3 minute read
WAYWARD SHOTS FROM THE POLICY FRONT
For those of you who participate in the exciting (and humbling) game of golf, if you haven’t heard this yelled—or yelled it yourself—you would be in the minority. “FORE!” is shorthand for, “You are about to get hit with a flying projectile that I can’t believe came off of the end of my club. Get out of the way so you don’t get hurt!”
At least, that’s what I’m thinking when I’m yelling it.
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You’ll not only hear it on your local course, but you’ll even hear it from the best players in the game during some of the biggest golf tournaments in the world. It doesn’t mean that they are bad golfers or that they haven’t put in the practice—there are just times when things don’t go according to plan.
One of those memorable shots was from the 2012 Masters Tournament. Bubba Watson hit his drive on the 10th hole, during the playoff, deep into the woods right of the fairway. When the pressure was on, he carved a shot through the trees and landed near the pin, which ultimately helped him win his first major championship (see photo of flight path below).
I enjoy watching golf because I know how hard it is to play well and the skills necessary to play as a professional.
I also know how hard it is to get legislation passed and to be effective in the Nebraska Legislature. I will also admit that compared to golf, watching the Unicameral is nowhere near as enjoyable—especially this year with the tactics that were utilized to attempt to cause some wayward shots this session. But just like Bubba Watson’s efforts at the Masters, it is important to recognize success when we see it.
2023 Legislative Session
The 2023 Legislative Session scorecard will show a lot of positive things accomplished this session:
• 2023-2024 budget includes only a 2 percent increase despite historic 40-year high inflation.
• LB753 gives families more options so their kids get an education that fits their needs.
• LB243 provides billions of dollars in permanent property tax relief for Nebraskans.
• LB754 lowers income and business taxes to 3.99 percent, saving Nebraskans $900 million a year in taxes; eliminates taxes of Social Security income; and provides a tax credit related to childcare for families and providers. These are the largest income and business tax cuts in state history.
• LB 583 provides foundation aid and special education supplemental aid for each public school district while setting up the Education Future Fund for funding future spending needs.
• LB562 expands access to E-15, helping farmers and giving consumers more options at the pump.
• LB683 creates a new Broadband Office that will more efficiently use resources to provide support to communities and avenues for high-speed internet expansion.
• LB77 ratifies Constitutional Carry into law to protect Nebraskans and their rights.
The Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA) supported two other notable bills that were signed into law: Sales Tax Exemption on Twine/ Wire (LB 96—Slama) was included in LB 727, and state funding for career and technical education (LB 610—Lippincott) was included in the budget.
In this industry, we all spend a great deal of time on workforce development and recruitment. The same concepts apply to elected officials. The session began with a newly elected Governor in Jim Pillen, a new Lt. Governor in Joe Kelly who had never presided over the Legislature, a new speaker in Senator John Arch, 10 new committee chairs, and 14 new state senators. The work they did would have been memorable for any legislative body, but it is especially laudatory when you consider how they accomplished what they did with so many new perspectives and personalities. Make time this summer and fall to thank your state senator for serving in the legislature.
Your participation in the legislative process is essential to your future success. Think of all of the time and energy you spend managing the risk in your business. Hopefully you recognize that your involvement in legislative and regulatory issues is an essential component to your risk management as these issues have become more and more prevalent in our daily lives.
As we approach the clubhouse, I would like to highlight the work of Tim Keigher with Keigher and Associates who represents you at the legislature. In addition, he provides INEDA members weekly email updates during the session. In his updates, Tim lists current issues before the legislature, previews the coming week, and summarizes INEDA’s position on all of the bills.
Before you know it, it will be time for the legislature to tee it up for the 2024 session.
nebraska SALES TAX spotlight
What products, commonly used in forage production, will be exempt from sales tax beginning October 1, 2023?
Twine and baling wire. State Senator Julie Slama passed LB 984 (2022) to exempt net wrap from sales tax. This year, INEDA asked Senator Slama to introduce LB 96 (2023) to add twine and baling wire to provide consistency to the exemption. LB 96 was amended in LB 727 and signed into law by Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen.
JAMIE MERTZ Director of Dealer and Government Relations [jamiem@ineda.com]
515.320.3314