Nebraska
Latest NE property tax plan would add sales tax to another 70-plus goods and services • Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers are officially set to debate a tax relief package Tuesday that will include consideration of ending nearly 70 sales tax exemptions to provide funding for property tax cuts.
One month ago, a draft property tax plan indicated lawmakers might begin taxing sales of 120 more goods or services. That number has been incrementally reduced in successive rewrites, and at this point has been cut nearly in half.
The proposal
Some of the main components of the tax plan include:
- Lowering the maximum school district tax rates for operational expenses to 40 cents per $100 of valuation for fiscal year 2025-26; 35 cents in 2026-27; and 30 cents in 2027-28 and beyond. The current maximum rate is $1.05.
- Capping the annual increase in property tax collections by municipal and county governments at the rate of inflation or at 0% in times of deflation.
- Crediting taxpayers for property taxes paid to their natural resources district (beginning at 50% in the next fiscal year).
- Reimbursing county jail expenses (beginning at 25% in the next fiscal year).
Revenue Committee advances NE property tax relief package, with debate to start Tuesday
Most funding will come from retooling existing property tax reduction programs, such as tax credits and the portion of homestead exemptions no longer needed as school tax rates come down.
The other major area of financing will come from the newly taxed goods and services and increases to “sin” taxes, such as on spirits, cigarettes, oral nicotine pouches, vapes, cigarettes, keno and cash devices.
Legislative Bill 34, as originally introduced by State Sen. Tom Brewer of north-central Nebraska, would freeze property valuation increases over four years. He has described it as a “backup plan” or “fail-safe.”
‘They don’t fix the problems’
State Sen. Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn, vice chair of the Revenue Committee, said he is “cautiously optimistic” heading into Tuesday’s floor debate after he and the committee chair, State Sen Lou Ann Linehan, and others “listened to parties on all sides.” Von Gillern said committee members tried their best to build the bill around concerns raised.
State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, the lone “no” committee vote on LB 34, said the package remains “inherently regressive” and would hurt low-income residents. He said it would also not provide relief to renters, who live in about 50% of the housing units in Dungan’s district.
“I understand there are certain parts of it that are intended to help low-income individuals, but on the whole, when you balance those against the other portions of the bill, I simply think they don’t fix the problems,” Dungan said.
State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, who was “present, not voting” on Monday’s committee vote, said afterward: “It’s just not there yet for me.”
The Legislature is officially nonpartisan, but votes sometimes split along ideological lines. On Monday, the six Republican committee members supported the package. Dungan and Bostar are Democrats.
Municipalities have raised concerns about the proposed sales tax changes on two fronts. One is with the state collecting an additional 12% in local sales tax revenue each year. The other involves how businesses can request future refunds for economic development and workforce incentive programs, such as the Nebraska Advantage and ImagiNE Nebraska Acts.
Those tax incentive programs utilize local sales taxes, but with the municipalities not collecting the full tax base, some have said it could further complicate planning for those future refunds.
Von Gillern pointed to a provision of LB 34 ensuring that cities or villages do not collect less sales tax revenue than they did in 2023-24, plus a 1% annual increase.
“There is a floor built into the bill, so they’re not going to get hurt on any of that,” he said.
‘We’ve got to get to 30’
Von Gillern also pointed to an independent study from Ernie Goss, a regional economist and professor at Creighton University, contending that all taxes are regressive but that high property taxes are the most detrimental to economic growth.
“We’ve done as much as we can to take as much out that would have impacted the lowest income people, and I think we’ve done a good job of that,” von Gillern said. “We listened to the opponents, and we tried to modify as much as we could.”
He also pointed to internal legislative modeling, which was done on a previous tax package, where families with modest income would see a net benefit. He said that “seems to be forgotten in this discussion.”
Linehan said she thinks she has 31 votes but that getting to 33 votes on some bills to break a filibuster, particularly on proposals related to taxation, is “very, very partisan.”
“We’ve got to get to 30,” Linehan said. “I think we’re at about 31 right now.”
Many provisions of LB 34, if passed, would take effect Oct. 1. That would require 33 votes not only to end debate but also to pass the bill to take effect within three calendar months. Sales tax exemptions or repeals can only occur at the start of a calendar quarter.
First-round debate on the package will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday and can last up to eight hours.
I recently read an article by Nate McHugh of SB Nation that stated the last two “sure things” to bring Nebraska football back failed. The first “thing” is back coaching at UCF, and the second “thing” is now wearing an Oregon uniform. Because these two “sure things” failed, McHugh points to them as reasons for Husker fan’s frustration. But did he miss the third reason? If I’m not mistaken, the hiring of Matt Rhule felt like one of those “sure things” as well. But after the ‘mythical’ year three and disappointment it became clear Rhule’s hiring was anything but a “sure thing” for success.
