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Governor introduces tax plans to legislature
Governor Dave Heineman's plan to cut a variety of taxes is now on the table before state lawmakers.
The Legislature's Revenue Committee opens a hearing this afternoon on a bill that would reduce three separate taxes. The proposal would lower individual state income taxes and corporate income taxes. It also would end the inheritance tax, which is imposed on beneficiaries when a person dies. Heineman unveiled the proposal in his State of the State message earlier this month. The governor says Nebraska has made significant progress in terms of taxes, but Nebraskans are still taxed too much. He says some will argue that the state can't afford tax relief. But, says the state can't afford to miss an opportunity to help hard-working Nebraskans. The proposed inheritance tax repeal has triggered a backlash from groups that represent counties. Many Nebraska counties say they rely on inheritance tax revenue to fill their rainy-day funds and offset property taxes. Meanwhile, the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee will hold a hearing this afternoon on a bill that would restore the state's role in Nebraska's management of child welfare cases. LB961 would reclaim case management duties from private contractors. The committee bill is a major piece of Nebraska's effort to overhaul its child services, but it's expected to face opposition from two lead agencies who see it as a step toward unsuccessful policies from the past. Lawmakers will also hear a bill that would create an inspector general's office to police Nebraska's child welfare system. The privatization effort began in 2009. |
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