The bureaucrat who sets the proposed budget should not have authority to collect and spend all the revenue funding it. Both commercial and personal economies are suffering setbacks. Many Nebraska businesses, especially in rural areas, depend on transporting people and goods long distances, and skyrocketing fuel costs have cut thin their profit margins. Rising oil prices are adding millions to NE farmer and rancher production costs, depressing income when some already are barely surviving. School districts, particularly in rural areas, suddenly are spending much more to transport students.
Commuters see their paychecks shrink.
Cab companies and drivers, courier services, florists, and fast food deliveries are hurting. Paving companies that use petroleum-based asphalt are charging more for private and public contracts, pinching both consumers and taxpayers. The Nebraska general fund now enjoys a surplus. Instead of spending this surplus on pet special interest programs, state senators should reward and relieve taxpayers by granting us a sizeable fixed portion fuel tax cut until fuel prices drop considerably. Lower total gas prices during summer vacation time will lure tourists and their dollars and will convince long-distance truckers to travel through Nebraska, buying their fuel and other items here.