Tax reform and expanding rural broadband are top priorities for Nebraska Farm Bureau in the 2022 Nebraska Unicameral which starts January 5. President Mark McHargue says they continue to fight for equity on the amount of property tax that is accessed in the state compared to other tax sources.

He says Nebraska property taxpayers will receive $548 million of tax relief this year from the Property Tax Incentive Act established in 2020. However, McHargue says it doesn’t go far enough and the key now is for legislators to put a floor under those tax savings.

Another goal for farm bureau is to significantly expand rural broadband and he says agriculture and rural Nebraska will not reach its full potential without access to reliable, high-speed service.

McHargue says much of the technology that allows farmers and ranchers to improve across the board, including minimizing agriculture’s environmental footprint, relies on e-connectivity.