November 15, 2016 at 4:00 PM - Legislative Committee Meeting

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Meeting call to order at 4:02 PM

 

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Committee to be more informed on TIF (Tax Increment Financing).  TIF takes growing value that wouldn't otherwise grow (blighted/substandard land property).  Karen Haase shared a presentation with the Committee.  Financing for public improvements when there are no other public or private funds to finance it.  Tax - not new tax.  Increment - additional tax revenues created by increase in assessed value.  Financing issue non- recourse bonds.  Define boundary, tax base is frozen and redevelopment starts.  The decrease value of the property - the increase of valuation goes towards bonds.  The increase rate of property remains the same.  TIFs can not exceed fifteen years.  A TIF needs to be within the corporate boundaries of the city.  City may choose to annex non-contiguous land to develop.  The TIF area needs to be declared blighted.  The Platte Institute has done study on TIFs. 

Discussion:  Tiffany Seibert-Joekel from Open Sky Institute was present for a presentation.  Non-partisan/non-profit think tank open on tax and budget issues with education finance.  Education is about 45% of state budget.  They talk about the funding for state level program.  We are below the historical average.  The low budget growth is because we appropriate much more than actually spending.  TEOSA average growth was a little over 2%.  Local resources have been high, shifted to property taxes instead of state funds.  In FY17, the legislature is short over $911 mil for the biennium.  FY16 was short $100 mil and add in the first three months an additional $42 mil.  The will result in a 10% budget cut.  NDE department 10% was cut from TEOSA.  This will result in a shift toward property taxes.  Comprehensive tax reform in the works.  Cuts to income tax, paid for by shift to sales tax.  Increasing the sale tax rate, expanding what we tax?  (taxi vs limo, spa, food, etc)  Shortfall is partial due to Ag shortage, downfall.  Open Sky has been working with education leaders with evidence base policies and strategies that we should be investing in for education.  Nebraska Education Collaboration - they will create a website, provide papers, etc to help with investing in education.  If interested in helping register at openskypolicy.org.  Discussion regarding tax on internet purchasing. 

Discussion:  Executive Director reviewed meeting at NCSA with all agency stakeholders on Tuesday, October 31, 2016, to come up with actionable items.  What are the common investments we need to address for every students, every day.  Long term strategy that will meet the needs of all students.  The next meeting will be on November 22, 2016. 

Discussion:  Committee Chair reviewed the discussion from meeting regarding legislative marketing plan.  Begin planning on the entire legislative process.  Bromm provided a legislative overview.  Big change in leadership - speaker (Sheer/Williams), education chair (Sheer/Grone), and other chairs.  There are roughly 32 republicans, 15 democrats, 1 independent, 1 libertarian senators.  Try to schedule a meeting with the Governor before the session begins or early January.  Twelve new senators, discuss how to make contacts with them. 

Discussion:  Executive Director reviewed the legislative goals.  Commissioner to be at November meeting to discuss biennial budget.  Core Funding is maxed in the biennial budget.  Executive Director to visit with Roy Baker regarding QCPUF.  He will meet with State Auditor on future of state audits.  Continue to have communications with Senators.

Discussion:  Try to schedule a meeting with the Governor before the session begins or early January.

Discussion:  Executive Director to help schedule individual visits with ESUs and Legislators.  

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Discussion:  ESUCC is working to gather data for statewide data to be used at the whole group presentation. 

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