Nebraska Cattleman on March 2: Nebraska is neither a High-tax state or Low-tax state

Debate is already underway in the Unicameral, and lawmakers find themselves faced with tax issues that have significant implications for our state’s schools and agricultural community – which are key components of our economy.

A common misconception driving the debate is that Nebraska is a “high-tax” state. But a thorough review of the research shows that Nebraska is neither a high-tax state nor a low-tax state.

Nebraska ranks 26th in terms of combined local and state taxes as a share of personal income, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By the same measure, our state’s personal income taxes rank 29th, sales taxes rank 26th and property taxes rank 15th.

Reflective of the relatively higher property tax ranking, Nebraskans from Scottsbluff to Omaha made it clear that property taxes were their main concern during public hearings of the Tax Modernization Committee in 2013

Read Full Op-Ed on page 106.