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NFU- Initiative 423 will raise property taxesNebraska Nebraska Farmers Union State President John K. Hansen says that Initiative 423 supporters who claim that 423 will lower, not increase property taxes are playing fast and loose with the truth. Hansen represented the Nebraskans Against 423 coalition at Secretary of State John Gale's hearing at Central Community College in Grand Island Oct. 16. Nebraska's general farm and commodity organizations, the organizations that represent the business community, and virtually all the experts that have studied the proposed 423 Constitutional amendment agree that property taxes will go up even faster with 423 in place. Hansen said, "The source of the financing for Initiative 423 raises serious questions about who is trying to put this very extreme language in our Nebraska Constitution. It appears the bulk of the financing comes from a handful of extreme out-of-state individuals, including New York real estate magnate Howie Rich. Their campaign ads claim Initiative 423 will lower property taxes. Those claims do not square with the experience of other states and it does not square with the judgment of virtually every farm and commodity organization in the state who has examined this proposal and taken a position. The only thing we know for sure is the rich out of state individuals financing 423 will not have to live with the consequences of 423." "Voters should not be confused, or allow themselves to be misled and hustled by inaccurate predictions of campaign supporters. The organizations that represent rural Nebraska know good and well that when state income and sales taxes are decreased, that property taxes will be used to help pick up part of the funding shortfall by K-12 schools and local governmental subdivisions who have no other place to turn for revenue to meet local needs. There is virtual agreement by the organizations that represent rural Nebraska on the issue of whether or not 423 will raise property taxes. They agree, 423 will result in higher property taxes," Hansen said. "In fact, those of us in rural Nebraska that have been fighting the battle for a more fair and balanced state tax system know that 423 will make an already property tax intensive state tax system even more property tax intensive. It will make a bad situation even worse. Voters can believe all the farm and commodity organizations in the state, or they can believe a defeated Republican candidate for Governor who received only 5% of the votes cast in the spring Republican primary. The facts simply do not back up Dave Nabity's claims. Voters should not be misled. Voting for 423 if voting for higher property taxes," Hansen concluded. Date: 10/24/06
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