The cost of the Good Life is about to rise

Like it or not, beginning Oct. 1, the cost of living the Good Life in Nebraska is going up.

Because of budget deficits earlier this year, state lawmakers were forced to look at new ways to raise state receipts and cut spending during the regular legislative session in February and during a special session called to address the state's financial problems in late July.

Those taxes include a 30-cent tax increase on cigarettes, a half-cent increase in sales tax and new taxes on several services including security services, magazine subscriptions, pest control, computer software training, building cleaning and maintenance and some constuction labor costs. In addition to sales tax, there will be an increase in the income tax shedule to take effect in January.

Throughout the country, states and municipalities are struggling to make ends meet. It's a sign of a nationwide economic slowdown and everyone is trying to deal with it the best they can.

Most of us are willing to do our part, while hoping that slowdown will turn around in the near future. But should it continue, we hope state lawmakers will look at other ways of cutting spending without adding more tax burdens to hard working Nebraskans.

The cost of living seems to keep rising with no end in sight. Utility bills are on the rise, the drought is sure to bring an increase in food costs and the state's new taxes will only add to the burden already felt by every Nebraska citizen.

We are willing to do our share, but we encourage the Nebraska State Legislatue to do their part in making the Good Life affordable for every Nebraska citizen.