The short session has ended, but the work is not over

On Thursday, April 18th, we hit day sixty of the Second Session of the 108th Legislature bringing the short session to the end. We passed some great legislation including protecting our farmland from potential foreign adversaries like China, strengthening of school security, investments in high-demand college programs, protections of religious freedom, and my personal priority bill, protections for minors from online pornography. I am happy to say Nebraska is now the fifteenth state to stand up to the big pornography industry and protect our kids.

Unfortunately, the plan to pass major property tax relief stalled by a few votes. The original plan involved an increase in sales taxes (which involved provisions to pause that increase if revenues were high) to try to balance out our three-legged stool of tax revenue: income, sales, and property tax. Currently, Nebraskans know that stool is far out of balance with property taxes hitting harder and harder every year with each valuation. Despite the opposition this plan faced, I remain committed to fighting to rein down property taxes.

It is expected that soon the Governor will call for a special session of the Legislature with the sole goal to cut property taxes. In years past, we have passed property tax relief, but the harsh truth is that as valuations skyrocket without a corresponding reduction of levies, the relief only acts as a small decrease in the total increase. My hope and goal for the likely upcoming session is not basic relief but comprehensive property tax reform. I believe part of the solution is taking a hard look at the laundry list of special tax exemptions Nebraska currently has. When government creates long lists of tax exemptions for certain products and services, they are in effect creating an economy of winners and losers- not a fair system where everyone plays by the same rules.

It is hard to say what the outcome of the special session will be. Our recent session is proof that achieving a filibuster-proof majority to agree on any comprehensive change is going to be difficult. Regardless of the outcome, I am ready to work to deliver meaningful property tax relief to you, the Nebraska taxpayer.