Nebraska
Slama pitches Colorado’s ‘Taxpayer Bill of Rights’ for Nebraska
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar, who has criticized Gov. Jim Pillen’s property tax relief plan for costing many Nebraskans more while he benefits, touted her own proposal Saturday.
Slama’s 16-piece package of proposed constitutional amendments largely mirrors Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), with hard limits on state, local and school taxing and spending.
She split up the proposal to avoid running afoul of the Nebraska Supreme Court and the state constitutional rule that restricts certain new laws to a single subject.
Her proposal to let Nebraskans adopt a TABOR-style initiative at the ballot box this fall was heard Saturday by the Revenue Committee.
Slama described her proposal as a long-term fix for rising taxes linked to increased spending by local, school and state governments. She said it would let voters apply the brakes.
“This approach is unique in that it empowers the people,” she said. “It empowers the people to decide what their tax rate should be, what government should be spending money on.”
What Slama’s amendments would do
Essentially, her amendments would cap spending and taxing authority by every level of government unless overridden by a vote of the people. It would also let constituents sue the government to enforce the caps.
It would require a public vote to issue major government debt or bonding and would require a baseline rainy day fund of 3%.
Slama said her proposal, as an example, would likely prevent any future project like the City of Omaha’s modern streetcar project without voter approval.
Nobody but Slama testified in support of the idea, but State Sens. Brad von Gillern and Kathleen Kauth, both of Omaha, who sit on the Revenue Committee asked questions that seemed to express interest in the idea.
Both nibbled around how Slama’s proposal might be more lasting than others because it would be part of the constitution and not a state law that lawmakers could more easily change.
Both seemed to buy into Slama’s idea that her proposal would pair well with any short-term fix for property taxes the Legislature might adopt during Pillen’s special session.
“By any measure this is wildly popular in Colorado,” von Gillern said at one point in the hearing. “It’s hard to say the people shouldn’t have a voice in their tax policy.”
Slama, asked whether additional lawsuits could cost taxpayers more, said they wouldn’t because most would stop wayward tax increases with court injunctions.
Critics question damage caps could do
State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln and a pair of testifiers from Colorado, encouraged to testify by OpenSky Policy Institute, emphasized the potential damage to school and local funding.
Dungan questioned what role the passage of TABOR played in Colorado ranking near the bottom nationally in teacher pay and in school funding per pupil.
Representatives from the Nebraska Association of County Officials and the League of Nebraska Municipalities warned about the risks to hiring and retaining public employees.
Jon Cannon, executive director of NACO, and Lynn Rex, executive director of the League of Nebraska Municipalities, pointed to the declining condition of Colorado’s roads and said Nebraskans wouldn’t accept such poor road conditions.
Former Colorado state Rep. Brad Young and Denver-based economist Chris Stiffler said many local governments and school districts have opted out of TABOR, after public votes, because of the funding crunches it caused. (Nebraska’s version, as written, would limit the authority of local governments and schools to opt out.)
Young, who wrote a book about TABOR’s negative effects, said setting the cap for government spending growth at inflation plus population growth didn’t let local governments keep pace with their needs.
He said shrinking government relative to the economy means that the state and its local partners couldn’t pay competitive wages to teachers, health care workers or college and university employees.
“Population plus inflation does not keep up with the economy, and as a result, you end up with a constant shrinking of the government,” Young said.
Government costs don’t follow CPI, expert says
Stiffler said tying the government’s ability to purchase what it needs to the consumer price index leaves governments too little flexibility.
Governments “buy” roads, teachers and health care, he said, all of which have seen costs rise faster than the types of goods in the consumer price index. He said tying caps to a producer price index might work better.
He said some states tie spending caps to personal income growth. But he said starting teachers in Colorado now earn less than a Starbucks manager and the state is losing talent.
Some districts shortened the school week to four days during a recent round of state budget cuts that sliced $1 billion out of school funding, Stiffler said.
State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Omaha said Colorado’s schools consistently rank well in test scores and academic offerings.
She said higher school spending doesn’t always equate with outcomes, and she said Colorado isn’t struggling to attract new residents or visitors.
Colorado has grown from about 3.5 million in 1992, when TABOR passed, to 5.8 million in 2024, based on Census estimates.
“I know this is a slightly unique approach, but it brings a unique flavor to the debate,” Slama said. “Nebraskans work hard for their money, and they deserve a direct say in how it is spent.”
Nebraska voters rejected a TABOR-style state spending lid in 2006.
Slama’s property tax proposal
Under State Sen. Julie Slama’s proposed amendments, the following caps would require voter approval in a statewide general election to:
- Levy a new tax (Legislative Resolution 12CA and LR 7CA).
- Increase a tax rate (LR 13CA and LR 8CA).
- Extend an expiring tax (LR 14CA and LR 9CA).
- Change a taxation approach that increases the funds collected (LR 15CA and LR 10CA).
- Issue bonds or go into multi-year debt, indirect debt or other similar financial obligations. (LR 16CA and LR 11CA).
- Maintain a reserve of at least 3% of fiscal year spending, excluding bonded debt service, for declared emergencies (LR 17CA and LR18CA).
- Cap state spending each fiscal year to inflation plus the percentage change in the state’s population from the prior fiscal year (LR 20 CA and LR 19CA).
- Cap spending by local political subdivisions to inflation plus the percentage change from the political subdivision’s population the prior fiscal year (LR 22CA and LR 21CA).
— Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner reporter
Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Cate Folsom for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com. Follow Nebraska Examiner on Facebook and X.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2024 KOLN. All rights reserved.
The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on May 9.
Winning Powerball numbers from May 9 drawing
15-41-46-47-56, Powerball: 22, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from May 9 drawing
06-27-58-61-65, Powerball: 14
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 9 drawing
8-2-8
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from May 9 drawing
19-25-26-28-34
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from May 9 drawing
Red Balls: 01-02, White Balls: 13-26
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from May 9 drawing
Month: 08, Day: 06, Year: 05
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 9 drawing
08-11-17-29-49, Bonus: 02
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.
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
Stay on top of Husker football at CarrikerChronicles.com
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.
-
Movie Reviews3 minutes ago‘Mortal Kombat II’ is an Entertaining Mess of a Film – Review
-
World15 minutes agoTucker Carlson on ‘SNL’ Critiques the Met Gala and Slams the ‘Michael’ Movie for Ignoring ‘The Part When He Was a White Man’
-
News21 minutes agoHow Is Pope Leo Shaping the U.S. Church? Bishops.
-
Politics27 minutes agoAfter Virginia Redistricting Map Is Tossed, Democrats Search Desperately for a Response
-
Business33 minutes agoSales Are Up. Celebrities Are In. Is Gap Officially Back?
-
Science39 minutes agoWhat Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder?
-
Health45 minutes agoA 17¢ Supplement Is Changing Lives for Women Over 50—Here’s How
-
Culture57 minutes agoXia De-hong, 94, Dies; Persecuted in China, She Starred in Daughter’s Memoir