Lawmakers advance bare minimum tax package

NEBRASKA -- Lawmakers passed a bill geared toward property tax relief on Tuesday, but it's nothing like what Gov. Jim Pillen said he wanted. 

Lawmakers voted 34 to 11 to end debate on a bill that front loads income tax credits for property taxes, expands school tax credits and restricts annual increases in local property taxes to the rate of inflation. 

Taken out of the bill, the dozens of sales tax increases to pay for additional property tax relief. Also, the state won't be taking over the funding of public schools. 

Pillen called the summer special session after the legislature failed to pass his proposed plan to cut property taxes by an average of 40% during the regular session earlier this year, and the plan passed Tuesday comes up far short of what he said he wanted at multiple town halls around the state. 

Lawmakers will begin debate on budget cuts related to funding the bill on Wednesday.