Nebraskans will see gas tax hike after legislature overturns governor’s veto
By Sophie Tatum, Nebraska News Service
LINCOLN--State senators overturned the Governor's veto on a bill that will increase gas taxes for Nebraskans Thursday.
LB 610, introduced by Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion, is intended to create a fund to mend Nebraska's infrastructure, specifically roads and bridges.
"The funding needs are massive and our communities are desperate for our help and we need to offer that help now," Smith said.
The bill will raise total gas taxes 31.6 cents per gallon over a period of four years, creating an additional fund of $25 million annually for the state and $51 million for cities and counties.
"When I travel the state, Nebraskans tell me that they need tax relief, not tax increases," Gov. Pete Ricketts said in a statement. "Our state already has the 13th highest property taxes, the 15th highest income taxes, and this tax hike makes our gas tax rate the 16th highest in the nation."
The bill passed with 30 votes in favor (30-16), the exact number needed to overturn the Governor's veto.
"It's never a good tax policy to raise taxes," said Sen. Beau McCoy of Omaha who opposed the override.
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Contact Sophie Tatum at nns.statum@gmail.com