A half dozen Nebraska farm groups are supporting LB 289, a property tax relief and school funding measure that passed out of the Revenue Committee. Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson says it could provide an estimated $500 million in property tax relief and also help break the cycle of over reliance on property taxes for funding K-12 education.

Nebraska Soybean Association President Robert Johnston says LB 289 would provides more equal state funding for all schools.

Nebraska Corn Growers Association President Dan Nerud says the legislation provides a more balanced tax stool than the present one.

Nebraska Pork Producers Association President Tim Chancellor who also serves on his local school board disagrees with Governor Pete Ricketts, who calls the measure the state’s largest tax increase.

LB 289 increases the state’s sales tax rate, increases cigarette taxes, eliminates numerous service-based sales tax exemptions and also eliminates the state’s personal property tax exemption among other items.

Ag groups backing the bill include: The Nebraska: Farm Bureau, Corn Growers, Soybean Growers, Pork Producers, Wheat Growers and State Dairy Association.
After three hours of debate (Tuesday), there was no vote taken and no schedule on when the bill would come back for further debate.