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Nebraska, Lancaster County property taxes among highest in study

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By NANCY HICKS and MATT OLBERDING / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Sep 24, 2008 - 06:29:13 pm CDT

Think your property taxes are high? They are, according to a study released Tuesday based on a national survey. 

Nebraska has the second highest average tax bill on homes in the nation, when the tax is measured as a percentage of home values, according to the study by the Tax Foundation.

The state ranks a little lower on other methods of measuring the property tax bite for a home owner, but still in the top 20. 

Story Photo
Houses along South 61st Street in 2007. (LJS File)

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See the state and county lists

Nebraska’s three largest counties also ranked in the top quarter of 788 high population counties in comparisons of property taxes on homes.

Lancaster County ranked 57th on median property taxes paid as a percentage of home value. 

The county’s median home tax bill of $2,716, was 1.9 percent of the median home price of $143,700, based on data collected in 2007. (The median in the halfway point between the highest and lowest tax bills.)

“It’s disturbing but not surprising,” said Omaha state Sen. Tom White about the study.

As an historically agricultural state, owning more land in Nebraska meant you would have more income and could afford to pay more taxes on that property, White said. 

That direct correlation is no longer always true, he said.  

White said his constituents tell him, “If I’m making more money, I can pay more income taxes. If I’m not making as much money, I can stay out of the store (thus avoiding sales taxes). But I’m completely at their mercy on property taxes.”

The study also doesn’t reflect a state property tax credit, which reduced all property taxes, not just on homes,  by about 8 percent. 

Gov. Dave Heineman pointed to that two-year property tax credit, provided by state senators and the governor, as one way to reduce the property tax burden. 

But he also pointed out the responsibility of local elected leaders. 

“Local units of government have to control their spending,” he said. 

“Just as we (state government) held spending to 4.5 percent, local units of government have to control their spending.

Property tax is used to pay for local services; the property tax rates are set by local governments, including school boards, city councils and county boards. About 60 percent of local property taxes goes to help pay for local schools.  

State government relies on income and sales taxes.

Two years ago, White offered a different property tax credit, focused on owner-occupied homes only, but it failed to get out of the Revenue Committee.

White said he is considering several other options to help control property tax growth, including requiring a unified hearing on all property taxes in the county.

The Tax Foundation bills itself as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that monitors fiscal policy at the federal, state and local levels.

Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com. Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.


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The answer.... wrote on September 24, 2008 9:28 am:
" We need to reform education in our state. Nebraska is a great place to live, but its population cannot support 3 state universities and all the other public schools. I am not saying we need to close schools.... all I am saying is we need politicans to get a handle on spending in this state. Otherwise many more people will move b/c property taxes are so high. "

 Macy wrote on September 24, 2008 9:35 am:
" Is anyone shocked by this? Not me - NE is known as the tax-me state and this is just another bit of proof. No wonder retirees are leaving the state for more affordable venues. "

 Perfert time. wrote on September 24, 2008 9:35 am:
" This would be a perfect time to start the Lincoln/Lancaster County consolidation process. Get those spend happy county commissioners out. "

 Taxed wrote on September 24, 2008 9:37 am:
" We need to throw out all of the current office holders who just can't seem to get a handle on spending by these property taxing Nebraska government entities. Start with a clean slate of school board, NRD, county and other local office holders. "

 really wrote on September 24, 2008 9:38 am:
" We as taxpayers already know that our taxes are high. I agree with The Answer... that we need to reform education, however it's not only about our state universities, it's about our K-12 public education. LPS is out of control, if they had to operate in the private sector, they'd bankrupt a company before anyone could blink. Education is important, but not to the extent it has been taken, sheer abuse of the taxpayer dollar. It's time to gain control and regulate spending on all levels of gov't, including the schools. "

 moving away after lifetime wrote on September 24, 2008 9:46 am:
" We have just sold our house of 18 years and are moving to the mid-south. My entire family lives here. We raised our children here. People ask us why we are moving, and my answer......taxes. We purchased the same price property and our taxes here are $3600 a year. Our taxes there? $1250. We are in our early 50's, make more than 100K a year and do not want to go into retirement trying to figure out how to pay $4-500 a year in taxes. "

