LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A property tax package opposed by Nebraska’s largest schools, taxpayer advocates and Gov. Pete Ricketts could be getting another makeover before it goes to the Legislature for debate.
Members of the tax-focused Revenue Committee argued over possible changes on Thursday, one day after a late-night hearing on the bill drew widespread opposition. They left the executive session with no firm solutions but will meet again on Friday.
The bill draws from a combination of property tax bills drafted by Sens. Mike Groene, Lou Ann Linehan, Tom Briese and Curt Friesen. It would pay for property tax reductions by raising Nebraska’s sales tax, eliminating sales tax exemptions and increasing taxes on cigarettes. It also would boost state aid to public K-12 schools.