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| Senator Tom Carlson- Dist.38 |
Legislative Newsletter
Last week I indicated I would report on the Governor’s tax package. The two bills were heard in front of the Revenue Committee on separate days and were among the longest in legislative history. Testimony on LB’s 405 and 406 lasted nearly 14 hours.
LB 405, which would eliminate Nebraska’s individual and corporate income taxes in exchange for increased sales taxes, lasted 10 hours. Over 50 opponents spoke out both days, while very few supporters testified in support. LB 405 and 406 both appear to shift a large tax burden to agriculture, ag related businesses and most manufacturing businesses.
If you haven’t already checked it out, figure how much in sales tax you would have paid for inputs, including machinery purchases, and energy to apply the inputs. Compare these figures to state income taxes you would not pay. This will inform you about the effect of LB 405 and LB 406 on your operation.
Today I will introduce LB 517 in front of the Natural Resources Committee. This bill would create the Water Sustainability Project Task Force. The group would consist of 22 voting members. They would be charged with making recommendations to beneficial use of Nebraska’s water resources through research and data gathering, conjunctive management of water, improving existing infrastructure, and providing information to policymakers to justify a stable source of project funds for the next twenty years. The work of the task force would be completed by December 31, 2013.
The task force will forward a report to the Legislature by January 31, 2014. It will be a short period to gather information and formulate a listing of programs, projects, and activities in each river basin of the state. I believe LB 517 is a step in the right direction for a comprehensive, twenty-year state water policy.
Proper management of our water resources is absolutely essential for agriculture today and agriculture for many generations into the future as we fulfill our mission to feed the world.
A bill introduced in the Agriculture Committee by its chairman, Senator Schilz of Ogallala, would create an interest free loan program for counties deemed “livestock friendly.” LB 550 would allow those counties to borrow money at no cost to build roads, bridges, and other infrastructure used to haul livestock. The loans would have to be repaid within five years. Twenty one counties are presently designated livestock friendly by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
If you haven’t already checked it out, figure how much in sales tax you would have paid for inputs, including machinery purchases, and energy to apply the inputs. Compare these figures to state income taxes you would not pay. This will inform you about the effect of LB 405 and LB 406 on your operation.
Today I will introduce LB 517 in front of the Natural Resources Committee. This bill would create the Water Sustainability Project Task Force. The group would consist of 22 voting members. They would be charged with making recommendations to beneficial use of Nebraska’s water resources through research and data gathering, conjunctive management of water, improving existing infrastructure, and providing information to policymakers to justify a stable source of project funds for the next twenty years. The work of the task force would be completed by December 31, 2013.
The task force will forward a report to the Legislature by January 31, 2014. It will be a short period to gather information and formulate a listing of programs, projects, and activities in each river basin of the state. I believe LB 517 is a step in the right direction for a comprehensive, twenty-year state water policy.
Proper management of our water resources is absolutely essential for agriculture today and agriculture for many generations into the future as we fulfill our mission to feed the world.
A bill introduced in the Agriculture Committee by its chairman, Senator Schilz of Ogallala, would create an interest free loan program for counties deemed “livestock friendly.” LB 550 would allow those counties to borrow money at no cost to build roads, bridges, and other infrastructure used to haul livestock. The loans would have to be repaid within five years. Twenty one counties are presently designated livestock friendly by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
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