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Nebraskans debate tax cuts

A Nebraska ag leader is frustrated with the course of tax-cutting efforts in the Nebraska legislature.

Nebraska Farmers Union president John Hansen says the focus should be on lowering property taxes, not cutting income taxes.

“Everything that we’re hearing from agriculture and from homeowners is that the number one concern right now on the part of a lot of taxpayers is the overreliance on property taxes,” Hansen says. “There is not a drumbeat or a groundswell for an income tax cut.”

But Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts continues to push for a tax package that includes both property and income tax relief.

“I think it’s unlikely we will be able to get the votes to be able to pass property tax relief unless we also have income tax relief, to be able to build that coalition that gets us to 33 votes,” says Ricketts.

However, some senators are also questioning the wisdom of an income tax cut in light of the state’s projected budget deficit.

AUDIO: John Hansen