LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers are squabbling over how much money to put into a state fund that helps reduce property taxes, and whether to pay $2.5 million for bronze fountains at the Capitol.
The disputes on Monday arose as lawmakers debated changes to the state's $7.8 billion, two-year budget.
The current proposal includes a $25 million increase in Nebraska's property tax credit fund, bringing the total annual amount to $140 million. The money is distributed as a tax credit to property owners. Senators on Monday rejected an attempt to increase the fund by $45 million instead.
Some conservatives tried unsuccessfully to strip funding for Capitol fountains out of the budget. The fountains were part of the Capitol's original design, but were never finished.
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Appropriations Committee report: http://1.usa.gov/PksXG5
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