Governor Hawks Tax Cuts, Increased School Funding in Address

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen delivered his first State of the State address in the state Capitol on Wednesday, spelling out plans to drastically cut taxes while increasing funding to state schools.

What we do with the peoples money this session is critical for my grandbabies, and yours, and the generations to come, the Republican governor said in an address before the Nebraska Legislature. We all agree we are taxed way too much. Our tax policy chases our kids and grandparents out of the state. We cant grow Nebraska that way.

Pillen reiterated his plans announced earlier this month to increase K-12 public education funding by more than $2 billion over the next six years while cutting income and property taxes amounting to billions more through 2027.

Pillen's proposed two-year budget would hold annual growth to just 1.3%, increasing spending by $164.6 million next fiscal year over the current year, and keeping the budget nearly flat the following 2024-25 fiscal year with a proposed $500,000 increase. Nebraskas annual budget is about $4.5 billion.