Video: Omaha Metro Virtual Property Tax Town Hall
VIDEO NEWS RELEASE from the Platte Institute
August 10, 2020
Contact: Adam Weinberg
(402) 500-0209
aweinberg@platteinstitute.org
VIDEO: Omaha Metro Nebraska Virtual Property Tax Town Hall
OMAHA, NE — The Platte Institute hosted the Omaha Metro Virtual Property Tax Town Hall tonight. A video of the program is available for download here for rebroadcast.
The video is also available for viewing and sharing on Facebook, YouTube, and PlatteInstitute.org.
Participants voted on a variety of live, online property tax issue polls throughout the program. Here are the results, which may not add to 100% due to rounding:
Question #1 – Pandemic Impact
With everything that has happened during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska, are you more concerned about property taxes, less concerned about property taxes, or about as concerned as before?
More Concerned: 21%
Less Concerned: 0%
About as Concerned as Before: 79%
Question #2 – LB1107
The Legislature’s current property tax proposal, LB1107, promises to provide property owners $375 million in additional credits annually for school property taxes paid by 2024. Last year, a property valued at $100,000 received $104 in credit under the current property tax relief program. This new proposal is likely to more than double that amount, though local property taxes could still continue to rise. What is your level of satisfaction with this proposal?
Very satisfied: 6%
Somewhat satisfied: 17%
Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied: 11%
Somewhat dissatisfied: 50%
Very dissatisfied: 17%
Question #3 – Consumption Tax
How would you vote on a constitutional amendment to end local property and state income taxes, replacing them with a 10.5% sales tax on all new consumer goods and services you purchase?
Support: 53%
Oppose: 24%
Undecided: 24%
Question #4 – Truth in Taxation
How would you vote on a ballot initiative requiring taxpayers to be provided with notice, by mail, of all public hearings where property taxes may be increased?
Support: 79%
Oppose: 14%
Undecided: 7%
Question #5 – Local Spending
In order to reduce local property taxes, would you be willing to reduce government spending, even if it resulted in cuts to services including public education, local health programs, or road maintenance?
Support: 40%
Oppose: 27%
Undecided: 33%
Question #6 – Who Decides?
Now that you’ve heard about some of the issues and potential ideas for property tax reform in Nebraska, who do you believe would do a better job adopting changes to Nebraska’s property tax laws?
Nebraska Voters: 53%
The Nebraska Legislature: 33%
Undecided: 13%
To schedule an interview on this subject, please contact Adam Weinberg at (402) 500-0209 or aweinberg@platteinstitute.org.
The Platte Institute advances policies that remove barriers to growth and opportunity in Nebraska. More media resources are available at PlatteInstitute.org/Media.