NE lawmakers adjourn for weekend, will continue work on property tax relief behind the scenes • Nebraska Examiner

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature will not have a revised, formal property tax relief plan until at least Monday as the Revenue Committee takes more time to craft the new package.

At the request of State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, the Revenue Committee chair, the Legislature voted 33-11 to formally adjourn until Monday. That pushes back an initial schedule to begin debate on a new property tax relief package, intended to be a rewrite of Legislative Bill 9, as early as Thursday. Multiple delays in perfecting that amendment pushed off debate.

Linehan outlined concerns in the current draft amendment and asked for feedback at a morning briefing she led with her colleagues. Along with her committee vice chair, State Sen. Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn, she asked senators to bring their ideas. 

Since that briefing, she said senators have done so and asked for changes that could earn their support.

“Not ‘change this because I’ll feel better,’ but ‘change this because I’ll vote for it,’” Linehan told reporters after the adjournment vote. “We’ve got to figure out what those things are.”

Linehan said she will personally negotiate with key senators Friday, ensuring she doesn’t lose more votes than she gains. Saturday could be a possible closed-door meeting among committee members who could kick a tax package out by Monday afternoon.

It might look like senators are going home for the weekend, Linehan acknowledged, but she said each one will be working. She has remained confident that there is a path forward.

“We’re to the point where we can’t just come and complain about the bill,” Linehan said. “If you’re coming to help by giving us a vote to get to 33, then we can have a conversation. If you’re coming just to complain and want to kill the bill, then I’m not talking to you.”

The Legislature will reconvene Monday at 1 p.m. just to check in, so the amended tax package, if voted out of committee, could be read into the record. Debate could start Tuesday morning.