The top state legislative priority for the Center for Rural Affairs is to get the Unicameral to approve a reduction of property taxes. CFRA Policy Program Director Johnathan Hladik says the new leaders in the Nebraska Legislature, led by incoming Speaker Jim Scheer of Norfolk, seem committed to addressing the problem.

He thinks while the new Speaker will focus on tax reform it may take committee action to bring forward a good property tax reduction measure.

One tax idea brought forward early this session is an increase in the state sales tax to help offset the amount required by property taxes. Hladik isn’t sure that’s the best way forward for tax reform.

Hladik says while they’re looking for a better tax solution, they don’t want to take anything off the table yet.