LINCOLN — Thursday, Governor Pete Ricketts, Lt. Governor Mike Foley, State Auditor Charlie Janssen, and legislative leadership released statements in support of federal tax reform.
“I applaud the President and congressional leadership for making tax reform a top priority this year,” said Governor Ricketts. “Providing relief will put more money back into the pockets of hardworking families and unleash economic growth in communities across our nation. Thank you to Congressman Smith for prioritizing the interests of Nebraska’s farm and ranch families as the Ways and Means Committee drafted this legislation. I urge Congress to act quickly and to deliver tax reform to the President’s desk for his signature.”
“President Trump is following through on his commitment to help grow America’s middle class with federal tax reform,” said Lt. Governor Foley. “Americans should be encouraged by the proposed reforms. They would provide a significant reduction in the tax burden for the average family and substantially streamlines the filing process, which will simplify the complex federal tax code. We urge Congress to take action and pass the bill to deliver the tax relief Americans deserve.”
“Fairness and simplicity are hallmarks of good tax policy,” said State Auditor Charlie Janssen. “President Trump’s tax reform efforts seek to simplify the tax code and provide relief to families and job creators across the nation. I urge Congress to act on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act helps to deliver tax reform for America’s middle class now.”
“Tax reform is essential to returning jobs to the U.S. and to helping our employers create more opportunities at home,” said Revenue Committee Chair Jim Smith of Papillion. “Nebraska’s communities and families will benefit from advancing federal tax reform.”
“Nebraskans need federal tax reform to simplify tax preparation and filing for the majority of individual taxpayers,” said Agriculture Committee Chair Lydia Brasch of Bancroft. “The lower rates and higher standard deductions will also greatly benefit large numbers of our middle class taxpayers and ag producers. The lower business tax rates will result in more growth for business and encourage job creation and help grow the economy of our state and nation.”
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was recently approved by the House Ways and Means Committee. The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on the bill soon. Reform would provide tax relief to middle class Americans, eliminate many special-interest deductions, and simplify the process for filing federal income taxes. Estimates project that the plan would grow the American economy by more than 3.5 percent.
— Office of Governor Pete Ricketts
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