News

Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska Consider Lawsuit Against State on Property Taxes

Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska Consider Lawsuit Against State on Property Taxes

Photo: WNAX


The Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska is considering a class action lawsuit against the state of Nebraska on property tax reform. Omaha attorney Dave Domina is leading the legal effort after successfully arguing the 1992 case of Jaksha vs. the State of Nebraska, where the state Supreme Court declared part of the property tax law unconstitutional. He says the current case is based on a flaw in the state constitution which mandates the state provide education, but does not dictate property taxes as the funding source.

Domina says in the 1992 case the unicameral was forced to pass legislation to fix the unconstitutionality of the property tax law. However, he says it was just a band aid and needs to be addressed. So far, state lawmakers have been unable to agree on a remedy, so he says legal action may be necessary

Past State Senator Al Davis is also helping to lead the property tax reform effort because he says Nebraska has the highest property taxes in the country.

Davis, co-founder of the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska, says bills have been written to reform property taxes, but over the last year lawmakers have been unable to make any progress with them.

Domina will be speaking on the subject at the ICON Annual Meeting Saturday in Valentine.

Recent Headlines

3 days ago in Local

District 18 Cracker Barrel Held in Yankton on Saturday

Representative Mike Stevens was the only legislator from District 18 to appear at the legislative cracker barrel held Saturday in…

2 weeks ago in Local

SOUTH DAKOTA FLU PREVENTION, STATE EPIDEMIOLOGIST OFFERS INSIGHT

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – With the colder weather and more time indoors, families are sharing their love…

2 weeks ago in Local

BILL RESTRICTS FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF ELECTRIC FACILITIES IN SOUTH DAKOTA

PIERRE, S.D. (Michael Doorn / KELO News) – The House and Energy Committee passed two bills unanimously on Friday, one…

2 weeks ago in Local

STATE NEEDS TO SPEND $106 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS BY END OF YEAR

PIERRE, S.D. (Makenzie Huber / South Dakota Searchlight) – South Dakota must spend $106 million in remaining pandemic relief by the…

2 weeks ago in Local

AS STUDENT VIOLENCE RISES, STATE WANTS DISTRICTS TO HAVE OPTIONS

PIERRE, S.D. (Bart Pfankuch / South Dakota News Watch) – Whether caused by the pervasiveness of social media, an increase…