bill likely ensures special session
Gov. Jim Pillen’s much-amended plan to raise sales taxes to decrease local property taxes went down in flames Thursday, the final day of the 2024 state legislative session. It was a stunning defeat for the idea of raising some taxes to reduce others, and it almost assuredly guarantees that state lawmakers will be back this […]
Lincoln Journal Star on April 18: Nebraska Gov. Pillen will call special session after lawmakers kill property tax package
After praising Nebraska lawmakers for their accomplishments during this year’s legislative session, Gov. Jim Pillen repeatedly derided the Legislature’s “failure to act” on property tax relief and pledged to call “as many sessions as it takes” for lawmakers to deliver reduced property taxes this year. Read more from Lincoln Journal Star
Modeling details how amended tax package would impact Nebraskans
Most Nebraskans who claim the state income tax credit on property taxes paid to public schools will see little change in what they pay resulting from the tax package to be debated today, the final day of the Legislative session. But for Nebraska’s lowest-income earners – households making less than $30,000 annually – the impact […]
News Channel Nebraska on April 16: Open Sky on property taxes pay-for: Expand the sales tax base and cut the sales tax rate
The Nebraska Legislature calls it quits Thursday, leaving behind several questions. First and foremost, any further property tax cuts before the end of the year and if so how to pay for them. One idea now floating inside the Capitol would find more and more sales tax exemptions eliminated, along with a cut to the […]
Fair taxes are key to thriving communities
Today is Tax Day, the day when your income taxes are due. But today is also a reminder that those taxes pay for so many of the things that make our communities strong, from Chadron to Falls City and everywhere in between. From safe streets to quality schools and efforts to keep health care affordable, […]
Omaha World Herald on April 14: Scaled-back property tax plan prompts special session speculation in Nebraska
Gov. Jim Pillen vowed to keep Nebraska lawmakers in Lincoln if they failed to cut property taxes 40% by the end of their regular session. “We are going to get to 40% if we have to have a session every day until Christmas,” he told Lincoln business leaders in February. Read more from Omaha World […]
OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (4/12/24)
$363 million Assuming all remaining bills are passed on final reading and no vetoes, the state is projected to end FY 25 with $363 million in general funds above the state’s minimum reserve. Yet there are warning signs ahead on navigating the state budget. Rather than invest surplus funds in state priorities, policymakers elected to […]
KGFW-AM on April 11: OpenSky statement on changes to tax package
Below are statements from OpenSky Policy Institute Executive Director Dr. Rebecca Firestone regarding LB 388, the tax package advanced on Wednesday evening to final-round consideration. On state tax policy “We have choices when it comes to our state’s tax code, and we can ensure everyone pays their fair share and that we have the revenue […]
Nebraska Examiner on April 10: Nebraska property tax relief plan is pared back more, advances to final reading
Nebraska lawmakers further slimmed down a property tax relief plan sought by Gov. Jim Pillen before advancing it to final reading Wednesday evening. The 28-14 passage of Legislative Bill 388 came after a long debate over the idea of raising some taxes to reduce others, namely property taxes, and whether a portion of the bill was unconstitutional. […]
Three things to know about amended tax package
An amendment to LB 388 (AM 3419) is scheduled to be debated on select file on Wednesday, Day 58 of the 60-day session. Here’s a few things to know about the evolving tax package. No sales tax rate increase. The latest amendment does not include a change in the state sales tax rate. As originally […]
Lincoln Journal Star on April 9: Nebraska Legislature backs bill to provide private school scholarship funding
The Legislature gave first-round approval to a proposal funneling $10 million in state tax dollars toward private school scholarships on Tuesday, the final day bills could advance from the first round of debate this session. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, who has championed school choice efforts in Nebraska, was able to secure 33 votes […]
