Occupation taxes levied by municipalities would be subject to a popular vote under a bill discussed in a Revenue Committee hearing Jan. 25.<\/p>\n
Valentine Sen. Deb Fischer said she introduced LB745 to increase control and transparency of occupation taxes. The bill would require that any proposed occupation tax be subject to a vote of the people, have a specific purpose and indicate a sunset date.<\/p>\n
Any change in the rate of a current occupation tax also would be subject to a vote. The bill would not eliminate occupation taxes currently in place.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not a bill to restrict cities from raising revenue,\u201d Fischer said. \u201cIt\u2019s necessary to control the use of these taxes and provide citizens with a clear view.\u201d<\/p>\n
Richard Baier, executive vice-president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill. He explained that further economic development depends on a favorable tax system.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether we like it or not, Nebraska remains a high tax state,\u201d Baier said. \u201cWe need people to know that Nebraska is open for new companies and new residents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lynn Rex, executive director of the League of Nebraska Municipalities, said the provision requiring that each occupation tax be subject to a popular vote would cost more than any revenue gathered from the tax. She said the bill would place unfair restrictions on local governments.<\/p>\n
\u201cRelatively few occupation taxes are imposed for a specific purpose,\u201d Rex said. \u201c[The bill] would make it hard to raise revenue.\u201d<\/p>\n
The committee took no immediate action on the bill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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