LINCOLN — With debate over a property tax bill roaring through the Nebraska Legislature, the issue stands to be at the forefront of discussion at the end of the session.
The measure, championed by Governor Ricketts, would give farmers and ranchers a larger credit to offset local property tax burden.
The amount available for commercial and residential property would remain the same and there would also be budget restrictions on community colleges, which rely partially on property taxes.
Even though the bill moved out of the revenue committee on a unanimous vote, 43rd District Senator Al Davis expects some pushback.
“It has the potential of developing into a rural/urban split, but if we’re going to deal with the property tax problem we need to do it,” he explains. ” I think you need to say to the urban people ‘You have to understand, this is a serious problem in respect to the profitability of farmers and ranchers and we have to do something’.”
Among those against the bill are the State, Lincoln and Omaha Chambers of Commerce.
Earlier this week, a different bill that would have given an exemption to Nebraska farm homes stalled in the unicameral after criticism that it only benefits rural residents.
