FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rhonda Porter: 402-391-2273, Dave Nabity: 402-618-6759

Nabity: Government Efficiency Would Lead to Tax Cuts, Economic Growth and Jobs
Welcomes Osborne to Dialogue

(OMAHA – September 15, 2005) Republican gubernatorial candidate David Nabity released a statement today welcoming Senator Tom Osborne to the tax reform dialogue. Nabity pressed for tax cuts soon to help Nebraska create jobs with good wages and benefits and stimulate economic growth.

“From the beginning of my campaign in January of 2004, I’ve been talking about the need for tax cuts and a nationally competitive tax structure,” Nabity said, “and now two of the three GOP candidates for governor are on record demanding tax reform—53% of the field, according to a recent poll. It’s no different from the approach we saw when Mr. Reagan was president. We have to put money back into the pockets of the people immediately to create jobs, spur economic growth and make us more competitive. In the future, if Nebraska’s income and property taxes remain as high as they are, it will be impossible to compete for businesses that bring new jobs, or convince retirees to stay here with the intellectual capital and financial strength they offer.”

“South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado, our neighboring states, lead the nation as places to start businesses and retire, because they have low tax burdens. Southern states draw retirees because of warm weather, but many also offer lower taxes. If we don’t come up to speed with these competing states, we’re going to lose people and opportunities.”

Nabity stressed that tax cuts will require changes in the way Nebraska government is run, citing other states’ success in improving government efficiency.

“Wanting tax relief is one thing. Finding a way to make it happen is another. We cannot leave things as-is in state government and make tax cuts a reality. That is why I believe we need a state government Performance Review Board like boards in Texas, Florida, California and South Carolina. Those boards have brought together analysts from the private sector, state employees and a citizen’s panel to absolutely scrub government.”

“Each state with a performance review board found more than 1,000 places to curb spending. They saved 10 to 20 percent. They eliminated duplication and overlapping services, implemented cost cutting technologies, created cost cutting brigades and established competitive government contracting. Through these changes, states were able to eliminate poorly performing programs, offer incentive compensation to state employees for savings ideas, and reform entitlement programs. The goal is to find ways to modernize and streamline government and political subdivisions. It’s just good business. Once the money is found, then you have a basis for cutting taxes and bringing everyone relief.”

“In my administration, real tax cuts will be the first course of business. We can’t wait to see if ‘the economy is moving in the right direction,’ as the governor suggests. The economy will not move in the right direction, unless we modernize, streamline and cut taxes so money can be put back into the state. Some Nebraska officials think taxpayers should just keep paying this money, then collect more money before they consider giving it back. If taxpayers want somebody to hold their money for them, they put it in a bank, not the state government’s general fund.”

“Nebraska needs to catch up with our peer states and the nation’s high-growth states. There is no reason we can’t operate more efficiently. We cannot wait any longer. Nebraska needs a governor passionately committed to restructuring state government. Nebraskans need someone who will permanently reduce the intolerable tax burden on citizens and businesses.”

Dave Nabity for Governor
9140 West Dodge, Suite 100
Omaha, NE 68114
(402) 391-2273
www.davenabity.com