Nebraska Farmers Union members addressed the need for property tax reform and a solid farm bill to ease the depressed farm economy at their recent convention. President John Hansen says current farm programs aren’t keeping up with four years of low commodity prices.

He says elected leaders at both the national and state levels have failed to provide assistance to farmers and ranchers suffering from the worst downturn they’ve seen in many years.

Hansen also says the state needs to find a better source for funding of Nebraska schools to provide significant property tax relief.

Hansen says both the Governor and Revenue Committee chairman are responding to pressure on property tax relief. However, he says they’re a long way from any meaningful or sustainable reform.

At the convention Hansen was also re-elected for the 15th time to a two-year term as president of the group.