 Hold your rants... wrote on September 24, 2008 9:52 am:
" Before the anti-tax lynch mob gets here to make the same tired arguments, remember that property taxes are raised and spent by LOCAL government units, not the state. These taxing decisions are made by your friends and neighbors who serve on local boards, not the bogeymen of the Unicameral. Furthermore, maybe, just maybe, the root cause of Nebraska being considered a high-tax state has something to do with the number of local taxing authorities we have per capita? I call that situation absurd, you call it "local control". "

 I agree wrote on September 24, 2008 10:04 am:
" Take a look at your property tax bill: over half goes to the schools. That doesn't count the amount of your income and sales taxes that schools get as part of their state aid. "

 Chris wrote on September 24, 2008 10:05 am:
" Until we are more then just a sate of farmers with their hand out expect more local property taxes. "

 jo gale wrote on September 24, 2008 10:05 am:
" we all pay one way or another if it wasn't property taxes it would be something else. to bad Nebraskans spend millions each year in Iowa Casinos. hint hint. "

 So... wrote on September 24, 2008 10:07 am:
" I wonder what actually makes people want to move here? We all know what makes people want to move that is for sure! How does this state expect people to move when these taxes are so high. Now if we were CO or CA I could see but we are NE! There is not much here to get people to move here. I see people moving from here left and right, we will see this trend with the housing market. How is one suppose to own a house and pay these outrageous taxes? Thanks NE! "

 Dave wrote on September 24, 2008 10:13 am:
" You won't be able to lower property taxes until school districts reduce their costs. Wage & Salary excess isn't just limited to Wall St. When the school board became a puppet of LPS, it forgot citizens interests. Cuts have to be made and technology reduce administration and even number of teachers...just like Heineman is doing with the state employees. Why isn't Foley looking at waste in public schools? "

 Hmmm... wrote on September 24, 2008 10:17 am:
" This is no surprise! People in and around Nebraska have known this for years. Then you add in Lincolns outrageous other taxes, wheel taxes, cigarette taxes, outlandish vehicle licensing, and it doesn't take long to figure out why businesses and people leave this god-forsaken state! "

 The real answer...... wrote on September 24, 2008 10:26 am:
" @ the answer
I agree with what you're saying. The 3 state universities we can't afford. Education at those schools are a joke compared to private schools here in Nebraska. Nebraska Wesleyan ranked #78 and Doane ranked #59 in Forbes as some of the best colleges in American. Princeton being #1. It was based on the quality of the education and how much the students acheived. Yes Wesleyan is $25,000 a year and Doane the same. The money is worth every penny!!! If you want a "degree" go to UNL, if you want an "education" go to Nebraska Wesleyan or Doane. "

 Go For it wrote on September 24, 2008 10:31 am:
" Come one state senators we have a chance to beat Texas out for a top spot in the nation! We need to call a special session to raise property taxes so that we Nebraskans can shout out that WE are #1. "

 Nebraskan wrote on September 24, 2008 10:38 am:
" You also need to note that Nebraska is second behind Texas who does not have any state income tax! "

 Steve wrote on September 24, 2008 10:41 am:
" Ya think our property taxes are high??? And now we have a council member telling us that he is researching a city income tax. I love this city, but what/where is our money going? Last time I took a class at the University, I saw my professor 4 times that year, otherwise a teaching assistant taught my class. If we have to pay them as much as we do, why can't they teach the class. I know, "they're intellectual" (sarcasm). One last point, if you don't think that illegal immigrants don't play into this mess, think again. I know they pay there share of taxes (mostly federal), but not when it comes to additional burden they put of the school system. Just my two cents! "

 joe wrote on September 24, 2008 10:41 am:
" Taxes in this state are out of control. We need to kick out all the Democrats who are running this state and taxing us to death. "

