(KLZA)-- Last week, the Legislature debated the controversial property tax “reform” package from the Revenue Committee, LB 388.

1st District State Senator Julie Slama says that while she appreciates the hard work of those on the committee in seeking a solution to lower property taxes, she remains opposed to the measure, saying that it is a tax shift and not true tax reform. Slama says this plan will simply solving one problem while creating another.

Slama said this plan is “simply an attempt for current elected officials to claim that they have lowered property taxes when they are looking for re-election.”

The Southeast Nebraska representative says Nebraska has a spending problem and needs to limit spending on local governments. The proposed tax package would raise Nebraska- state sales tax rate by 1 cent, an 18% increase which would move Nebraska into the top 10 for highest rates among states.

A sales tax hike means that Nebraskans will be paying more for the goods and services that their families need, increasing the cost of cars, clothes, and school supplies. Sales taxes are the most regressive tax category in the state resulting in little to no relief to low- and middle-income families.

Nebraska needs hard spending caps on school districts as they make up the largest portion of property tax spending instead of the Nebraska “mom and pop” shops that are trying to make payroll after the pandemic. This tax shift hurts our local grocery stores, storage facilities, veterinary clinics, and more.