SIDNEY (February 23, 2024) -- The question of how to reduce the property tax burden in Nebraska is valid, but the answer is concerning, according to Nebraska Chamber of Commerce.

Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Korby Gilbertson of Radcliffe & Associates law firm were speakers on a Zoom meeting regarding the proposed EPIC tax option today.

"We've had lots of requests over the last several weeks and months from people wanting to know more about the EPIC proposal, what it does and doesn't do as that ballot initiative begins. We have a position at the State Chamber opposed to that initiative, and we wanted to give all of you a little more background in terms of what we view as the issues in this. Let me start out by saying none of this has to do with whether we need to continue to have further tax modernization in Nebraska or whether property taxes are high. That's a given. The question is this is a solution, and is it even workable," Slone said.

Slone and Korby Gilbertson, a partner with Radcliffe & Associates, explained the initiative and their concerns. Gilbertson encouraged voters to watch details as presented, and not rely on what-ifs.

"I think the biggest confusion with the EPIC proposal is the difference between what is going to be in front of voters, and what is being explained to all of you by the proponents. I think it's really important that we focus on what is actually in front of us, and not 'we hope this is what's going to happen,' or 'you know, if everything falls into place, this is what will happen'," Gilbertson said.

Gilbertson stressed voters need to understand what the ballot language says and not what is being said on the streets. She said the only thing that is in front of voters is the ballot language. 

The Zoom conference included several questions from participants, including if personal services like child care would be taxed under EPIC.

"There are a couple of questions that popped up; no. 1, would child costs be taxed? Yes, they would," Gilbertson said. 

She was asked if redistributing taxes would result in more discretionary income and thus a boost in the economy. She said that is based on LB 79, which is sitting in the legislature and not picked as a priority by anyone and will not pass this year.

"They cannot claim that any of that is accurate. Because, they, in that bill, think the rate will be 7 1/2 percent. They think that there will be business to business exemptions. They think there will be other exemptions. But when you read the plain language of the constitution, it's simply not true," she said.