 Comm UnSense wrote on September 24, 2008 10:51 am:
" When you retire and live on a fixed income, you have to look at other states for the tax savings alone. Many states have exemptions for retired people so they no longer have to pay for public education. Nebraska's Homestead Exemption is a joke. If you have enough money to live on, you can't qualify for the exemption. Pretty soon it will be the LPS school board and the government offices - everyone else will be gone. "

 Pat wrote on September 24, 2008 10:54 am:
" I sincerely hope that this isn't surprising to anyone. I had heard previously that a $1M home in Los Angeles has similar taxes to a $150k-$200k home in Lincoln or Omaha. "

 Really wrote on September 24, 2008 11:00 am:
" In other news, water is wet, night time is dark, and gum is chewy. Stay tuned for other studies from the Institute of the Obvious.

If Nebraskans actually got what we paid for, superior schools and above average city, county, and state services, I'd gladly not feel cheated and happily pay. But the schools continue to beg for more money and the products of these schools are no better educated than less taxed areas. The cities, counties and state in general certainly aren't paving my street with gold and in fact rarely can even plow my street in a timely manner.

This is a primary reason after our marriage you'll find 2 more houses in Nebraska for sale and two more college educated professionals leaving "the good life."" "

 Out-of-state wrote on September 24, 2008 11:17 am:
" We would move back to Nebraska if taxes weren't so high. "

 ted wrote on September 24, 2008 11:18 am:
" Wake up! UNL receives NO PROPERTY TAX MONEY! LPS gets 60% of all property taxes, plus atate tax money, plus vehicle registration taxes. This is the big problem. "

 Nina wrote on September 24, 2008 11:22 am:
" No surprise here, but I fail to see what farmers have to do with the price of property tax. Ag property tax is also some of the highest in the nation, for percentage of value, and is raised as regularly as is residential property tax. And for good education, don't forget Midland, Dana, Concordia, Creighton, etc. - also fine church colleges. "

 Scott wrote on September 24, 2008 11:23 am:
" Joe....why do you claim that a blood red republican state would be run by democrats? I honestly don't know how it's divided but that statement seems highly suspect. "

 Joni wrote on September 24, 2008 11:25 am:
" Pat, I know people in CA who pay less on their $millions homes than many of Lincoln's average homes. But then CA bases their assessment on purchase price, not guesstimate market price. There are also more homeowners in CA. But also, the cost per student education in LPS is allot higher. Is it over or approaching $13,000 per student per year? That is more than many fixed income retirees make a year. "

 Funny Nebraskans wrote on September 24, 2008 11:29 am:
" Comparing a million dollar L.A. home to Lincoln/Omaha. That's just like Neal O's cartoon about driving to Omaha to save 30 cents on a package of socks.

Go ahead and move to L.A. and get a bigger house for less taxes!! It's all relative people, but I won't waste time trying to explain it. "

 Knowledge wrote on September 24, 2008 11:29 am:
" We pretested our Lancaster Co. property tax this year and learned some valuable information. #1. The current Lancaster system used by the assessor allows 50% of us to pay below the actual assessed value and 50% above. Depends on which side your property falls in their system but is unfair. Advice: do some checking on the assessors site and look at the homes yours is compared with in their system. You will find homes compared with yours that are assessed less than recent purchase price and homes assessed over recent purchase price in the same block.#2. We seem to place blame on the county commissioners but in reality they have no control or say over the elected assessor. The commissioners were very polite and understanding and lowered the assessors recommendation on our home. Remember this next time the assessor is up for election and also remember not to take your frustrations out on the commissioners at election time. #3. I am just a plain ordinary citizen and have no strings attached to either the assessor or any commissioner that would cloud my blog. "

 GRAD wrote on September 24, 2008 11:33 am:
" Hey Real Answer:

NWU & Doane are ranked in the list of Private Libral Arts Colleges...Princeton is not in that category and is therefore not at the top of that list.

