Rep. Julie Slama

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would allow any individual to file a lawsuit against local governments if they raise new taxes without first getting voter approval at a November general election. The bill aims to enforce existing state laws by giving citizens a legal mechanism to challenge unauthorized tax increases by political subdivisions. If passed, this change would add a new section to Article VIII of the Nebraska Constitution to formalize this right to sue.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow individuals to file lawsuits against political subdivisions if they extend expiring taxes without prior voter approval at a November general election. The amendment specifically targets situations where local governments extend tax measures that have already expired, violating state laws by bypassing the required voting process. If approved by voters, this change would create a legal mechanism for citizens to challenge such unauthorized tax extensions in court. Currently, the bill has been indefinitely postponed and has not been enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow private citizens to sue the state if its annual spending increases more than the combined rate of inflation and population growth without voter approval. The amendment aims to create a legal mechanism where individuals can challenge state budget decisions in court if they exceed these specific limits without prior authorization from voters at a general election. If passed, this change would directly affect the state's budgeting process by introducing a judicial avenue for enforcing spending caps based on economic and demographic factors. The measure requires voter approval at a statewide general election to be valid and would not take effect until such approval is granted.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow individuals to sue political subdivisions, such as cities or counties, for creating debts or financial obligations without prior voter approval at a general election. The amendment requires that any such debt be backed by adequate cash reserves held irrevocably for all future payment years to be considered legal. If passed, this change would enable citizens to challenge and potentially stop the creation of unfunded liabilities by local governments that bypass the state's existing laws on voter consent and financial safeguards.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow any individual to file a lawsuit against local governments, such as cities or counties, if they do not keep a financial reserve equal to at least three percent of their annual spending. The amendment aims to enforce existing state laws requiring these reserves by creating a legal path for citizens to challenge non-compliant political subdivisions. If passed, the change would shift the responsibility of enforcing reserve requirements from state agencies to private citizens who can initiate court proceedings. Currently, the measure has been postponed and has not yet been submitted to voters for approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would require local governments in Nebraska to obtain voter approval at a November general election before raising any tax rates. The measure directly affects political subdivisions, such as cities and counties, by mandating a public vote prior to any tax increase. If passed, the change would alter the current process by ensuring that tax rate hikes can only occur after voters explicitly agree to them during a scheduled general election.