Ahead of this week’s special session aimed at addressing Nebraska’s escalating property taxes, Governor Jim Pillen issued a statement as to how he will approach the debate on reforming Nebraska’s imbalanced sales tax exemptions.
“This legislative process depends on everyone bringing their good faith ideas for the purpose of producing property tax reform for all Nebraskans,” said Gov. Pillen. “It is important that we start from a common place of understanding, especially in the debate over sales tax exemptions.”
Gov. Pillen’s proposed exemptions include no sales tax on food, medicines used for human treatment, services or goods provided through nonprofits, ag inputs or manufacturing materials, services or items that are exempt in all other states, services or items that are exempt in all surrounding states and no double taxation
Opponents of the plan say that it shifts tax burdens from wealthy taxpayers and land owners to middle-class and working Nebraskans.
Nebraska state senator Julie Slama said she agrees there needs to be a fix but described Pillen’s news conference as “all fluff and no substance” with no concrete examples of how Nebraskans would benefit.
An online tool released with the plan allows people to type in any address and see how that property would benefit under the plan.