Nebraska Watchdog reported recently that the attempt of Omaha’s mayor, Jim Suttle, to raise the city’s sales tax is not garnering the support he hoped at either the state capitol or the city council. The 0.5 percent tax increase, according to the mayor, was meant to alleviate the issues surrounding Omaha’s Fire and Police pension problem. Currently the sales tax in Omaha is 7 percent. 5.5 percent goes to the State of Nebraska and 1.5 percent to the City of Omaha.
Likely aware of the legislature’s pending disapproval of the measure, The Omaha City Council voted down the proposed tax Tuesday. If the tax proposal would have passed, it would then move to the legislature for approval and finally, to the people of Omaha for a ballot vote.