LINCOLN, Nebraska (WOWT) – Day 16 was a short day for the state’s senators in the unicameral legislature.

On Monday, they returned for roll call and then adjourned. They will return on Tuesday to debate LB34, which passed Friday afternoon by a vote of 39-8 in the second round after a few revisions to the bill. If senators pass the bill at that time, it will go to Gov. Jim Pillen’s desk.

But last week, Governor Jim Pillen announced he would veto any version of the tax reform bill that “waters down” the caps included in the original bill.

“This law allowed property tax revenues to grow at zero percent or inflation, whichever amount is greaterand included common-sense exceptions for investments in law enforcement and public safety necessary to keep our communities safe,” Pillen said in his statement last week. “…Further compromises would fall short of the minimum expectations Nebrasians have of the Legislature for this special session.”

The current version of LB34 simplifies the tax credit that Nebraskans are already eligible for and limits how much cities, counties and villages can raise property taxes by indexing them to inflation. However, the bill allows these entities to exceed the cap in emergency situations and for public safety agencies, public defenders and district attorneys.

Senators also approved an amendment on Friday that would allow special elections in odd-numbered years to lift caps on county and municipal property tax revenues.

Some of them also expressed their frustration with the conduct of the special session.

“The property tax debate today is about big corporations and people from other cities who own property,” said Senator Justin Wayne of Omaha during the debate Friday. “It doesn’t help Mary in Florence, and that’s the reality.”

State Senator Terrell McKinney of Omaha said the bill “just needs to die” so senators can reconvene in January and spend more time sorting out the complex issue.

But Senator Tom Brewer of Gordon said it would be a shame if the session didn’t make any progress, while State Senator Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn said lawmakers had at least made some “minimal” progress, even if the impact wasn’t as significant as many had hoped.

Pillen recalled the senators this summer after the property tax relief package failed in Parliament during the spring session.

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