Center for Rural Affairs Respond to Revenue Forecast

In a statement released today, the Center for Rural Affairs found reasons for encouragement in the revenue forecast, including room for optimism about addressing property taxes, but warned about harming crucial investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure and community development.

“We are cautiously optimistic about today’s revenue forecast as it indicates the Legislature may be able to address property taxes, which is what Nebraskans want when it comes to taxes,” said Jon Bailey, director of the rural public policy program at the Center for Rural Affairs.

“Nebraska’s increasingly strong economy presents us with the opportunity to make smart investments in our state and our people to protect and strengthen the good life we have built in Nebraska,” said Bailey. “Restoring some of the cuts done by the Legislature during the recession to education, aid to counties and cities and other necessary programs would be a good strategic use of these forecast funds.”

“But tax cuts that primarily benefit a few based on projected revenue would be a risky gamble that would threaten our schools, healthcare and other services every Nebraskan needs. A temporary use of the state’s reserves for permanent tax cuts without the money actually in the bank is fiscal malpractice,” concluded Bailey.