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Property taxes a 2026 priority as Nebraska legislature faces budget gap

A Nebraska farmer says a legislative priority for 2026 is addressing property taxes.

But, Jan TenBensel, says the state is facing a $471 million budget shortfall and that may make that difficult for the Legislature to accomplish that. “Everything from property tax relief to how many dollars the state feeds into the K-12 state-aid formula and what those dollars are going to look like. We have to maintain good education in our state but also maintain a climate where we can survive and thrive in on the farm.”

The Nebraska Legislature convened for its 109^th session today.

2026 is a budget year and, by law, the state legislature has to approve a balanced budget by the end of year.

TenBensel tells Brownfield lawmakers have made some progress recently, but land valuations for some producers have been on the rise. “You can have a very low tax rate, and if you feel like your valuation is going up too quickly that can change things. I want to also be a devil’s advocate on that because a lot of guys feel like they’re way too high on valuations, but I’ve never had a valuation where I’d sell it on that amount.”

Lawmakers have previously passed bills that have adjusted ag land valuations.