In 2019, the Platte Institute successfully opposed more than $750 million in tax increases before the Nebraska Legislature’s Revenue Committee, where every proposal to hike income taxes, sales taxes, or excise taxes is guaranteed a hearing.

In 2020, legislators have received the message that the Platte Institute is watching. Out of nearly 500 new bills introduced in the ongoing session, there are no major tax increase proposals. Instead, numerous bills to cut property, income, and sales taxes were introduced, giving the Platte Institute a chance to articulate a vision for a Nebraska where people have more freedom and opportunity to live a good life.

Platte provided testimony in support of a property tax reform package that aligns closely with recommendations from Platte’s report, “Get Real About Property Taxes.” The plan calls for making a 15-20 percent cut in school district property tax assessments and imposes stronger caps on spending and tax rates. In exchange, the state will provide funds to help balance local school budgets without raising taxes.

Business and agriculture groups supported the bill, while school districts spoke out against it, preferring an open-ended offer of more state funding without property tax reforms.

Thanks to the Platte Institute’s members supporting these efforts, ineffective “tax relief” programs based on spending and subsidies are increasingly being replaced with proposals for fundamental tax reform.