Are the State’s Coffers Really Flush? Is a Tax Cut Sustainable? As if propping up the school aid formula to historic proportions wasn’t enough, the new governor appears to be getting his way in the Legislature with a package of tax changes that could cost the state more than $3 billion over the next six years. The plan would increase Nebraska’s two property tax credit programs, cap school property tax growth and eliminate almost all community college property taxes.

This week in the Legislature we have taken up the budget debate. Our rules say that during the 90-day first session, the debate must begin by the seventieth legislative day (May 2). My first year in legislature (2017) we began the session with a shortfall of $1 billion. In my first year we passed an $8.4B biennium budget. This year the two-year package we are debating will be about $10.4B. This year’s budget represents a 2.3% increase over the last biennium budget.

Long Pine City Councilmen Linda Alberts, Andrea Collatos and David Cheatum were present for the Thursday, May 4th regular meeting. Absent was Kelsey Carroll, who later in the meeting had her resignation accepted since she has moved from the area.

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During the regular meeting of the Brown County Commissioners on May 2nd, Judy Walters, Veteran Service Committee member, said her committee is recommending the appointment of Jake Graff as the new Veteran’s Service Officer.

The Ainsworth Lions Club hosted the 55th Annual A.H.S. All Sports Tailgate Party on Tuesday, April 25th in McAndrew Gymnasium to honor this year’s athletes.