Because of that fans are torn how they feel about Rhule. I’m one of them. I catch myself saying Rhule is the right guy for Nebraska and then quickly point out that his overall record as a head coach is 66-62. Clearly mediocre compared to Kyle Whittingham (177-88) or James Franklin (104-45). But Rhule hasn’t stayed anywhere long enough to truly establish himself like Whittingham or Franklin either.
See what I mean, I’m quick to point out his shortcomings but still believe he can make the Huskers relevant again. Where Husker fans struggle is that Rhule has in fact taken us to back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2015-2016 yet allowed his team to get curb stomped by Penn State, Iowa, and Utah to end the season.
So, fans are leery going into the 2026 season. What are we going to get considering the schedule? The Huskers get Indiana, Washington, and Ohio State at home, and Oregon, Illinois, and Iowa on the road. While no game is a sure win, if they can’t notch victories against Ohio, Bowling Green, North Dakota, Michigan State, Maryland and Rutgers, then we’ll once again question if Rhule is the right man. Simply put, the fan base will be disappointed with another 6-6 season. Personally, with the coaching changes and improvement in talent, my expectation is a record of 7-5 or 8-4 on the season.
Tim Verghese of ‘Inside Nebraska’ got my attention last week when talking about fans giving recruits a negative vibe and possibly influencing their decision to commit to a program. He used Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M as an example. The fanbase was so negative about Fisher that it made recruits question how secure he was at A&M. Obviously recruits had reason to be worried.
Does that affect how I approach what I write or talk about? It does, but then again, I don’t think so much of myself to think it matters. I see myself as your typical fan. I’m just someone who shares their thoughts about Husker football. And frankly, like 50% or more of the fans, I’m torn between being supportive and negativity. We’ve been burned too many times and haven’t seen the things that we need to see to convince us a turnaround is about to happen. Whether it’s offense, defense, or beating the teams they are supposed to beat (Minnesota & Iowa) there just hasn’t been any consistency from Rhule’s teams. As fans we need to see Rhule’s teams win the games they are supposed to, then win the close games, and finally beat the teams they aren’t supposed to. Until we see Rhule’s teams take those steps, there will be doubt and a level of negativity.
As far as recruits are concerned, I don’t see Rhule going anywhere. He’s safe due to his contract, the investment being made on the stadium, and Trae Taylor making it clear he’s all ‘N’ as long as Matt Rhule is the head man. He may just be a senior in high school, but don’t think QB Trae Taylor doesn’t play a role here. He does. And I’m good with that. Taylor has the same expectations as the fans.
And no, those expectations aren’t too high. I’ve been a fan for over fifty years. The standard at Nebraska was set a long time ago. That standard hasn’t changed. Nebraska fans may be up and down on how they feel about Rhule, but they are consistent on their expectations. The standard is the standard and always will be.
GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!
Photo courtesy of the Falls City Journal Home – Falls City Journal – Falls City, NE
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The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Friday, May 8, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on May 8.
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 8 drawing
8-0-5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from May 8 drawing
01-03-12-24-26
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from May 8 drawing
Red Balls: 02-20, White Balls: 09-11
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from May 8 drawing
Month: 01, Day: 16, Year: 17
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing
14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Nebraska Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, 5: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- 2 By 2: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- MyDaY: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Nebraska Athletics announced Friday that the expansion of John Cook Arena is in full swing.
The Nebraska Athletics Capital Planning and Facilities Department posted to social media that the effort to modernize amenities and provide new seating options is well underway.
According to the athletic fund, the renovation will enhance Nebraska’s home-court advantage, modernize amenities and provide new premium and general seating options. This includes adding:
- New and improved seats with cup holders in each seat.
- A new centralized student section.
- New and improved courtside seating with both end court and side court locations available. The Courtside Lounge offers access pregame and during intermission and includes private restrooms, televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food, beverage and alcohol.
- New Loge Box seating with hospitality lounge with access pregame and during intermission, including access to private restrooms, televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food and beverage with a cash bar.
- Libero Club seating replaces the VIP seats. Located in the back row of the 100 level, seats include access to the Libero Club Lounge pregame and during intermission complete with televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food and soft drinks with a cash bar.
- Additional ADA seating with new vantage points and easier access from around the concourse.
The Husker Athletic Fund announced the first-ever reseating and parking process in October 2025. It is timed to coincide with the renovation of the arena to increase overall capacity to 10,000.
For more information about the reseating process, click here.
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