Rural Nebraskans' Perceptions of Tax Restructuring and Local Schools. 1998 Nebraska Rural Poll Results. A Working Paper.

This report details results of the 1998 Nebraska Rural Poll, which asked rural Nebraskans their opinions on taxes, school finance, and school consolidation. Survey responses were received from 4,196 residents of Nebraska's 87 non-metropolitan counties. When asked about the tax structure, most respondents favored changing the current distribution of state and local taxes to place less reliance on property taxes and individual income taxes and more reliance on sales tax and corporate income tax. About half of respondents felt that the recently enacted 10 percent cut in property taxes would not greatly affect public services but would reduce the quality of public education. A majority agreed that property tax rates for school districts should be capped, but considerable support existed for using state income taxes and local option sales taxes as alternative sources. Most respondents disagreed with setting a minimum size for schools to receive state aid, but opinions were mixed on whether school quality should be a factor in state aid. Most were satisfied with their local school district's allocation of funds, overall quality of education, and level of participation in the community. Respondents were more likely to support school consolidation if it lowered their taxes and improved educational quality, or if it didn't cause the closure of any existing school. However, over 70 percent of respondents believed that school consolidation would reduce their community's economy, social life, and future prospects, and about half felt that educational quality and student opportunities would decline. (Contains 18 data tables and figures.) (SV)