A Nebraska homeowner couldn’t pay $600 in property taxes, and lost $60,000 in home equity
The Pacific Legal Foundation has asked the Supreme Court to hear a case questioning the constitutionality of a Nebraska law that allows counties to sell property tax liens to private entities, who can then take the property, and any equity that the owners have in excess of the tax obligation they owed. This process is known...
Nebraska’s K-12 Finance System Lacks Transparency and Is Too Dependent on Property Taxes
For decades, Nebraska’s public school funding system has exerted major influence over the state’s tax policy. In 1989, the state adopted the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Act (TEEOSA), in an attempt to alleviate disparities in property tax burdens and education funding between districts by having the state take on a larger responsibility in funding...
What you need to know about Truth in Taxation in Nebraska: Part 1
Truth in Taxation was passed by the Nebraska Legislature in 2021 and will be implemented for the first time in September 2022. This is the first blog in a two-part series. In this post I will introduce you to why Nebraska needs Truth in Taxation and what you can expect from the process. In the...
Mark your calendar for Nebraska property tax hearings
In September, every taxpayer who has at least one taxing entity on their bill participating in a Truth in Taxation hearing will receive a mailed postcard with public hearing information. Legally, all hearings must be held after 6 p.m. between September 17 and 28, and postcards must be in the mail 7 days before a...
Make Nebraska property taxes honest with Truth in Taxation
Want a say in how your property taxes are decided? Participate in a Truth in Taxation hearing.
Every year in September, Nebraska's Truth in Taxation law requires cities, counties, school districts, and community college districts to directly notify taxpayers about proposed major property tax increases and hold public hearings where taxpayers can express their views about property taxes in their community.
Tune into the latest episode of Nebraskanomics, How Nebraskans Can Control Property Taxes with Truth in Taxation, to learn:
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:38 Why Nebraska created a Truth in Taxation law.
05:55 What the Truth in Taxation process will involve every September.
11:05 How Nebraskans can use Truth in Taxation to keep property taxes in check.
Stay tuned until the end, when I'll share how you can receive free Truth in Taxation resources, which will help you stand up for taxpayers in your area.
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If you want more economic freedom in Nebraska, please visit PlatteInstitute.org to make a donation to help fund our research and advocacy.
❌It’s time to stop the status quo.
Let’s remove economic barriers and make Nebraskans proud.
Closing Nebraska’s property tax honesty gap with Truth in Taxation
Republished from Nebraska Examiner Recent reports that Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert’s proposed 2023 budget contains no tax increase is a prime example of an honesty gap in how Nebraska leaders discuss local property taxes. In fact, the proposal would increase property tax revenues more than 6%. Even I should accept some blame for the honesty...
Nebraska’s economy achieved an important milestone in July, adding enough jobs to match its pre-pandemic jobs count from February 2020. The state’s economy now has 1,033,200 non-farm payroll jobs and the nation’s second-lowest unemployment rate at 2.0%. The national economy also recovered to its pre-recession jobs level in July, marking an important step in national...
Nebraska’s Property Tax Request Act and Truth in Taxation
Nebraska’s 2021 Property Tax Request Act added Nebraska to the list of states with a comprehensive Truth in Taxation property tax law. Four types of local taxing jurisdictions–counties, cities, school districts, and community colleges–will comply with the provisions of the new law every September, creating an opportunity for the public to be fully informed about...
Preparing for Truth in Taxation, Nebraska’s Property Tax Transparency Law
Jim Vokal and Laura Ebke discuss how you can help keep Nebraska property taxes in check and learn more about Nebraska’s new Truth in Taxation law at PlatteInstitute.org/Truth. A transcript of this episode is available below. If you’d like to watch this episode on YouTube, press play. Or you can listen to the podcast on...
Jim Vokal & Gary Sadlemyer talk Nebraska’s Truth in Taxation law on KFAB
Jim Vokal joined Gary Sadlemyer on the KFAB Morning News to walk through how Nebraska’s new Truth in Taxation law equips taxpayers with more information about potential property tax increases, and what to do if they’re concerned. You can find more free tips and resources about Truth in Taxation at PlatteInstitute.org/Truth.
September is typically when we think of the beginning of fall and settling into the routine of a new school year. However, this year September will take on a new meaning. September is now Truth in Taxation month here in Nebraska. This year, our cities, counties, school boards, and community colleges are required to engage...
How inflation and taxes impact Nebraska farms and factories
Inflation is the top concern for families heading into midterm elections. Americans largely see federal government actions as hurting their households, and they’re right. As a result of the federal inflationary whirlwind, real wages have fallen 3.6% over the last year. Inflation and supply chain disruptions hurt all household budgets. But they also impact different...
Which parts of Nebraska’s jobs market have recovered from the pandemic?
Nebraska’s economy added 2,600 jobs in June, driving the state closer to a full recovery of payroll jobs from the pandemic recession. If Nebraska’s economy made a similar gain in July, it will be back to its pre-pandemic jobs peak. Like other states, Nebraska’s jobs recovery has been uneven across industries. And as the recovery...
Sign the Petition – Post the Unicameral’s Videos Online
“The Salvation of the State is Watchfulness in the Citizen” Some of you may remember that those are the words etched into the stone above the main entrance to our State Capitol building. Video recordings and archives of floor debate and committee hearings are one of the primary tools most states and U.S. territories...