Neb. Teachers, Farm Group Join in Tax Plan

By Drew Lindsay

Fear that a property-tax revolt brewing in Nebraska will hurt education has brought the state's biggest teachers' union and farm group together in a campaign for tax relief.

Nebraska voters don't go to the polls to decide state constitutional issues until next November, but the state capital of Lincoln is already awash in proposed constitutional amendments to cut or even abolish local property taxes. Citizens' groups are pushing two ballot initiatives, the legislature is considering a third, and Gov. Ben Nelson has signaled that he, too, may soon present his own plan.

The chorus for property-tax relief is loud enough that the Nebraska State Education Association, a frequent opponent of tax-cut measures, is picking up the refrain. The 23,000-member union is leading a coalition of farming and ranching groups that has drafted a proposed amendment to cut local property taxes...