UNL, UNK, UNO, Wayne, Chadron, etc. are all public universities...they would not be on that same list "

 Ralph wrote on September 24, 2008 11:35 am:
" Two of the most Republican states in the Union and each with the highest property taxes? That isn't a coincidence. It is skillful management of politics and shift from federal to state burdens in many entitlement programs, the most important being public education. "

 Not News - Thats The Problem wrote on September 24, 2008 11:39 am:
" This isn't shocking to anyone, and that's what's wrong. Our elected officials have no intent of lowering the tax burden. If you saw the County Board Debates on Monday (that the Journal Star didn't cover) you would have heard Bernie Heier say that he's always done things the same way and that he won't change. He didn't even flinch when his opponent talked about the fact that Heier is railroading through a Jail that's going to cost county taxpayers almost $14,000 a day, every day, for the next 20 years.

Think the County Board is going to offset that cost by cutting spending somewhere else? Think again.

Wake up people - vote for someone new in November. "

 Outside the Box wrote on September 24, 2008 11:40 am:
" moving away after lifetime - I hope that I misread your statement. You'd move 1000 miles away to save $2250 a year in property taxes?

Assuming you find jobs that pay the same and the other costs of living are the same, you'll still likely spend at least $1000 coming back here to visit your "entire family". "

 Jonathan wrote on September 24, 2008 11:47 am:
" I think this has already been said by The answer, but the problem is NE is just too small in population to fund all that it needs to fund. My parents live in a much larger house in TN and pay half of what we pay in taxes here in NE and they don't pay state income taxes either!! Why? Partly because there are 4x as many people living there. Oh yeah, and don't get me started on how much more we pay in car taxes compared to other states. As soon as we can, my family is out of here. "

 to Pat wrote on September 24, 2008 11:52 am:
" The property tax rate in Los Angeles County is 1.25% of the purchase price per year so it would be less for a million dollar home there than it is for a million dollar home here. "

 Kerry wrote on September 24, 2008 11:52 am:
" This a state of Tax and Spend Republicans. They run the institutions around here. Ronald Reagan would be ashamed of ALL of you!!! "

 DBR wrote on September 24, 2008 11:55 am:
" I'm sure our elected officals will fix our number 2 status. Look out Texas, we're coming after you! GO BIG TAXES! "

 I agree with nebraskan wrote on September 24, 2008 12:01 pm:
" I just called a friend of mine who relocated from texas to where I live. He says yes the property tax is high but they have no state income tax. I got out of lancaster co and nebraska six years ago and people ask why. My answer taxes. I also moved to a mid south state where taxes are fair. My tax bill on a 120K house in lincoln was pushing 2400 a year. Here a home valued at 220K cost me 1100 a year. Go figure. Yes, the cars, boats, schools, are cheaper to. No wheel tax. Yes, we have indoor plumbing and have entertainment. Fact, the group Eagles will perform in the local college arena next month. No, its not a metropolitan city. The arena is in a town as small as lincoln or possibly smaller. The arena is one of those, you know, things that J Q Hammons did with his own money. And Yes, if you research some facts you will find this is not the land of rainbows, lollipops, and utopia, but, its a much better way to live than what i had. "

 Gee wrote on September 24, 2008 12:29 pm:
" Do you suppose there's any correlation between this "news" and the fact that Mayflower just announced the Nebraska has the highest percentage of people moving out of the state than any other state in the nation? Go figure! The spending on schools is way out of line! "

 Roger wrote on September 24, 2008 12:30 pm:
" How funny, I posted that LPS needs to have it's budget cut by AT LEAST 1/3 on another article and all of the "it's for the children!" posters came out of the woodwork. Open your eyes people. Vote them out! To make things worse, now one of the school board members wants to be on the County Board. Hide your wallets! "

 Really wrote on September 24, 2008 12:52 pm:
" Tax payers have known this for years. The Lancaster County Assessor has gone bezerk over the last several years and needs to be taken away from this responsibility. This is CRAZY. "

 Buddha wrote on September 24, 2008 12:54 pm:
" That figure from Los Angeles County is 1.25% of the current owner's purchase price. If the home is currently worth $1 million, the tax isn't on that figure, it's on the figure the owner originally bought it. That's why Warren Buffet can afford to keep his home in California, because he bought it in the 1960's dirt cheap, and he pays the same tax every year because it's so small. "

