The Nebraska State Capitol Building on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Lincoln. (Rebecca S. Gratz for Nebraska Examiner)
LINCOLN — Another day and another rocky reception at the State Capitol for proposals to reduce property taxes in Nebraska.
This time it was representatives of local governments that levy property taxes, such as school districts, counties and natural resources districts, who told state lawmakers Wednesday that harder caps on spending and property tax would cause reductions in service, difficulty in hiring or retaining staff and an inability to keep up with the growth in salaries.
“Freezing tax revenue at current levels would be catastrophic for school districts,” said Shane Rhian, chief financial officer for the Omaha Public Schools, who testified against one bill.
Takes away local control
Tyler Newton, a member of the Heartland Community School Board in Henderson, said another bill might have blocked his district from hiring an additional elementary teacher this year to handle an increase in students.