Cutting the Weight on Nebraska’s Shoulders: Real Property Tax Relief for Rural Families

By Jon Capps, Candidate for Nebraska Legislature – District 38

If you talk to farmers, ranchers, or homeowners in Clay, Nuckolls, Webster, Franklin, Harlan, Phelps, Furnas, or Red Willow counties, one concern comes up over and over — property taxes are crushing us.

It’s not just about the annual bill. It’s about families wondering if they can keep the farm in the family. It’s about young couples deciding whether they can afford to buy a home in their own hometown. It’s about seniors on fixed incomes who feel they’re being taxed out of their homes.

Here’s the truth: Nebraska has one of the highest property tax burdens in the nation. And in rural areas, we’re hit even harder because agricultural land is valued high and taxed high, while our local tax base is smaller.

Too many politicians have promised property tax relief over the years, and yet here we are — paying more. That’s why I’m running: to push for real, lasting reforms, not more political lip service.

Here’s my plan:

1. Put a Cap on Local Spending We can’t have real property tax relief if local spending keeps growing unchecked. I’ll fight for reasonable caps on local government growth, with exceptions only for true emergencies — not pet projects.
   

2. Shift State Priorities to Fund Core Services Our schools, roads, and essential services should be funded first — before the state spends on nice-to-have programs. State aid should relieve local taxpayers, not expand bureaucracy.
   

3. Tie Relief to Accountability Any property tax relief plan must come with transparency so taxpayers can see where their dollars go — and hold officials accountable if they break their word.
   

I’m a Nebraska First conservative who believes in fiscal responsibility because I’ve lived it. As a former CTO and IT systems analyst, I’ve helped large organizations find inefficiencies, cut waste, and redirect resources where they’re needed most. It’s time Nebraska’s government did the same.

Property tax relief is more than an economic issue — it’s about preserving our rural way of life. If you send me to Lincoln, I’ll fight to lift this burden so families can keep their land, their homes, and their future right here in Nebraska.