Committee hearings on bills introduced in the current session were set to wrap up Friday afternoon as the Nebraska Legislature prepares to move into all-day debate next week.
On Tuesday, the Education Committee considered LB 177, a bill that would allow parents to direct state funds toward a student’s private school education. Under the bill, the state would set up a fund covering 55% of the cost to educate all of Nebraska’s K-12 students. Parents would then apply for their child’s share of the fund, which could go toward either public or private schools.
The final week of hearings before the Appropriations Committee included three bills that could increase access to services for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.
With estimates that 1 in 10 Nebraskans faces food insecurity, LB 763 would enable grants to the state’s largest food distribution programs during a declared emergency. Two other bills, LB 362 and LB 601, would increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for behavioral health care providers and those providing developmental disability assistance.
The Revenue Committee wrapped up hearings on a number of bills this week.
On Wednesday, the committee considered a bill, LB 239, that proposes to shift individual income tax brackets. Another bill, LB 747, would extend property tax credits in place for homeowners to those paying rent. The median rent payment for Nebraskans in March is $1,295, a 42% increase from rent paid from 2017 to 2021.
Cities, counties, school districts and other political subdivisions would face funding challenges under a bill heard Thursday. LB 695 would exempt the first $25,000 of a property’s valuation for Nebraska residents or businesses paying property taxes.
Property tax proposal emerges from Revenue Committee
A package of property tax proposals advanced from the Revenue Committee on Thursday with supporters aiming to match the dollars pledged in income tax cuts this session.
The property tax package, included as part of LB 243, would add money for tax credits applied directly on statements, transfer responsibility for paying what community colleges levy in property taxes to the state budget and restrict revenue growth for K-12 school districts.
The property tax proposal, pitched alongside the package of tax cuts that would largely benefit the wealthy and out-of-state corporations, comes with a significant cost that could put essential services at risk the next time that the state faces an economic downturn.
Learn more about the income tax cuts proposed in LB 754 at OpenSky’s website.
Legislature enters full-day debate
Over recent weeks, an across-the-board filibuster linked to LB 574 has slowed floor action on other bills. LB 574, which would ban gender-affirming care for trans youth, advanced on Thursday. Opponents of LB 574 have indicated that they will continue the filibuster.
After a recess day on Monday, the Legislature will return on Tuesday for the first full day of debate. Day 51, which will mark the first of many anticipated late nights, will begin with senators considering a motion to suspend the rules governing debate going forward.