Ricketts, senators draw battle lines on tax reform proposal

The Legislature's gathering tax reform storm is sparking some early thunder and lightning, setting the stage for a contentious showdown when the proposal lands on the legislative floor next week.

As Gov. Pete Ricketts and Revenue Committee Chairwoman Lou Ann Linehan offered diametrically opposed descriptions of the tax plan proposed by her committee, supporters of an initiative petition drive to impose deep reductions in property taxes held a noon-hour rally in front of the state Capitol to dial up the pressure.

The initiative proposal seeking a 2020 vote of the people on a constitutional amendment to provide a state income tax credit for 35 percent of local property taxes paid is designed in part to push the Legislature to act before voters take the matter into their own hands.

Voter enactment of that proposal would trigger increases in state tax rates or reductions in state programs and services, or both.

Read more: https://journalstar.com/legislature/ricketts-senators-draw-battle-lines-on-tax-reform-proposal/article_9278b715-96c7-57f0-9ea3-125bc944268b.html
(Lincoln Journal Star)