We’re always hearing about cities and states who’s populations are growing. What about those with sinking populations? Today, the Kearney Hub published an article discussing high taxes on farmland.

The article argues that high taxes are causing farmers and landowners to leave Nebraska for places with lower taxes. The article mentions that Nebraska already has a reputation for high taxes and the issue is only getting worse.

I agree with this article. Agriculture is at the core of Nebraska’s economy. If Nebraska continues to lose taxpaying land owners and their land, what will become of Nebraska? These taxes are driving out our main industry.

I understand that a state needs to tax its main industry to sustain its economy. That’s part of the way an industry sustains an economy. However, we should not forget that many of these farms are privately owned. If a state imposes huge taxes on a bigger business, the business can absorb the costs better than the “little guy” can. Also, a larger business cannot pack up and move to another state as easily as a few people can. Additionally, a land owner who moves to another state and buys some land for agricultural purposes very quickly starts paying into the other state’s economy. This process takes longer and is more complicated when it comes to a larger business.

Nebraska needs to carefully look at how its taxes are affecting land owners. Driving land owners out is not going to help this state at all.

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