 Lincoln Taxpayer wrote on September 24, 2008 12:57 pm:
" The first question asked of any person running for any public position should be how are you going to cut taxes. If they don't have the right answer forget about them. "

 Funny... wrote on September 24, 2008 1:06 pm:
" Our taxes are way too high yet our roads, education and local government systems are a joke. Where does all of this money go??? "

 GET A GRIP wrote on September 24, 2008 1:12 pm:
" to hold your rants-property taxes are subject to hundreds of unfunded mandates local entities have to pat for but made by the unicameral! property taxes are not all a local issue. do your home work before you open your mouth and get rid of the tax and spend state senATORS. "

 Cost of Living wrote on September 24, 2008 1:29 pm:
" Everyone wants to compare home prices/evaluations in Lincoln to those in California. Wouldn't it also be prudent to compare the overall cost of living then? What size of house do you think you could get in CA for $150 - $200 thousand? I'm not sure you could get a house in CA for this amount. When you factor in the other cost of living comparisons, overall I would assume you are getting a much better deal living in NE than in CA. Look at the larger picture. "

 Calf Homeowner wrote on September 24, 2008 1:38 pm:
" I just moved from San Francisco to Lincoln. Relative to what it costs to live in California, Lincoln is a great bargain. Yes taxes are 1.25% BUT a million dollars will get you a detached 1,000 sf home with no yard and a one car garage. Plus, they do increase taxes based on the purchase value of the house. Granted you can get a better house in outlying suburbs, but expect to spend 3 hours a day commuting to a from work. Add on at least $400 - $1,000 a month tuition for each child, since public schools are dangerous, sub par and overcrowded. $4,000 minimum scrip requirement at private and about $2,500 expected in donations at public schools, wipes out any most family budget. Add $150 per month for music lessons, even more if you want you child to participate in sports. If your child has any learning disabilities add $500 more per month for special ed. $250 a month for parking at work. $4.50 a gallon for gas and $12 bucks for a movie, plus at least $13 to park your car in a garage. Sales tax is 8.25 to 8.75%. Calf also has lots of bridges and toll roads that cost $3.00 - $5.00 to use. Get a parking ticket . . . cough up $250. Babysitters expect $15 an hour. Preschool is $750 a month for 3 days a week. Expect to spend at least $50 for a couple to eat out in a typical restaurant. More for a high end place. If like to participate in marathons you'll spend $90 to enter. Moreover, most people aren't getting paid six figures. Retired. . . rent out a room to offset you costs. Oh yea, renters can get a great studio for $1000 a month, that's without a garage. After living in a variety of places in California over the past 20 years I find Lincoln to be a great deal. "

 Answer my WHY wrote on September 24, 2008 1:38 pm:
" does LPS use public money to build sports fields, buy sports equipment, etc. when academics is guaranteed in the constitution, NOT athletics? "

 Why wrote on September 24, 2008 1:42 pm:
" ...do people comment? I have read comment after comment for months on people complaining about taxes, but our commissions/boards etc approve all of the rate increases (water, electricity, gas, taxes, you name it). If they REALLY DO care there has been enough proof in writing to show how we are disgrunted. But they don't care unless it is for an arena or some other high price item. I for one will not vote anymore for any one in current office. "

 crazy wrote on September 24, 2008 2:03 pm:
" Chris, farmers are what made this state. Everyone thinks that they are making out like bandits because of recent crop prices. Don't forget they have to pay for fuel too! Not to mention pesticides and fertilizer prices have gone through the roof.

We need to branch out into different incomes. The people that say we have to keep our moral values straight and not allow gambling are the same people who drive to South Dakota, Kansas and Iowa to gamble. Look at towns like Denton with Keno. That town is spending that revenue on itself and it shows!

We have very little in tourism revenue but yet we turn down having the college baseball hall of fame in Omaha and almost pass on doing what needs to be done to keep the Series itself. What do we expect?

