Senators advanced a bill from general file March 13 that would extend a homestead exemption to disabled veterans.<\/p>\n
LB1087, introduced by Omaha Sen. Pete Pirsch, would provide a 100 percent property tax exemption for a veteran with an honorable or general discharge who is drawing compensation for a 100 percent disability, but not eligible for the existing total homestead exemption.<\/p>\n
Pirsch said the proposal is a small step in recognizing veterans.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to look at the individuals whose lives have been affected, whose service needs to be recognized,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The bill also would provide a 100 percent exemption to the single widow or widower of any honorably or generally discharged veteran who died because of a service-related disability. The single widow or widower of a veteran killed while on active duty also would be eligible for the exemption.<\/p>\n
The exemption would take effect Jan. 1, 2015. The bill would decrease General Fund revenue by an estimated $406,000 in fiscal year 2015-16 and $416,000 in FY2016-17.<\/p>\n
Bancroft Sen. Lydia Brasch supported the bill, saying that a favorable tax climate would encourage veterans to settle in the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are men and women that have taken extreme risks with their lives,\u201d she said. \u201cThis is an attempt to help make those individuals stay in Nebraska.\u201d<\/p>\n
Columbus Sen. Paul Schumacher said he supported the bill, but cautioned other senators that exemptions like the one proposed in LB1087 could lead to a slippery slope.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an absolute exemption, without regard to combat duty or how the injury occurred,\u201d he said. \u201cAre we also going to do this for police officers? Firefighters? Teachers?\u201d<\/p>\n
Senators advanced the bill on a 28-0 vote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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