State Sen. Dave Murman provides legislative update

McCOOK, Neb. — State Sen. Dave Murman updated residents Thursday on legislative activities in a call to the Chamber of Commerce. He emphasized the ongoing rules debate in the Legislature, highlighting discussions on proposed amendments and rules.

Sen. Murman also shared information about the legislative process, mentioning that the deadline for proposing new legislation had passed. He noted that he had dropped a significant number of bills, including a proposal by Sen. Hanson to limit the number of bill proposals by senators.

One of the key points of discussion was the governor's proposal to cut property taxes by 40%. Sen. Murman expressed support for this initiative, acknowledging the burden of high property taxes on Nebraskans. He mentioned the possibility of a tax shift, with a potential increase in sales tax to offset the reduction in property taxes.

The senator, who is also a member of the Revenue Committee, discussed the elimination of certain sales tax exemptions. He provided examples such as including sales tax on zoo admissions and eliminating exemptions for dry cleaning of clothes.

During the Q&A session, a participant raised concerns about senators not explaining their votes at the mic. Sen. Murman addressed this by explaining that some discussions were technical, and senators often had predetermined positions on rule changes. He acknowledged the challenges of balancing legislative responsibilities and participating in debates.

A community member expressed concerns about discussions on eliminating the unicameral system. Sen. Murman affirmed his support for the unicameral system while acknowledging the need for improvements. He emphasized the importance of hearing from both majority and minority perspectives in the legislative process.

Overall, Sen. Dave Murman's chat with the McCook Chamber of Commerce provided insight into ongoing legislative activities, tax reform proposals, and his stance on the unicameral system in Nebraska.

Murman’s next Legislative Update will be 8:15 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, in the Keystone Business Center.