Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The special Session on property tax is open Thursday. Several
bills have been introduced, and now today they start their
first full week, and we're joined for a few minutes
by Governor Jim Pillen. Governor, good morning, go to have
you back.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Good morning, thanks for having me on. I hope everybody's
doing great today.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Yeah, well you too. And this is one of those
occasions where what if something like one hundred different bills
have been introduced and a lot of people who have
something to say about this, namely senators, are opposed to
your plan. So how do you begin this process and
(00:38):
what is your role given the fact that all the
action has to happen on the floor of the legislature.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
But you know, my role is no different than from
the day that I was sworn in to have the
privilegious service Governor. I'm working hard to be partners with
all members of the Unit Caramel and having constant engagement conversations. Obviously,
I don't as governor, I don't walk in and I
(01:07):
don't run the Unit Cameral. I have one hundred percent
confidence in all the members of the Unit Cameral, everybody,
everybody that serves the citizens of Nebraska have promised to
fix property tax. My job is to encourage we put
forth a plan. There's going to be debate, there's tons
(01:28):
of support. My favorite saying is, don't listen to all
the games in the theatrics. Don't listen to what people say,
watch what they do. It's critical that we fix fix
this crisis. And I have one hundred percent confidence, so
we'll get it done.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Okay. Your bill LB one, which is introduced by Senator Lenahan, Jim,
is essentially a reflection of what you sort of talked
about in the week or two prior to the session.
But let me get confirmation from you that this is
not a take it or leave it plan, that you're
open to compromise. The question becomes, what's your mendos align?
(02:05):
What must you have in any compromise?
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (02:08):
You know what? I tell you what, Jim? I Uh,
I've learned a couple of things in life. You never
you you never play your cards. Uh, and I'm sure
as hell not going to do that now. Uh. It's
going to be really really important. It's going to be
really important that we fix the crisis. Uh. Yeah, there's
(02:30):
there's there's gonna be things that I'll go with it.
I don't like, but but we have to fix this crisis. Uh.
And we're going to continue to keep working UH. And
I'm not going to give up. We'll keep pushing hard
uh and UH and then come with something that's going
to work. Obviously, Uh. Obviously there's lots of thoughts. If
(02:51):
there's been over a hundred bills introduced, I think that's awesome.
That's how the process is supposed to work. We've been working.
We've got a really good hand. I've been before the
people for over three years. I've been before more people.
If there's anyone in the state that's been before more,
I'd like to know who it is. This is a crisis.
It's killing poor people, it's killing every middle class Nebraska,
(03:17):
and we have to solve the crisis. My job as
governor is to make sure we grow Nebraska. And when
you have one of the highest property taxes in the
United States of America, it's very, very difficult to grow.
We have countless people that are leaving every day because
they can't afford property taxes. We have no idea how
(03:39):
many people are not coming in because they go online
and they just say, oh, what are you kidding me?
No thanks. We have to get it fixed.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Okay, let me get clarification from you on LB one
because the Nebraska Examiner says that there is nothing in
LB one. I have not read the bills. That's why
I'm asking that reduces property tax rates to zero in
three years, which is one of the things you've talked about.
Is that sull or is that an amendment that is
(04:08):
to come because Janet Hughes bill, the Senator from Seward
lower is the levee over ten years. Where is your
bill on lowering the levee to zero?
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Yeah? Our bill, our bill is phased into the lower
to the levee to zero in three years. The thing
that is in the bill would be that all schools,
all school districts have the ability to do whatever they
want with their buildings, the assets. That piece of property
(04:41):
tax will stay on. If you have a school district
that is bonded and has a new school, that piece
of the property tax will be on. If you have
a district that your school is paid for and you
don't have anything bonded, you'll go to zero. So it
depends this bill would be take over funding and do
(05:02):
one hundred percent support for funding for K twelve education.
As I have said over and over again when this
calling happened, when I found out that one hundred and
eighty of the two hundred and forty four school districts
virtually not a dime came from the state, it's our
responsibility to educate our children. So that's what it is.
(05:23):
We provide the funding to take care of operations, support
superintendent's strength and education. There's challenges in educating our children.
There's incredible needs, and we the state have to do it,
not on the backs of property taxpayers.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Well.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
As a friend of mine eventor tweeted, he said, all
I know as many old retired folks who've paid for
their homes but are on fixed incomes are forced to
sell because of the combination of property taxes, insurance, and utilities.