LPS upper management is out of control. I knew a recent grad who looked for a teaching job in Lincoln but went to Kansas to teach because they pay more. Just don't lump all Nebraska schools in with LPS. Want to see a school that seriously needs help, go to Raymond Central. Just because you don't have a kid in the schools doesn't mean you shouldn't want to invest in the future.

I still love living here. Maybe all these opinions should be directed to our elected officials. "

 col wrote on September 24, 2008 2:19 pm:
" think the cost of living is low in lincoln? you're right! "

 Troy at UNL wrote on September 24, 2008 2:50 pm:
" And people here at the university and in the state government wonder why people leave Nebraska when the get their degrees. I for one plan on leaving in two years when I get my Ph.D. All i have to say to NE is thanks for the education, now I'm going to go somewhere where I can keep the money I earn. Why would I stay here when I can take my education (and tax dollars) somewhere else. I hope that the Somali immigrants in Grand Island can make up for it. "

 parent wrote on September 24, 2008 3:12 pm:
" If LPS is getting 60% of our tax money, why are our teachers pay one of the lowest in the country? Our schools are over crowded and run down. We are WAY behind in technology from other school districts in the country. Where is the disconnect? "

 Stranger wrote on September 24, 2008 3:46 pm:
" Mdeidan real estae property taxes paid for housing unites with morgates (A) and no mortgate (B) in 2005. Cities were randomly selected. The numbers are from www.city-data.com

Eugene, OR - A: 1.2%, B:1.3%
Knoxville, TN - A:0.9%, B:1.1%
Kansas City, MO - A: 1.1% B:1.1%
Des Moines, IA - A: 1.6%, B:1.7%
Sioux Falls, SD - A:1.4%, B:1.5%
Minneapolis, MN - A:0.8%, B:1.0%
Columbia, MO - A: 0.9%, B:0.9%
Colorado Springs, CO - A:0.4%, B:0.4%
Oklahoma City, OK - A:0.9%, B:0.8%
Rexingon, KY - A:0.8%, B:0.7%
Omaha, NE - A:1.7%, B:1.7%
Lincoln, NE - A:1.8%, B:1.9% "

 TexasHusker wrote on September 24, 2008 4:24 pm:
" I am from Lincoln but have lived in Fort Worth for almost 5 years now. I'll agree with what most of you are saying about education but there's another huge reason why you're taxes are so high and nobody has mentioned that. Nebraska doesn't have the things other states have that generate income like tourism or big corporations feeding money into the state. Here's a solution that is guaranteed to lower your taxes. LEGALIZE GAMBLING. Quit letting millions go across the river to pay for Iowa's budget. It has to be done. My wife wants to move back but I refuse and income is the main reason. The cost of living is too high, not enough jobs to go around and the weather sucks. The people are great but it's tough to live there and live well. Legalize gambling and it WILL fill that big void in the state of generating income and it WILL lower your taxes. "

 You people do realize... wrote on September 24, 2008 4:33 pm:
" that property taxes are controlled by the local government and not the State government right? So stop saying "the most red state but the highest taxes". Simply not true. People term after term continue to vote dems for local gov't and they wonder why taxes are so high! get a clue people. "

 our nrd wrote on September 24, 2008 5:15 pm:
" Our nrd just doubled their mil levy to pay irrigators not to irrigate pivot corners ($1000 an acre). A farm recently sold for $750,000 with buildings and the works and the property taxes were only $3500. Quite a difference from what we pay on our old houses. "

 Stuck in Nebraska wrote on September 24, 2008 5:53 pm:
" I had a 3br/2ba house (2000 sq. ft) and 2 1/2 acres of land in Georgia before I moved here (app. value $160,000) in a small county. My tax bill was $700.00 per year. Yeah, I'd say taxes are too high here. "

 Chris wrote on September 24, 2008 6:17 pm:
" The Study is flawed.

Nebraska has relatively low property values, yet attempts to pay the same wages to employees. High rates are inevitable.

