Pioneer Brief: Data center tax breaks top $300 million

Data center tax exemptions lead today. A new analysis puts four years of personal property tax breaks above $300 million, while Lincoln braces for longer election nights and Legislature committee races take shape.

Data center property tax breaks top $300 million over four years

Equipment worth nearly $22 billion was exempt from fiscal 2023 through 2026, mostly in three counties

A Nebraska Public Media News analysis of Department of Revenue data found data centers received personal property tax breaks worth more than $300 million over four years, including an estimated $196 million last fiscal year. More than 99% of last year's exempt property was in Douglas, Sarpy and Lancaster counties, and Gov. Jim Pillen's July executive order did not change the exemption law.

Why it matters: Property taxes not paid on exempt equipment can shift to other taxpayers in those counties, and the exemption is expected to be a major question when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

Read the full story: Nebraska Public Media

Government Committee chair Sanders won't seek the post again

Sens. Bob Andersen and Victor Rountree, both Air Force veterans, are running to succeed her

State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue said she will not seek another term as chair of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee in 2027, and will instead focus on Natural Resources issues such as water, energy and AI. Republican Bob Andersen, her vice chair, and Democrat Victor Rountree have announced bids, and a chair needs at least 25 votes in the 30-18-1 Legislature.

Why it matters: The committee handles election laws and rules for citizen-led petitions, so its next chair will shape that work as a new secretary of state takes office.

Read the full story: Nebraska Examiner

Update: Lincoln's switch to even-year elections could mean later results

Lancaster County released election results until 3:15 a.m., and officials expect longer ballots starting in 2030

Lancaster County Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen said high turnout and two-page ballots with six Lincoln questions kept his office releasing results until 3:15 a.m., hours later than planned. Because Ballot Question 3 drew more votes than its competing measure, Lincoln's city elections will move alongside state races starting in 2030, which Wiltgen expects will lengthen ballots further.

Why it matters: Combined ballots and a growing number of petition measures affect how quickly results are reported and how many voters complete down-ballot questions, according to election officials and a UNL political scientist.

Read the full story: Nebraska Public Media

Around Nebraska

• County election offices are still receiving mail-in ballots that will not be counted, including 55 in Douglas County and 50 in Lancaster County, because Nebraska requires ballots to arrive by the close of polls.
• CLAAS opened a 44,800-square-foot research and development center on its Omaha campus as part of a multi-year, $100 million North American investment.

Watch Next

• Nov. 12-13: The NPPD Board of Directors meets in Columbus.
• Nov. 13: Lancaster County counts its remaining provisional ballots.
• Nov. 16: The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission meets at 1 p.m. at the State Office Building in Lincoln.
• Nov. 16: The Health and Human Services Committee holds an interim hearing on LR380, Sen. Fredrickson's study of transitions for youth.
• Nov. 18: Gov. Pillen's executive order easing fuel-hauling rules expires.
• Nov. 20: The Appropriations and Revenue committees receive the 2026 tax incentive and tax expenditure reports.
• Nov. 25: The Nebraska Department of Education's embargo on last school year's statewide test data lifts.
• Jan. 6, 2027: The Legislature convenes and elects committee chairs by secret ballot.

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