It's no joke, it's real. I've seen it happen firsthand
in my neighborhood right. And one of the problems I
(06:01):
think is any points this out in his text to me.
This should not be a partisan issue, and I don't
understand why it is. You've got the almost school board
is about to hold forth in opposition to your plan.
The education lobby is just terrified of it, and they've
got a lot of power. Don't the league municipalities there
(06:22):
against you?
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Well, I think that one of the things that every
all I know is every property taxpayer ninety percent or
in support of it, when you know, it's not fun
telling people we got to stop spending money. But that's
what we have to do. We have to get competitive
as a state. All I know is is, hey, I
(06:45):
talked to five I talked to five retired couples last night.
The story is the same over and over again. Yes,
you talked to middle class folks that say, we're going
to have to move out of our home. It's time
that we fix the crisis, and we will come together.
(07:06):
There is bipartisan support. There are people that believe and
know every senator knows we have a property tax crisis.
Some just simply believe that tax credits for the poor
the solution. No, we have to have property tax price
assault for all Nebraskans, and that's what we'll get done.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
And of course I suspect that nothing happens unless there
is some kind of mechanism, legislative mechanism that limits the
amount that local districts can collect every year. Because you
can you can throw all sorts of money jim at
the problem one year, but if the valuation goes up
thirty percent next year, like it did in a lot
of Omaha neighborhoods and Lincoln neighborhoods, it doesn't matter. You
(07:48):
lose it all. It's like sand in the ocean.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
That's that's why we have to have the caps. And
I know that some mayors are coming out the hardcore
reality hard cap zero or CPS. What that means is
really simple, if people would just take the time to
think about it. Everybody says, hey, we're okay with three percent, Well,
I know you are. The point is is we're going
to go into deflation like we did after the Obama administration.
(08:14):
We went through the Great Recession. At that time, we
had three percent deflation, and yet our governments grew by
five percent. That means it's eight percent. So hardcap zero
or CPI means that when we go into three percent deflation,
hardcap is zero, you get the same amount you did
the year before. Well that means is is that you've
(08:36):
got three percent more money, and that nobody needs more
than that for crying out loud, So these are easy.
This is really simple. People are saying you can't do
all this. Well, Number one, there's no time limits on
a special session. Number two, this is really simple.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
Are the doorful?
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Yeah? Well, I mean the people we have we have
work to do. Everybody that's elected got to because they
promised to fixed property taxes. I have one hundred percent conference.
We'll come together and get that done. This is simple.
This plan is straightforward. We'll come together and be able
to make it happen.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
One more, got to get your take on what I
thought was a hit piece from the Lincoln Journal Star
that said that Jim Pillon it was only behind this
because his landholdings in Nebraska will yield him a seven
hundred and fifty thousand dollars decrease in his property taxes.
What the story didn't tell is how much you pay
in property taxes right now every year? Would you care
to drop that number?
Speaker 2 (09:35):
You know, you know, we we we're I've been I'm
here because I love Nebraska and the people in Nebraska.
I'm I'm humbled, and you know, I'm a blessed guy.
We we we we got more than we desorber in
a hundred lifetimes. But I've been blessed to have incredible
(09:58):
member mentors. I've been blessed to work with incredible Nebraskans
and we've worked hard. And I'm sure not going to
apologize for being successful the America. That's what we're all about,
the American dream, working hard, and I'm no different than
countless other Nebraskans across this incredible state in all ninety
(10:18):
three counties that have taken risk, been entrepreneurial and keep
working hard to create opportunities for people. I think just
to be calling it square, Yeah, that dings you when
somebody makes accusations like that. I'm here for Nebraska. I
don't play politics. I'm here to do what's best for
(10:39):
the people in Nebraska. And all I know is I'm
not going to stop because we have to grow our state.
I'm not going to stop because we got young people
losing the hope to on your own home for trying
out loud. And I'm not going to stop because of
the countless Nebraskans that are saying I paid for my home.
I've raised my family here. I love this place, but
(11:00):
now I can't afford to stay in the home I
already paid for. Uh, We're going to get it done.
And we won't. We won't give up until we get there.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Yeah, we got a roll. Good to have you on always.
Thanks Hey, thanks for having me. You guys have a
great day too. Unlets's you got it. Let's stay in touch.
