Unicameral debates sales tax exemption for diapers

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - An Omaha Senator is proposing and end to sales taxes for diapers in Nebraska.

LB 58 was introduced by Senator John Cavanaugh, and he claims that it would save the average Nebraska family $70 a year, And the proposed bill could be much needed.

Parents Together Action reported in 2022, that since 2018 the price of diapers rose 22%.

This proposed legislation would also apply to adult diapers as well, and, Margaret Marsh, Director of Mission Impact for YWCA of Grand Island said that can have a big impact the elderly’s wallets.

“A lot of times for elderly people when it comes to medications and medical products, and although this isn’t strictly a medical product it is a necessity, when those costs rise, well what do you take out if you have a fixed income and one of the first things is food so you start eating poorly,” Marsh said.

Albion Senator Tom Briese said he is in favor of giving families some financial relief, but not at the expense of cutting sales taxes.

“Several times in the past six years I have tried to expand the sales tax base by eliminating exemptions then use those dollars for property tax relief and have always encountered difficulty trying to expand the sales tax base and so I for one an always somewhat reluctant to travel the path of narrowing the sale tax base,” Senator Tom Briese told Local4 News.

The Department of Revenue estimates that the bill would reduce the general fund by almost $1.6 million.

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