Data centers, property taxes and Nebraska’s petition process were among the issues Gov. Jim Pillen addressed during his monthly Nebraska Broadcasters Association statewide call-in radio program Monday.
Photo by Kenny Larabee, NRG Media-Lincoln
Data centers
Pillen said Nebraska needs to balance data-center development with protecting water supplies and electric ratepayers.
“I think it’s really simple, three things,” Pillen said. “Number one, we have to protect our water. Number two, we have to protect the advantage we have as ratepayers. We cannot grow data centers on the backs of ratepayers. And then number three, we don’t need to give them tax credits.”
Pillen said a state task force is examining data-center development and its impact on electricity and other resources. He said he generally opposes moratoriums, preferring that decisions be made on a case-by-case basis for individual communities and projects.
Property valuations
Pillen also called for limits on how quickly property valuations can increase.
“What we have to do is we have to cap property valuations,” Pillen said. “It’s as simple as that. We have to cap it that they can only go up one or two percent.”
Pillen described Nebraska’s property-tax problem as a combination of rising taxes, valuations and local government spending. He said further changes will require 33 votes in the Legislature.
Petition signatures
Pillen said he also wants changes to Nebraska’s petition process, specifically how signature gatherers are paid.
“The signature integrity issue, that has to get addressed,” Pillen said. “We’re addressing it. We’re going to fix it.”
Pillen argued that paying circulators based on the number of signatures collected creates an incentive for fraud and said they should instead be paid by the hour.
Disability services
The governor also fielded questions about developmental-disability services administered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
A caller questioned assessments used to determine services and asked Pillen to pause reductions while the system is independently reviewed.
“You and I are probably not going to agree on that,” Pillen responded. “That is absolutely not the case. Anybody that is trying to proclaim that just isn’t accurate.”
Pillen disputed that the assessment process is primarily being used to reduce assistance, saying most people assessed have maintained or increased their level of services.
Czech president’s visit
Pillen also discussed the upcoming Nebraska visit by Czech President Petr Pavel.
The governor said agriculture, manufacturing and the Nebraska National Guard’s longstanding partnership with the Czech Republic will be among the topics discussed.
Pillen said the visit will include events in Lincoln and Wilber.
Pillen’s monthly call-in program is produced by the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and airs on participating stations across Nebraska. Listen to the entire program here.