Governor Jim Pellen
The special Session on property tax is open Thursday. Several
bills have been introduced, and now today they start their
first full week, and we're joined for a few minutes
by Governor Jim Pillen. Governor, good morning, go to have
you back.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Good morning, thanks for having me on. I hope everybody's
doing great today.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Yeah, well you too. And this is one of those
occasions where what if something like one hundred different bills
have been introduced and a lot of people who have
something to say about this, namely senators, are opposed to
your plan. So how do you begin this process and
(00:38):
what is your role given the fact that all the
action has to happen on the floor of the legislature.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
But you know, my role is no different than from
the day that I was sworn in to have the
privilegious service Governor. I'm working hard to be partners with
all members of the Unit Caramel and having constant engagement conversations. Obviously,
I don't as governor, I don't walk in and I
(01:07):
don't run the Unit Cameral. I have one hundred percent
confidence in all the members of the Unit Cameral, everybody,
everybody that serves the citizens of Nebraska have promised to
fix property tax. My job is to encourage we put
forth a plan. There's going to be debate, there's tons
(01:28):
of support. My favorite saying is, don't listen to all
the games in the theatrics. Don't listen to what people say,
watch what they do. It's critical that we fix fix
this crisis. And I have one hundred percent confidence, so
we'll get it done.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Okay. Your bill LB one, which is introduced by Senator Lenahan, Jim,
is essentially a reflection of what you sort of talked
about in the week or two prior to the session.
But let me get confirmation from you that this is
not a take it or leave it plan, that you're
open to compromise. The question becomes, what's your mendos align?
(02:05):
What must you have in any compromise?
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (02:08):
You know what? I tell you what, Jim? I Uh,
I've learned a couple of things in life. You never
you you never play your cards. Uh, and I'm sure
as hell not going to do that now. Uh. It's
going to be really really important. It's going to be
really important that we fix the crisis. Uh. Yeah, there's
(02:30):
there's there's gonna be things that I'll go with it.
I don't like, but but we have to fix this crisis. Uh.
And we're going to continue to keep working UH. And
I'm not going to give up. We'll keep pushing hard
uh and UH and then come with something that's going
to work. Obviously, Uh. Obviously there's lots of thoughts. If
(02:51):
there's been over a hundred bills introduced, I think that's awesome.
That's how the process is supposed to work. We've been working.
We've got a really good hand. I've been before the
people for over three years. I've been before more people.
If there's anyone in the state that's been before more,
I'd like to know who it is. This is a crisis.
It's killing poor people, it's killing every middle class Nebraska,
(03:17):
and we have to solve the crisis. My job as
governor is to make sure we grow Nebraska. And when
you have one of the highest property taxes in the
United States of America, it's very, very difficult to grow.
We have countless people that are leaving every day because
they can't afford property taxes. We have no idea how
(03:39):
many people are not coming in because they go online
and they just say, oh, what are you kidding me?
No thanks. We have to get it fixed.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
Okay, let me get clarification from you on LB one
because the Nebraska Examiner says that there is nothing in
LB one. I have not read the bills. That's why
I'm asking that reduces property tax rates to zero in
three years, which is one of the things you've talked about.
Is that sull or is that an amendment that is
(04:08):
to come because Janet Hughes bill, the Senator from Seward
lower is the levee over ten years. Where is your
bill on lowering the levee to zero?
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Yeah? Our bill, our bill is phased into the lower
to the levee to zero in three years. The thing
that is in the bill would be that all schools,
all school districts have the ability to do whatever they
want with their buildings, the assets. That piece of property
(04:41):
tax will stay on. If you have a school district
that is bonded and has a new school, that piece
of the property tax will be on. If you have
a district that your school is paid for and you
don't have anything bonded, you'll go to zero. So it
depends this bill would be take over funding and do
(05:02):
one hundred percent support for funding for K twelve education.
As I have said over and over again when this
calling happened, when I found out that one hundred and
eighty of the two hundred and forty four school districts
virtually not a dime came from the state, it's our
responsibility to educate our children. So that's what it is.
(05:23):
We provide the funding to take care of operations, support
superintendent's strength and education. There's challenges in educating our children.
There's incredible needs, and we the state have to do it,
not on the backs of property taxpayers.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Well.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
As a friend of mine eventor tweeted, he said, all
I know as many old retired folks who've paid for
their homes but are on fixed incomes are forced to
sell because of the combination of property taxes, insurance, and utilities.
