Advocacy
Thank you for all of your efforts this year with the 2024 session!
LB 1308 would have reinstated the tax on ag repair and replacement parts in Nebraska. However, due to the work of members and staff and the support of key Senators, that bill was not included in the final version that was debated on the floor of the Legislature. The omnibus tax bill that was debated was ultimately pulled from the agenda due to lack of support. While the Legislature adjourned without passage of Governor Jim Pillen’s Property Tax Shift Plan, there is more work to do.
Governor Pillen has notified members of the Legislature that he will be calling them back for a special session on July 25 to “finish the work” on property tax reform. While we don’t have any legislation to review or specific details of what they may be voting on, here is what we are hearing from conversations with State Senators and reports from Governor Pillen’s town hall meetings.
Governor Pillen has been advocating for:
- Broadening the sales tax base to not only include taxing ag inputs (seed, fertilizer, parts, etc.), but other business inputs as well.
- Eliminating the common levy for schools and the state would pick up that cost – similar to what was done for community colleges last year. Bonds and other special assessments would still continue to be funded by property taxes.
- Front-loading already approved property tax credits for income taxes paid, placing hard caps on local government spending.
Regardless of what is introduced, we will be prepared and present to represent your interests and will likely be calling on you to assist. If you are not currently receiving the Legislative updates – when the Legislature is in session – from Tim Keigher with Keigher and Associates, please let me know.
Connections
We had nearly 70 attendees across our 4 meetings. It is an honor to not only serve you and your business, but to host you for dinner and discussion on issues of concern to dealers. In addition to our conversations, staff provided updates from the Washington DC Fly- In and federal issues, previewed upcoming events including regional and legislative meetings and golf outings, and the opportunity to partner with us on the Andrew Goodman Scholarship. Plans are underway for district meetings for 2025.
When the Legislative session didn’t require my attention, I have been traveling the state and visiting with dealers. I have had over 440 member contacts in the past three months including 59 dealer visits. Many dealers have expressed a renewed focus on inventory management – whether that be on used equipment that is accumulating or on the pressure being brought to bear by manufacturers to order and carry additional new goods.
Higher interest rates continue to impact the carrying cost for dealers and the willingness of customers to purchase new or additional equipment. so many of you have been evaluating your current product lines. I want to make sure that you are aware that there are processes and protections for dealers and requirements for manufacturers to follow under Nebraska law. The statute not only deals with
your current contracts, but also what happens
should you choose to cancel a contract.
Education
The Andrew Goodman Scholarship program helps dealers financially support and train those aspiring toward management, technical, sales or administrative positions within the dealership. INEDA provided matching scholarships up to $1,500 for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year. This year dealers are matching the INEDA scholarship funds of $90,000 for 82 students. (If a student fails to complete their course work a refund is provided to INEDA and the dealership.) While many of you consider this program to be for service technicians, the scholarship is open to any student who may be pursuing a degree that would be of value to them as an employee of your dealership. The annual deadline to apply is April 15.
We also have been working to position dealers before educators to build strong relationships as you recruit future team members. This year, INEDA members joined together to present on the type of careers dealerships offer to ag teachers in Nebraska. To further enhance the employee pipeline, we are supporting educators and the development of curriculum taught in our schools. We have partnered with the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) which develops comprehensive curriculum materials that teachers who are certified in a CASE course may implement in their classroom.
Four teachers from Nebraska and Iowa have received this curriculum to teach and raise the interest and aptitude of students in high school for careers in Agricultural Equipment Maintenance & Technology (AEMT). We will continue to work on this effort and expand interest and awareness in the coming year.
I look forward to meeting with you in the coming months!