Monday, October 06, 2014

DEFEAT THE OP$ BOND ISSUE.


BACKGROUND.  Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom was the only organization to speak against the gluttonous proposed $421 million OP$ school bond issue, the largest in NE history, at the OP$ public hearing.  Several speakers connected to the education establishment also spoke: the teacher union leader, a parent-teacher organization rep, a Latino Center of the Midlands rep, and a few minority speakers.  The teacher union chief insulted taxpayers by saying, "Shame on us."  I responded during my speech by saying, "Shame on him" for criticizing overburdened taxpayers.  Board member Matt Scanlan moved to adopt the bond resolution, seconded by board member Yolanda Williams.  Voting YES, to raise taxes on OPS residents, were board members Marian Fey, Lou Ann Goding, Lacey Merica, Matt Scanlan, Marque Snow, Katie Underwood, Anthony Vargas, Justin Wayne,  and Yolanda Williams.  

APPROXIMATE HIGHER OP$ PROPERTY TAXES ON YOUR HOME.

Home Value
Present OP$ tax
Tax increase from bond
Total OP$ tax
$100,000
$1,202
$60
$1,262
$150,000
$1,803
$90
$1,893
$200,000
$2,404
$120
$2,524
$250,000
$3,005
$150
$3,155

 
This property tax hike is only from the 1st OP$ bond issue.  The board plans a $377 million bond issue in 2017!

TAXED TO THE MAX.  Add these tax hikes to property taxes levied on homeowners by the City of Omaha, Douglas County (which will raise property taxes to pay for its bond issue), higher Papio-Mo. River NRD taxes, higher MUD rates because of the sewer fee increase, and higher OPPD rates.  OP$ taxpayers currently face the financial burden of paying off over $60 million for previous bond issues. Homeowners already pay about 60% of their property taxes to support Omaha Public Schools, a bureaucracy that seems to treat homeowners like personal ATMs. Many residents, with no children in the school system, will face higher taxes for services not utilized; retirees especially will face a financial burden.  The OP$ board has voted to wantonly abuse taxpayers living in the OP$ school district.  To add insult to injury, this board has the audacity to plan to pass an additional $377 million bond issue in 2017.   The first bond will not be paid off before the 2nd bond issue appears.  Moreover, the district spent monies from the last bond issue on projects not listed instead of spending the dollars on promised expenditures.  Fight back!  Vote NO on the OP$ bond on Nov. 4.  And volunteer to help NTF distribute our flyers in your neighborhood.  Email netaxpayers@gmail.com today!

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