Nebraska Governor Calls Special Legislative Session on Property Taxes

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has announced a special legislative session to tackle the state's escalating property taxes, a move that has drawn criticism from lawmakers due to the short notice provided. The proclamation, issued on Wednesday, comes after lawmakers failed to pass significant tax relief during the regular session in April. Over the past decade, property tax revenue in Nebraska has surged by nearly $2 billion, significantly outpacing income and sales tax revenue. The session will also address a proposed cap on property tax collections by local governments. Notably absent from Pillen's proclamation is any mention of a winner-take-all system for awarding electoral votes, a contentious issue ahead of the upcoming presidential election. Nebraska and Maine are the only states that split their electoral votes, and there has been a push from the Republican majority to align with the other 48 states that award all electoral votes to the statewide winner. While Pillen could still call for another special session to discuss this proposal, it remains unclear if he believes there is sufficient support among lawmakers. Criticism of Pillen's approach has emerged from both sides of the aisle. Some Republican lawmakers expressed frustration over the abrupt notice, with State Senator Julie Slama suggesting that Pillen's expectations for legislative action were unrealistic. Meanwhile, Democratic State Senator Justin Wayne has called for an immediate adjournment of the session, demanding more notice for future meetings, labeling the short notice as "blatant disrespect." Pillen's office has not provided an explanation for the timing of the proclamation.