By Senator Tom Brewer
Last Friday, the Legislature’s Executive Board, while functioning in its role as the Legislature’s referencing committee, a motion was made and seconded.
This motion referenced LB 1 (the governors property tax reduction bill brought on his behalf by Sen. Linehan) to the Government, Military and Veteran Affairs Committee.
We can only speculate why these senators would want to send this bill to a committee so obviously without the jurisdiction to hear it. The briefest freshman reading of the referencing guide clearly shows the bill belongs before the Revenue Committee. I have sent a letter to the Executive Board asking they re-reference the bill to the Revenue Committee where it so obviously belongs.
Senators, especially those who are leaving after this special session is over, have a solemn 157 year old duty in my view. They have been in the body the longest. These senators know by bitter experience that now is not the time for members of the executive board to use property tax relief for struggling Nebraskans, as an excuse to settle old political scores. It’s petty, and vain, and what’s more, it’s obvious. It is the sort of character flaw that imperils the future ambitions of politicians wretched enough to sink to its use. It tells the voters you will put yourself before them.
Western Nebraska is being depopulated by high property taxes. The most profitable aspect of our number one industry (beef cattle ranching) is reaching the point where it is almost impossible for a family to sustain themselves in this vocation. It has been a problem that has destroyed generations of a distinct Nebraska culture and a unique Nebraska way of life. I’ve watched this sad pattern play out across Western Nebraska for my entire life.
First, the school dies. Then the grocery store closes. Then the cafe closes. Then the bar closes. Then the post office closes. Then the speed limit changes because all the reasons to stop in the little town are gone.
I have very little patience for senators who want to play politics with this issue. The dozen senators whose districts represent over 80% of the landmass of greater Nebraska are really counting on our Lincoln and Omaha colleagues to lead with fairness and dispatch because our part of Nebraska is being killed by property taxes. I really hope Senators can move forward with this Special Session in good faith. No matter where you stand on the issue, this body needs to get the Governor’s bill out of committee and on the agenda for debate without any further delay.
Please contact my office with any comments, questions, or concerns. Email me at tbrewer@leg.ne.gov, mail a letter to Sen. Tom Brewer, Room #1423, P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509, or call us at (402) 471-2628.