The formation of a group formally opposing the EPIC tax drew quick criticism from one of the proposal’s strongest supporters.
On the legislative floor Thursday, Sen. Steve Erdman said No New Taxes Nebraska has had a total disregard for Nebraskans who pay taxes, and that backers of the ballot initiative have made tremendous progress in explaining the proposal to the public. “There was a poll done about three weeks ago that showed 54% of those polled thought EPIC Option was the right thing to do. 30% of those people strongly were in support. 28% were strongly opposed. So we’re making great progress,” said Erdman. “And by the fact that they are throwing this much money at it and they’re not organized against it tells me we are on the right track.”
The Bayard lawmaker continued that given their stance on EPIC, members of No New Taxes Nebraska should also be opposed to the governor’s plan increase property tax relief by raising the state sales tax one percent and expand it to more goods and services.
“That organization out there in the rotunda is one that’s representing those who collect and spend the tax dollars. And epic option is one that represents the taxpayer. So if you’re listening today at home and you understand what I’ve just said, under the current system, we continue to pick winners and losers. And anything that’s coming forward out of this legislature this year will be a reduction, a decrease in the increase,” Erdman said.
The current petition drive faces a July deadline to collect signatures from 10 percent of registered voters, plus five percent from 38 of 93 counties, for the proposed Constitutional amendment to appear on the November ballot.
