Nebraska Governor Calls Special Session to Tackle Property Tax Puzzles

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has stirred quite the political stew by issuing a last-minute proclamation to call a special legislative session aimed at addressing the state’s escalating property taxes. Lawmakers were given barely a day’s notice, igniting a firestorm of reactions, particularly among those who had hoped to enjoy a quiet summer before diving back into the political fray. Pillen had previously warned that he would convene a special session over the summer after the regular legislative session in April failed to produce a substantial property tax relief bill.

The core of the issue lies in the staggering increase in revenue from property taxes over the past decade, which has ballooned by nearly $2 billion. This surge has significantly outpaced the revenues collected from income and sales taxes, creating a pressing fiscal imbalance. Pillen’s proclamation isn’t just about holding a special session; it also calls for sweeping changes, including new taxes on a diverse range of items—from cigarettes and candy to hemp products and gambling—essentially putting the fun in funding.

However, not everyone is thrilled about this abrupt call to action. The governor’s move has ruffled feathers, especially among lawmakers who had to abruptly rearrange their summer plans, secure childcare, and put their full-time jobs on hold to return to the Capitol. State Sen. Julie Slama, a Republican in the ostensibly nonpartisan unicameral Legislature, expressed her displeasure on social media, branding Pillen as “an entitled millionaire.” She also criticized his proposal to slash property taxes by 50%, a move she argues would merely shift the financial burden to an expanded array of goods and services now subject to a 5.5% sales tax.

Under Nebraska’s rules, the governor has the authority to call a special session but must issue a proclamation specifying the issues to be addressed. Although there is no legally mandated deadline for issuing such proclamations, it is customary for lawmakers to receive at least a week’s notice. Pillen’s eleventh-hour announcement, with mere hours to spare before the session was set to commence, was viewed by some as a blatant display of disrespect.

Among the critics is another state senator, who lambasted the governor’s handling of the situation as a clear sign of disregard for the legislative body’s time and responsibilities. Despite these grievances, Pillen remains resolute, asserting that he will call as many special sessions as necessary and keep lawmakers in Lincoln “until Christmas” if that’s what it takes to pass significant property tax relief.

Thus, Pillen’s audacious move has not only brought the issue of property taxes to the forefront but also triggered a broader debate about the balance of power and respect within Nebraska’s political landscape. Lawmakers are now left to grapple with the dual challenges of addressing an urgent fiscal issue and navigating the murky waters of intra-governmental relations, all while under the pressure cooker of a special session called at the eleventh hour. Whether this session will yield the desired tax relief or simply exacerbate tensions remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Nebraska’s political summer is heating up.