February 10, 2025
Property

Nebraskans slam Pillen’s property tax plan at forum


LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – More than 300 Nebraskans crowded into a room Monday night to voice their opinions just a few days before a special legislative session on property taxes.

The Wick Alumni Center in Lincoln was full as state senators listened to their constituents discuss concerns about Gov. Jim Pillen’s plan to cut property taxes.

Paul Shada of Plymouth said he agrees that state property taxes need to be addressed.

But he said Pillen has “no plan and no real direction other than to throw the whole issue onto the Unicameral.”

It’s crunch time before the senators gather for the special session, which starts Thursday.

SEE MORE: ‘We have the people’s work to do’: Pillen announces special session on property taxes

The governor’s plan to slash property taxes is focused on shifting public school funding from local taxpayers to the state.

But Ross Larson of Wahoo said that idea could create future problems.

“I’m worried about the stability of funding for public education,” Larson said. “If we take away the stable funding source of property taxes and give it to the state, given a recession, revenue will go down for the state. Will funding for the schools go down?”

To pay for the new education expenses, Pillen plans to eliminate more than 100 sales tax exemptions.

He said that will provide nearly $100 million.

SEE MORE: Pillen proposes removing 100-plus exemptions, raising ‘sin taxes’ to cut property taxes

The governor is promising not to tax the sale of food, medicine, farming equipment and more.

But those at the forum said the sales tax changes will hurt those who can least afford it.

“Now, they want to shift property tax onto sales tax, which affects the lower earners the most, and I think that’s a problem,” John Markey said.

Markey isn’t alone in his opinion.

“I think property taxes are too high, but I think in general, it’s a really bad idea to lower taxes on richer people and pile them on poorer people,” Larson said.

Nebraskans told the senators personal stories of how they have been affected by rising property taxes, with some saying they will have to leave the state if things don’t change.

SEE MORE: ‘It’s just ridiculous’: Lincoln homeowners react to property valuations

But most people were in agreement that a few weeks will not be enough for the Legislature to come up with a solid plan.

“A year probably would not be enough time to really be fair to everyone,” Shada said.

That was a popular talking point, with many people pointing out that this property tax problem has been building for years.

“Two weeks to redo an entire tax code; that’s impossible,” Larson said.

Some were also frustrated that Pillen wasn’t in attendance to hear the public’s thoughts on his plan.

“I’m really glad to see these state senators get together because the governor himself would not come to Lincoln to hear us,” Markey said.





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