LINCOLN, NE - As state legislators work to find a solution to the Nebraska's property tax issue, one western Nebraska senator has brought forth an idea that would put the final decision in the hands of taxpayers.

District 47 Senator Steve Erdman introduced LR 300-CA late last month with nine other Nebraska legislators. If enacted, the resolution would eliminate property tax, income tax and all others beside a consumption tax. 

The consumption tax would put a tax only on services and new goods, according to Erdman. 

In an interview with NCN on Monday, Erdman said the whole state can feel the weight of the property tax crisis.

"Douglas, Lancaster and Sarpy counties, their property values, as far as residential and commercial have been going up, not at the same rate as agriculture has, but at an astronomical rate," Erdman said. "Now they see the issue as being the same as ours: property taxes are out of line and we need to do something about it."

 The constitutional amendment must first be approved by two-thirds of the legislature. If that happens, it will be put on the ballot for voters in November. 

According to the proposed resolution, it would go into effect on January 1, 2022 if passed. 

"This bill is an opportunity for the people to vote on the fact that they would be living in a state without income tax or property tax," Erdman said. "That is the issue at hand, and my goal is to get people to understand that there is an opportunity to do that."

Erdman says this amendment could make Nebraska the "number one state" to attract businesses and keep people living in the state.