Neb. governor wants to repay river basin residents
March 2009
U.S. Water News Online
LINCOLN, Neb. — Chances that residents of Nebraska's Republican River basin will be repaid millions of dollars in property taxes have improved.
Recently, Gov. Dave Heineman introduced a measure (LB681) to the Legislature that would require tax dollars paid under part of a water law later found to be unconstitutional be paid back. Water officials in the basin have estimated the amount to be $2 million to $2.5 million.
In 2007, the Legislature gave natural resources districts in the basin authority to collect more property taxes to help send Kansas water it is owed under the Republican River compact.
The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled in January that the extra taxing authority was primarily for state purposes and was therefore unconstitutional.