I spent much of last week in Lincoln discussing interim study schedules and meeting with colleagues regarding priority legislation for the next session. On Thursday, the Governor invited me to be a part of a housing affordability panel held at Creighton University, where we were joined by U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Scott Turner, to discuss ways to help solve the affordability problem.

Affordable housing is one of the greatest impediments to growing our rural population (and our tax base). In North Platte, significant growth in housing projects began once they started using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to help offset some of the upfront costs of developing lots and driving down the ultimate sales price or rental costs. With TIF, the developer funds the TIF bond, pays the increased taxes on improvements they build to repay the bonds, and takes all the risk on the bond repayment. No existing taxes are removed from the tax rolls, and the tax revenues from building materials and construction jobs go to the local economy. This has proven to be a huge benefit to growing the permanent tax base and providing affordable housing for the workforce.

New housing benefits the whole housing market. As new houses are built, more existing houses also go on the market, allowing more affordable housing in the mix. The price inflation of new housing has been greater than that of existing housing, which creates the need for incentives for new housing. In the end, it is all about keeping the final cost of new housing in line with the incomes in the area. It was a great panel and a unique setting to help the HUD Secretary hear firsthand the housing challenges facing rural America. These contacts and touch points are invaluable.

I then started my Memorial Day weekend by celebrating the life of Tom Witt in Thedford. Among Tom’s many accomplishments was his service in the Air Force, where he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, and Marksmanship Medal. Tom’s military service included several moves for his young family, including a station in Germany. It was a good reminder of the sacrifices our military men and women make to protect the freedoms we hold dear. His spirit of service lived on after his time in the military, and I know Tom will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and community.

Although many of us associate Memorial Day with the start of summer and as a welcome long weekend, it is vital that we also remember the true purpose of Memorial Day – honoring those who have died while serving in our military. I don’t really know where to begin when it comes to honoring our veterans, especially those who make the ultimate sacrifice. There are many high-risk professions – law enforcement, firefighters, and corrections workers certainly among them – but there is something about veterans that has always gotten my attention.

In the Legislature, I try to do all I can to help our veterans. Maintaining and expanding the homestead exemption is one way to lower housing costs for veterans. The Homestead Exemption reduces the property tax bill for recipients, but counties are fully reimbursed by the State for the local costs. Finding room in the budget to do more has been difficult, but it is high on the list of priorities. Today, the cost to the State for all homestead exemptions is nearly $150 million annually. Our first priority goes to veterans who have survived but now live with disabilities. They are a constant reminder to us of the sacrifices veterans make.

As we fire up our barbeques and spend time with our families, let us also remember the reason for the holiday and take a few moments to give thanks to those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom. There is no way we can adequately show our thanks. But we do our best to do what we can.

It is a privilege to represent you in the Nebraska Legislature, and I look forward to hearing from you regarding issues that are important to you. I can be reached at 402-471-2729 or by emailing me at mjacobson@leg.ne.gov.