US: Proposal to end potato production tax comes under scrutiny by unlikely group – potato producers, shippers

Gov. Pete Ricketts backed away Wednesday from a proposal to repeal Nebraska’s potato tax. The governor’s response came after his bill got hashed, mashed and julienned by the very people who make a living growing spuds. Potato producers and shippers told members of the Nebraska Legislature’s Agriculture Committee on Tuesday that they want to keep a state excise tax paid by members of their industry. They also said they were not consulted about Legislative Bill 348 before it was introduced on behalf of Ricketts as a part of a broader effort to reduce unnecessary governmental regulations. Taylor Gage, the governor’s spokesman, said Wednesday that Ricketts respects the wishes of potato producers, which were made clear at the Ag Committee hearing. More