A scaled-down version of Governor Heineman's tax proposal comes before the Revenue Committee where it receives a scaled-back public hearing
A scaled-down version of Governor Heineman's tax proposal comes before the Revenue Committee where it receives a scaled-back public hearing. Brent Martin reports. . .
Brent Martin;
Governor Heineman acknowledges all the testimony given by more than 50 speakers during the 9-and-a-half hour meeting Wednesday. . .
Gov. Dave Heineman; "we heard from them"
Many returned to speak on the smaller bill which would end 400-Million dollars in sales tax exemptions in order to eliminate the corporate income tax and reduce the state tax on retirement income.
Nucor vice president Doyle Hopper says the smaller bill will still hit hard Nucor's three factories in Norfolk. . .
Doyle Hopper, vice president, Nucor; "grow in Nebraska"
Opponents tell the Revenue Committee the bill will hurt the state economy.
One opponent after another tell a legislative committee they don't like a scaled down version of the governor's tax proposal any better than the larger one.
Syracuse farmer Steve Wellam, speaking for the Nebraska Soybean Association, says the loss of sales tax exemptions will hit hard the farmer's bottom line. . .
Steve Wellam, farmer, Syracuse; "go higher"
The public hearing on the smaller bill before the Revenue Committee lasted about half the length of the hearing on the larger bill, but opponents were just as adamant about their dislike for the bill.
Opponents to the governor's tax proposal come out as strong against the scaled-back version of the bill has they did on the larger bill.
George Kubat with Phillips Manufacturing of Omaha says the loss of sales tax exemptions would make Nebraska manufacturers less competitive...and Kubat objects to the process, agreeing that the state needs to arrive at the best tax system for Nebraska. . .
George Kubat, Phillips Manufacturing, Omaha; "406"
Manufacturers say the loss of sales tax exemptions could drive some out of the state.
In the face of strong opposition, a co-sponsor of the governor's tax proposal in the legislature vows to keep up the fight.
Senator Beau McCoy of Omaha says he understands after two days of hearings that many do not like the swap of taxes proposed by the bill. . .
Sen. Beau McCoy, co-sponsor; "watching closely"
Both bills propose eliminating certain sales tax exemptions in exchange for either the elimination or the reduction of the state income tax.
(courtesy of Nebraska Radio Network)
