Last week Five Nebraska Agricultural groups testified in the State Revenue committee against a measure that would have taxed irrigation water. The legislation was introduced by Senator Paul Schumacher of Columbus to create a one cent tax on every 10 gallons of water pumped from an irrigation well capable of producing at least 5,000 gallons of water per day. Nebraska Corn Grower’s President Dan Wesely says all the ag groups think that’s a terrible idea.

LB 1022 would direct the new tax monies to fund schools. The Revenue Committee took no action following the hearing. Wesely says taxing the use of irrigation water would hurt farmers and all Nebraskans and is not good tax policy.

Ag groups joining Corn Growers in opposing the legislation include Farm Bureau, The Cattlemen and Pork Producers Association as well as the Nebraska Dairy Association.