LINCOLN, NE – Nebraska State Senator Heath Mello (District 5) issued the following statement in response to the introduction of LB 970 by Governor Dave Heineman:

“Despite the fact that middle-class Nebraskans have been clamoring for the state to address our high residential property taxes, Governor Heineman continues to focus on reducing taxes for the wealthiest 20%,” said Mello, “Even the ultra-conservative Tax Foundation, a group whose data Governor Heineman cites as evidence in support of his package, shows that Nebraska ranks worse in property taxes in comparison to any other tax ranking considered by LB 970.”

The 2012 Tax Foundation Report, which was unveiled yesterday, ranked Nebraska’s overall tax climate as 30th among the fifty states. Of the five different tax burdens considered by the report, Nebraska’s property tax ranking was 37th, the worst of five rankings assigned to the state.

In response to Heineman’s proposal, Mello has introduced LB 977, the Property Tax Relief Act. Under the bill, Nebraska homeowners would receive approximately $76 million in property tax relief. Through a homestead exemption of the first $8,000 in a home’s value, the average homeowner in Nebraska would receive more than $150 in property tax relief annually.

Unlike the existing Property Tax Credit program, Mello’s bill is specifically targeted to residential property taxpayers, ensuring that Nebraska residents, not out-of-state landowners, receive the bulk of the benefits.

“LB 977 represents the most significant middle-class tax relief package we could consider this session,” said Mello. “If we are going to discuss any tax changes this session, property tax relief must be part of the debate.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 26, 2012

For More Information:
Senator Heath Mello, (402) 471-2710
  

LINCOLN, NE – Nebraska State Senator Heath Mello (District 5) issued the following statement in response to Governor Heineman’s proposed tax package:

“If Governor Heineman clearly believes that despite our current budget situation, that we can afford to cut taxes, I believe property tax relief should be the focus of that conversation,” said Mello, “My constituents and hundreds of thousands of Nebraskans across the state have been demanding that when we discuss tax relief, that we focus on addressing our state’s high residential property taxes.”

In response to Heineman’s proposal, Mello introduced LB 977, the Property Tax Relief Act. Under the bill, Nebraska homeowners would receive approximately $76 million in property tax relief. Through a homestead exemption of the first $8,000 in a home’s value, the average homeowner in Nebraska would receive more than $150 in property tax relief annually.

Unlike the existing Property Tax Credit program, Mello’s bill is specifically targeted to residential property taxpayers, ensuring that Nebraska residents, not out-of-state landowners, receive the bulk of the benefits.

“LB 977 represents the most significant middle-class tax relief package we could consider this session,” said Mello. “If we are going to discuss any tax proposal in the coming months, property tax relief must be part of the debate.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2011

For More Information:
Senator Heath Mello, (402) 471-2710

Bill would require state agencies to buy American-made products

LINCOLN, NE – Earlier today, Nebraska State Senator Heath Mello (District 5, South Omaha) announced the introduction of LB 923, a bi-partisan legislative proposal to require the purchase and use of American-made iron, steel, and manufactured goods by Nebraska state agencies.

Based upon concepts proposed by the Alliance for American Manufacturing, a coalition of American manufacturing companies and the United Steelworkers, the “Nebraska Buy American Act” would require that public works contracts by state agencies contain provisions that the manufactured goods used or supplied in performance of the contract be manufactured in the United States. The “Buy American” provisions of the bill would be waived if American-made goods were not available in sufficient quantity, or if the purchase of American-made goods would increase the cost of any contract by more than 10%.

“In addition to helping our existing Nebraska manufacturers, these ‘Buy American’ provisions will help encourage American manufacturers to keep jobs in the United States,” said Mello, “If American manufacturers clearly know that the State of Nebraska will be a stable consumer of American-made goods, they are far more likely to keep their operations in America because of the demand in the marketplace.”

Recent public opinion research conducted by the Alliance for American Manufacturing shows strong bi-partisan support for using American-made goods when taxpayer dollars are on the line. In 2011 national polling, 90% of Americans favored the use of “Buy American” provisions to ensure that taxpayer-funded government projects use only U.S.- made goods and supplies wherever possible.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2012

For More Information:
Trevor Fitzgerald, Legislative Aide
(402) 471-2710