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Pillen accuses Parliament of “wasting time” as special session in Nebraska is postponed until Monday
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Pillen accuses Parliament of “wasting time” as special session in Nebraska is postponed until Monday

LINCOLN, Nebraska (WOWT) – Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen on Thursday called on a group of senators to speak out, saying the small minority is failing the people they serve.

In a statement, the governor accused the group of using “baseless and time-wasting tactics” during the special property tax session.

Responding to Pillen’s statement, Senator Julie Slama of Sterling said ideas like a valuation freeze were being ignored: “King Jimmy is very angry that the senators are fighting his plan to raise taxes on working Nebraskans.”

During a Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, State Senator Lou Ann Linehan introduced Bill LB9. Under the bill, a home in Omaha valued at about $200,000 would pay about $1,800 less in taxes per year; an average family renting could save about $600.

Page 8 of the briefing on the property tax package 8.8.24

Page 11 of the briefing on the property tax package 8.8.24

Changes to the bill include keeping the tax exemption for services such as accounting and auto repair. Linehan said senators are tired and need to get the bill out of committee.

“If we bring something up and actually have a conversation instead of just filibustering, then we can talk about these things. But if we bring it up and just filibuster, then we can’t have those conversations,” Linehan said.

A closed session of senators was scheduled for Thursday afternoon to discuss the latest version of the property tax law, but it was canceled.

The legislature, which adjourned on Thursday afternoon, is not scheduled to reconvene until Monday.

Read the Governor’s full statement

“I deeply appreciate the extremely hard work of the House majority to deliver transformative property tax reform to the people of Nebraska. These Senators, representing all political camps and all corners of our state, are doing the right thing for their constituents by engaging in tough negotiations, sharing ideas in good faith, and working with their colleagues to craft a compromise that works for Nebraska. Their commitment is all the more impressive considering it is moving forward under tremendous pressure from lobbyists seeking to protect loopholes for special interests at the expense of hard-working Nebraska homeowners. I know that any plan passed by the House will be a hard-fought compromise and that it will not include all of the provisions I believe in and fight for. Nonetheless, I have great respect for the House’s work and look forward to signing this into law.

However, a small minority of Senators are failing in their duty to the people of Nebraska. Some of them have a well-known track record of blocking the work of citizens through extreme filibusters. Others have stooped to baseless personal attacks on the House floor and on social media to pursue their simmering political grievances. I urge them to stop their obstructive rhetoric and time-wasting tactics and work with their colleagues to craft a bipartisan, mutually acceptable solution.

The people of Nebraska are watching the situation closely and will hold accountable those elected officials who do not take action to resolve this crisis. An overwhelming majority of Nebraskans support lowering property taxes, limiting government spending, and closing loopholes for special interests. Doing nothing is not an acceptable option for Nebraskans.”

Digital Director Gina Dvorak contributed to this report.

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