It's no joke, it's real. I've seen it happen firsthand
in my neighborhood right. And one of the problems I
(06:01):
think is any points this out in his text to me.
This should not be a partisan issue, and I don't
understand why it is. You've got the almost school board
is about to hold forth in opposition to your plan.
The education lobby is just terrified of it, and they've
got a lot of power. Don't the league municipalities there
(06:22):
against you?
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Well, I think that one of the things that every
all I know is every property taxpayer ninety percent or
in support of it, when you know, it's not fun
telling people we got to stop spending money. But that's
what we have to do. We have to get competitive
as a state. All I know is is, hey, I
(06:45):
talked to five I talked to five retired couples last night.
The story is the same over and over again. Yes,
you talked to middle class folks that say, we're going
to have to move out of our home. It's time
that we fix the crisis, and we will come together.
(07:06):
There is bipartisan support. There are people that believe and
know every senator knows we have a property tax crisis.
Some just simply believe that tax credits for the poor
the solution. No, we have to have property tax price
assault for all Nebraskans, and that's what we'll get done.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
And of course I suspect that nothing happens unless there
is some kind of mechanism, legislative mechanism that limits the
amount that local districts can collect every year. Because you
can you can throw all sorts of money jim at
the problem one year, but if the valuation goes up
thirty percent next year, like it did in a lot
of Omaha neighborhoods and Lincoln neighborhoods, it doesn't matter. You
(07:48):
lose it all. It's like sand in the ocean.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
That's that's why we have to have the caps. And
I know that some mayors are coming out the hardcore
reality hard cap zero or CPS. What that means is
really simple, if people would just take the time to
think about it. Everybody says, hey, we're okay with three percent, Well,
I know you are. The point is is we're going
to go into deflation like we did after the Obama administration.
(08:14):
We went through the Great Recession. At that time, we
had three percent deflation, and yet our governments grew by
five percent. That means it's eight percent. So hardcap zero
or CPI means that when we go into three percent deflation,
hardcap is zero, you get the same amount you did
the year before. Well that means is is that you've
(08:36):
got three percent more money, and that nobody needs more
than that for crying out loud, So these are easy.
This is really simple. People are saying you can't do
all this. Well, Number one, there's no time limits on
a special session. Number two, this is really simple.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
Are the doorful?
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Yeah? Well, I mean the people we have we have
work to do. Everybody that's elected got to because they
promised to fixed property taxes. I have one hundred percent conference.
We'll come together and get that done. This is simple.
This plan is straightforward. We'll come together and be able
to make it happen.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
One more, got to get your take on what I
thought was a hit piece from the Lincoln Journal Star
that said that Jim Pillon it was only behind this
because his landholdings in Nebraska will yield him a seven
hundred and fifty thousand dollars decrease in his property taxes.
What the story didn't tell is how much you pay
in property taxes right now every year? Would you care
to drop that number?
Speaker 2 (09:35):
You know, you know, we we we're I've been I'm
here because I love Nebraska and the people in Nebraska.
I'm I'm humbled, and you know, I'm a blessed guy.
We we we we got more than we desorber in
a hundred lifetimes. But I've been blessed to have incredible
(09:58):
member mentors. I've been blessed to work with incredible Nebraskans
and we've worked hard. And I'm sure not going to
apologize for being successful the America. That's what we're all about,
the American dream, working hard, and I'm no different than
countless other Nebraskans across this incredible state in all ninety
(10:18):
three counties that have taken risk, been entrepreneurial and keep
working hard to create opportunities for people. I think just
to be calling it square, Yeah, that dings you when
somebody makes accusations like that. I'm here for Nebraska. I
don't play politics. I'm here to do what's best for
(10:39):
the people in Nebraska. And all I know is I'm
not going to stop because we have to grow our state.
I'm not going to stop because we got young people
losing the hope to on your own home for trying
out loud. And I'm not going to stop because of
the countless Nebraskans that are saying I paid for my home.
I've raised my family here. I love this place, but
(11:00):
now I can't afford to stay in the home I
already paid for. Uh, We're going to get it done.
And we won't. We won't give up until we get there.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Yeah, we got a roll. Good to have you on always.
Thanks Hey, thanks for having me. You guys have a
great day too. Unlets's you got it. Let's stay in touch.
Governor Jim Pellen
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