Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Hefty Hike Proposed For Nebraska Alcohol, Tobacco Taxes

If you think Nebraska has high enough taxes on alcohol with beer currently at 31 cents per gallon, it may be time to think again.

A proposed sales tax increase would hike the cost of wine, beer, spirits and tobacco to reduce property taxes throughout the state.

State Sen. Tom Briese, R-District 41, introduced a bill stating that the state sales tax would increase from 5.5 percent to 6 percent. The cigarette tax would go up $1.50 to go with increased taxes on wine, beer and liquor.

“The goal of this provision was to provide property tax relief for hard working Nebraska homeowners and ag p...