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Some Republican lawmakers are considering a tax package that could include a sales tax increase to fund water quality efforts and outdoor recreation. Voters approved the increase in 2010, but lawmakers haven’t acted to implement it.
Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver says he’s considering it for 2020, but it would have to come as part of an overall tax reduction. Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen says many Democrats have supported the tax increase for conservation and recreation.
“We understand negotiations are going on behind closed doors that would impact what the formula may or may not be, and until we have a chance to see what that might look like and what it would be like as far as an overall tax package, I’m hesitant to say whether or not Democrats will support it.”
Statehouse leaders made their comments today (Thursday) at an event hosted by the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
There is a new president of the University of Nebraska system.
Walter "Ted" Carter, the former superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, won confirmation today.
Sixty-year-old Carter was confirmed on a vote of 7-1 after regents met behind closed doors for about 100 minutes. Elizabeth O'Connor of Omaha was the lone "no" vote, according to the Omaha World-Herald.
Carter is expected to begin a 16-day transition on Dec. 16, during which time Susan Fritz will continue as interim president. He will take over as president on Jan. 1 and has a five-year contract.
His base pay will be $934,600 a year, according to the draft contract in the regents' documents. That is by far the highest compensation ever paid to an NU president. He is the top executive over a system that includes institutions in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, and Curtis.
