Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has finally issued an official call for a much-discussed and anticipated special session on property tax relief to begin Thursday at 10 a.m. Central time.
Wording in the proclamation required by the Nebraska Constitution provides some additional information on how Pillen intends to reduce property taxes through new and broadened sales taxes and other revenues.
Increased revenue will be sought through modification of the taxes on cigarettes, vaping products, spirit alcohol, Keno and game of skill devices, as well as new sales or use taxes on services and items not currently taxed, and elimination of certain sales tax exemptions.
Pillen also seeks to amend state statute to allow for the redistribution of local option sales taxes, however, details on any proposed changes were not immediately clear.
The document also points to the establishment of yet another property tax relief plan which may include modification of state aid to schools, or establishing tax credits, and reduction of property tax revenue collected for schools, as well as imposition of caps limiting city and county governments property tax revenues.
Although it had been previously widely announced that lawmakers should plan on starting the session July 25, Pillen’s issuance of the proclamation Wednesday afternoon officially gave lawmakers less than 24 hours to convene in Lincoln.