A better study would be to compare Dollar amounts of property taxes to income, which would an include an element regarding to the ability to pay taxes.

Further, Nebraska has a sparser population which will result in higher tax rates.

Of course, everyone will complain ad nauseum about the high taxes. They don't know what they are talking about because they are viewing the issue with the wrong frame of reference. "

 Chris wrote on September 24, 2008 6:25 pm:
" Calf Homeowner:

Thank you. No one will read what you wrote, or take it to heart, but they should. People in Lincoln have no idea what they have here. Go ahead and move to the "middle south". Schools are infinitely better here, among many other quality of life indicators. People are too busy complaining to realize this community is a bargain. Even Omaha pays nearly 50% more in property tax rates than Lincoln, and their valuation is only marginally lower. "

 gale wrote on September 24, 2008 6:28 pm:
" to joe


great point, i love the sarcasm unfortunately the brain washed Ditto Heads won't get it. "

 julia wrote on September 24, 2008 7:11 pm:
" Nebraska needs to expand its sales tax base to include tax on services, real estate commissions, lawyer fees, advertising fees, etc. (exempting medical expenses). Most states tax these high dollar services. Nebraska does tax services for the little guy, like haircuts, dry cleaning and the car wash, but the lobbyists have successfully kept the high dollar services from the sales tax. The "little guy" is tapped out. "

 Dana wrote on September 24, 2008 9:17 pm:
" I am so tired of the state pointing a finger at local government. I remember the Johanns days - and I'm a Republican - it was "I reduced state spending." No you did not. You transferred programs to local government, leaving them to decide what to fund. Look at mental health services, look at "public safety" , look at all the things that over the years the state passes down. And then they make arrangements and agreements to pay local government for services and then say "we can't". It just takes a common sense approach to all of this. We do not have children and I don't mind paying my share for schools. That is responsible and needs to happen but it's gotten out of hand. WHERE is the accountability in the school budget??????? Let's all start getting involved and paying attention and ASKING THE QUESTIONS. "

 whatever wrote on September 24, 2008 9:33 pm:
" Actually let's all stop pointing fingers and asking questions, those days are over. Vote out anyone who doesn't "get it" immediately. Other options are to demand resignations and force recall at a relentless pace. Make life so difficult for members of say the LPS School Board that they can't stand it any more. Picket outside their homes, call them day and night and do the same for anyone running for said office. Make sure these people understand who they work for. "

 Julie wrote on September 24, 2008 9:35 pm:
" This is addressed to "Not News". The current incumbents will be voted back in. Trust me - Nebraskans wanted term limits in various venues because they CANNOT mark the ballot for someone eles. Heier and Hudkins WILL be voted back in. Nebraskans CANNOT vote against the current office holder. They cannot. That's why you will see term limit legislation expanded. We complain and we wail but we CANNOT vote for anyone other than the incumbent. We CAN'T. "

 Tired of LPS nay sayers wrote on September 24, 2008 9:48 pm:
" I don't want my tax dollars to go to a new county jail but I didn't have a say to that. I don't mind my tax dollars education children so then they learn that commiting crimes is bad, thus they wouldn't be in a jail! However, I did have a say in that decision and I'm so glad I voted for that school bond because if I didn't then perhaps some of YOUR children would be the first inmates of the new county jail. How's that food for thought?! "

 Orey K wrote on September 25, 2008 4:37 am:
" I don't mind paying higher taxes. But I do expect the grass to be cut in the parks, not letting it go "el natural", The shabby condition of the city is embarrassing! "

 Couldnt be more red wrote on September 25, 2008 6:01 am:
" I'm tired of all these high taxes, we need to vote the republicans out of office!!!!! "

 the problem is wrote on September 25, 2008 6:13 am:
" That LPS CAN operate onhalf the of budgeted money we give them each year. I know that towards tehend of teh year they start spending money like crazy so they can justify there inflated budget for thenext year. So there is your food for thought "

