Nebraska State Treasurer Tom Briese is hopeful that a newly created commission to advise the legislature on reviewing the state’s school funding formula will result in lowering local property taxes.
During an interview with News Talk WJAG Briese said reforming the funding of k through 12 education is long overdue. “For decades the state has simply passed on the burden of funding for public education to a great extent to the local property tax payers,” Briese said.
“That’s why a few years ago we were essentially first in the country in the percentage of in the funding of K through 12 education at the local level and were essentially last in the country in the percentage of funding K through 12 education by the state and that’s wrong.”
The School Financing Review Commission which Briese is a member was created through the passage of LB 303 by the legislature during it’s last session, the measure passed on a 48-0 vote.
