With an emphasis on growth and innovation, Gov. Pete Ricketts proposed providing property tax relief, creating new and better-paying jobs, easing regulatory burdens and increasing educational opportunities in his State of the State Address to lawmakers Jan. 22.<\/p>\n
Ricketts said he relied on his private sector background when crafting the state budget, which would restrict spending growth to 3 percent over the biennium, down from 6.5 percent during the previous biennium. This savings, combined with the state\u2019s annual 5 percent revenue growth rate, Ricketts said, would help taxpayers afford more goods and services, further growing the state\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI promised the people of Nebraska I would put my business experience to work for the state. To that end, I worked to develop a budget \u2014 a blueprint that slows the growth of spending, provides for property tax relief, has room to make improvements in critical areas like corrections and [Health and Human Services] and also funds the essential services of state government,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The governor emphasized the importance of retaining young Nebraskans and bringing in new people as the impetus for property tax relief. His budget proposal includes a transfer of $60 million each year to the property tax credit relief fund \u2014 an increase of nearly 43 percent.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is one consistent message I have heard in every corner of the state: property taxes are too high,\u201d Ricketts said. \u201cThis property tax relief will help all Nebraskans \u2014 homeowners, small business owners and our farmers and ranchers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ricketts also proposed a 10 percent decrease in agricultural land valuations from 75 to 65 percent, phased in over two years. He said the state\u2019s high property taxes are simply not sustainable for those working in the agricultural sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did not get to be a high tax state overnight,\u201d he said. \u201cWe won\u2019t get taxes down overnight either. But together, we can take important steps toward providing tax relief.\u201d<\/p>\n
The governor urged lawmakers to be mindful of the state\u2019s most vulnerable citizens when crafting the state\u2019s budget.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is easy to view a government budget as a collection of numbers in rows and columns next to agencies and programs,\u201d he said, \u201cbut behind the numbers are people\u2019s lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ricketts called for \u201ctransformational leaders\u201d to head state agencies, including the state Department of Correctional Services and the state Department of Health and Human Services. He said he is seeking a culture change among state agencies that will give \u201cvoice to the voiceless.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people who need our help do not fit neatly into the silos we have created,\u201d Ricketts said. \u201cWe need a system that cares for the entire person, helps them reach their full potential and if possible helps them live a life free of public assistance.\u201d<\/p>\n
The governor\u2019s other proposals included a decrease in federal overregulation, a call on President Barack Obama to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, the elimination of state income tax for members of the armed forces and a career vocational training pilot program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are united in our desire to make Nebraska a better place for our communities and for our children and grandchildren,\u201d he said. \u201cOur ancestors made sacrifices for future generations, for the greater good of Nebraska. And so we too will focus on the future.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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