 Reality Check wrote on September 25, 2008 7:53 am:
" The one thing people have to keep in mind is that the money to pay the government in a very loosely populated state has to come from somewhere. No one wants to pay for any type of government funding, yet everyone wants the government to provide everything for them. We vote down gambling, we gripe about the arena, we continue to vote in the same officials that keep dragstrips out and almost lose the College World Series. Well, guess what? Without people bringing money in from other states, the only money to pay the government for the roads, schools, etc is from your tax dollars. Since property values are pretty much the only thing that homeowners can't cut back on... The reality is that the only way to keep from having to pay more taxes is to have more money coming into the state from outside sources. That means more big business and more tourist-style resourses. Here's the catch, however. In order to build infrastructure for big businesses (i.e. Innovation Park) or tourist-type attractions (i.e. the Big Bad Arena Proposal) we are going to have cough it up and pay for it for a few years, looking to make the future better than the today. Either that, or all that will be left will truly fit the stereotype that is Nebraska and the Midwest. Its just too bad no one on here will listen unless they're views are being supported and expanded. "

 How dumb wrote on September 25, 2008 11:00 am:
" First of all, property taxes are made on the city/county level not the state level. Taxes are not determined by the state. The amount of money you pay for property taxes is based on the value of your house x a percentage. That percentage is made up of bonds voted in by the community (ie the bond for schools 2 years ago that was passed), and an alotment determined by county commissioners and city officials. "

 Cmon wrote on September 25, 2008 2:47 pm:
" Somebody has to have the highest taxes. What you are saving in housing costs compared to other places more than makes up for the taxes. What a bunch of complainers. "

 Ned wrote on September 25, 2008 3:50 pm:
" I took the easy way out by moving a couple miles outside of Lancaster to Eagle, in Cass county. "

 Stingier wrote on September 25, 2008 5:15 pm:
" I'm not voting for any more LPS bond issues until school administrators and the school board show some sort of effort at cost containment. I think my city and county taxes are a good value, but LPS is like a financial black hole. I've voted for every school bond issue here for more than 30 years because quality communities need quality schools, but I'm stretched to the breaking point and need to see some innovative and/or effective cost-cutting measures. I also like Ken Haar's proposal to give every homowner a $15,000 homestead exemption. "

 Cali V. Nebr wrote on September 25, 2008 7:34 pm:
" I understand it costs significantly more to live in California, but you also have to look at pay as well, so you can compare apples to apples.
I am an RN, and I make about $45K a year here in Nebraska, in California I had a job offer at $98K.
Plus, you also have to factor in where you are living, Ocean vs prarie, things to do vs nothing to do.
A lot of people go to California every year for vaction, Nebraska is not at the top of the vaction destination list. "

 To Cal v. Nebr wrote on September 25, 2008 10:32 pm:
" Initially, I thought that $98 would be a little low to have the same standard of living in Calf that you have here in Lincoln, but the cost of living calculators put you at the same standard of living as making 47,880 in Lincoln. I can pretty much guarantee that making $98,000 would get you a house in a neighborhood where you wouldn't want to walk out your door at night. In the SF only 8% of the population own their own homes. In the greater Bay area it doesn't even reach 40%. When I moved here from Calf I stayed with my company in the same job. My salary was adjusted for cost of living. I almost had a heartattack when I saw how much I was losing, but after being here I feel like I got a huge promotion. There's a lot to do here in Lincoln. We've got one of the most state of the art planatariums in the nation, fantastic bike paths, popular performers at Lied. The Omaha Zoo is one of the top 10 in the nation. We are getting some high quality restaurants in town. The Zoo Baris known through out the nation. What about Grateful Bread? Best soups I've tasted anywhere. We have beautiful neighborhoods. Cool boutiques all over Lincoln (have to look though). The capital is known for beautiful architecture. If you haven't taken a tour you are missing a stop tour books are designed for. Taxes aren't cheap, and perhaps some officials need to be replaced. But I disagree that Lincoln has nothing to offer. I would love to hear the comments from people who say they are leaving 6 months after the have relocated. I'd be interested to see if I'm just an oddball who enjoys and appreciates the wrong things in a community. "

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