Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has called a special legislative session to address the state’s soaring property taxes with just a day’s notice, causing some lawmakers to be upset. The special session was planned after lawmakers failed to pass a bill to significantly lower property taxes. Property taxes across the country have increased as home prices have risen, leading several states to implement measures to control them. In Nebraska, revenue from property taxes has increased by nearly $2 billion over the past decade, surpassing income and sales tax revenue.
The proclamation issued by Pillen includes various tax changes and appropriations, such as adding new taxes on items like cigarettes, candy, soda, hemp products, and gambling. It also calls for a cap on the amount of property taxes that cities and other local governments can collect. However, the proclamation does not address a winner-take-all system for awarding electoral votes ahead of the upcoming presidential election. Nebraska is one of the two states that split their electoral votes, but Republicans have been unsuccessful in passing a bill to switch to a winner-take-all system.
Lawmakers, particularly some Republicans, criticized Pillen for calling the special session last minute, disrupting their summer plans and requiring them to make childcare arrangements and put their jobs on hold. State Sen. Julie Slama referred to Pillen as “an entitled millionaire” in a social media post and criticized his proposed tax increase on working Nebraskans. Democrat State Sen. Justin Wayne called for the session to be adjourned immediately or for a week’s notice to be given before reconvening. He also criticized the lack of respect shown by Pillen by issuing the proclamation just hours before the session.
Governors in Nebraska can call a special session but must outline specific issues to be addressed in a proclamation. Typically, legislators receive this call a week or more in advance, but Pillen waited until the day before the session to issue the proclamation. The last special session in Nebraska took place in September 2021 to redraw political boundaries and lasted for 13 days. Pillen has expressed willingness to call as many special sessions as needed to pass significant property tax relief and has stated he will keep lawmakers in Lincoln until Christmas if necessary.
The lack of a detailed explanation from Pillen regarding the timing of the proclamation has led to frustration among lawmakers, with Wayne criticizing the lack of consideration and disrespect shown to them. Wayne emphasized that lawmakers have families and lives outside of their legislative duties and deserve to be treated with respect. Despite the backlash, Pillen’s office did not provide further information as to why the proclamation was issued last minute, leaving many questions unanswered. Lawmakers continue to navigate the challenges of addressing property taxes and other pressing issues facing the state during the special legislative session.
