LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts unveiled a new tax package Wednesday that would boost credits for Nebraska residents who own homes and farmland, lower the state’s top income tax rates and expand job-training programs.

The Republican governor outlined a proposal in his State of the State address that would focus more property tax benefits on in-state residents by excluding out-of-state landowners who don’t file income tax returns but still receive property tax credits.

The new initiative follows complaints from farm and ranching groups that their property tax bills have soared.

“We must help our farmers and ranchers with crushing property tax bills,” Ricketts said in his annual address. “We must help all Nebraskans keep more of their hard-earned money and attract more people to come to our state.”

The plan presented to lawmakers, the Property Tax Cuts and Opportunity Act, would use money from the state’s current property tax credit program. The current credit is applied directly to property tax bills, resulting in millions of dollars in benefits each year to landowners who don’t live in the state.

Ricketts’ proposal would shift the money into a refundable income tax credit, ensuring that only property owners who file a Nebraska income tax return can qualify. The new credit would only apply to residents who own homes or agricultural land. Renters and commercial property owners would see no direct benefit from the credit.

The property tax plan would also cap residential tax credits at $230, regardless of a property’s value. The maximum would rise after years when revenue exceeds projections. Ricketts said the limit was designed to benefit “the average Nebraska homeowner,” rather than owners of more expensive houses. Agricultural landowners would see a roughly 14 percent boost in the tax credit they receive, while residential property owners would get a 6 percent increase.

The second piece of the plan would use existing tax credits to lower Nebraska’s top personal and corporate income tax rates to 6.69 percent by Jan. 1, 2020. The current top personal rate is 6.84 percent and the top corporate rate is 7.81 percent.

“Cutting and reforming taxes is key to growing Nebraska,” Ricketts said. “Over the years, together, we have done the hard work needed to hold the line on taxes, but Nebraskans need and expect more.”

Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion, who introduced the proposal on the governor’s behalf, said the plan is designed to make the state more attractive to businesses while also responding to farm and rancher concerns. Smith said the new bill seeks to address concerns from last year’s tax package, which stalled in part because farm groups argued that it didn’t do enough for them.

“It makes better use of the dollars that were allocated for the property tax credit relief fund, because it’ll go toward resident taxpayers,” Smith said. “It makes those dollars stretch farther.”

The third piece of the plan calls for an additional $10 million for job-training programs over two years. Ricketts said the funding was important to help the state economy.

The plan is likely to face resistance. Sen. Adam Morfeld of Lincoln disputed the governor’s argument that lower taxes would help attract more residents to the state.

“We need LGBT protections, lower tuition, higher paying jobs and forward thinking policies and investments,” said Morfeld, whose district includes a large number of University of Nebraska-Lincoln students.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts says his proposed budget to lawmakers will prioritize K-12 public education, the state corrections department and services for people with developmental disabilities.

Ricketts says the budget he will present to lawmakers on Wednesday would leave the state’s K-12 funding formula unchanged. It also would increase the number of corrections officers to address staffing shortages and use $5.8 million in unspent money to pay for 100 new prison beds to ease overcrowding.

Ricketts says his expected budget cuts won’t affect services for people with developmental disabilities.

Lawmakers face a projected $173 million revenue state revenue shortfall in the current two-year budget cycle, which is expected to rise to $200 million due to a reduction in federal funding.

The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) is urging motorists to be prepared for the potential of hazardous conditions with an expected winter storm this week. The storm could make driving difficult in various parts of the state.

“The storm forecasted for this week could make for dangerous driving conditions across a large portion of the state,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Drivers should be prepared by staying up-to-date on the forecast and plan ahead if you need to travel.”

Travelers are urged to stay up-to-date on travel conditions with information available through Nebraska 511, Nebraska’s Advanced Traveler Information System. The system is available at all times via phone by dialing 511, online at www.511.nebraska.gov, or Nebraska 511’s smartphone app.

NSP also issues the following reminders for motorists traveling in extreme weather conditions:

• Always wear your seat belt and never drive faster than conditions allow.
• Blowing and drifting snow can reduce visibility. Travel only when absolutely necessary.
• If you must travel, use well-traveled routes and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Let others know where you are going, your route, and when you will arrive.
• If you do become stranded while traveling, stay in your vehicle until help arrives. Wind chill and freezing temperatures can be life-threatening.
• If your vehicle becomes stuck, run your motor sparingly and keep a window cracked to prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide.
• Carry a red flag or bandana in your car and attach it to the outside to signal for help.

Be sure to keep a winter weather survival kit in your vehicle as you travel. Some basic items to include are: First Aid Kit, phone charger, ice scraper, shovel, small bag of sand, flashlight with extra batteries, blankets or sleeping bags, extra clothing and winter accessories, jumper cables, tow rope, tool kit, matches, candles, red flag or bandana, high energy or dehydrated foods, and bottled water.

The NSP Highway Helpline is available 24 hours per day for motorists in need of assistance. Drivers can reach NSP by dialing *55 from any cell phone. Call 911 for any emergency.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have advanced a bill that would give former prisoners and jail inmates the chance to have a judge set aside their conviction once they’ve served their time.

The measure won first-round approval Tuesday with a 37-1 vote.

Nebraska already allows people who have spent time on probation to petition a judge to set aside their sentences.

The bill by Sen. John McCollister of Omaha would expand eligibility to include those who served time in prison or jail. It would not apply to people with pending criminal charges, sex offenders, those with traffic misdemeanors or felonies or those who have applied within the last two years.

McCollister says giving people the chance to set aside their convictions would help them move beyond their criminal pasts.