LINCOLN — The following is a statement by OpenSky Policy Institute Executive Director Renee Fry about the tax ideas discussed by the governor in his State of the State address on Thursday:
“We applaud the governor for working to increase broadband access across the state. This is a powerful step that will help the state grow its economy and also reduce racial and ethnic inequities as well as geographic disparities.
“We are concerned that the governor seems to be blaming schools and other local governments for high property taxes. Nebraska ranks low in its level of state support for schools and other local governments, which contributes to us being highly reliant on property taxes. Instead of further squeezing Nebraska’s schools and other local governments, we would encourage the Legislature to look at alternative sources of funding so we can maintain the essential services that these entities provide.”
Contact Chuck Brown at 402-610-1522 or cbrown@openskypolicy.org for more information.