Omaha, Nebraska
From Sunshine Review
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Omaha is a city in U.S. state of Nebraska. It is one of 22 cities in the state.
[edit] Website evaluation
- Main article: Evaluation of Nebraska city websites
[edit] The good
[edit] The bad
[edit] Budget
Omaha mayor's new mayor, Jim Suttle,, defends raising taxes he said he would cut. He has proposed the following tax increases:[1]
- Wheel Tax Up 65%, on average $35 to $58 per car. The tax would raise $8.5 million.
- Restaurant Tax 4%, on food and drink. Raises $23.5 million.
- Property Tax Up 9.3%, on average $60 a year. Raises $12 million
300 people attended a town hall meeting to protest the proposed $44 million in new taxes, but Suttle maintained it is the only solution for the city.[2]
[edit] City Council
Omaha's City Council voted unanimously on May 18, 2010 to force over 1,000 retired police officers, firefighters, and civilian workers to pay for part of their health insurance. An attorney representing the unions of the workers who would be forced to pay for the health insurance is filing suit in U.S. District Court in Omaha. The lawyer, Mike Dowd, is asking for a temporary injunction to stop the ordinance from taking effect. Dowd says the contract with the Omaha Firefighters Union says, “The premiums shall be paid by the city.”[3] Before the vote, City Council members, Republican Jean Stothert and Democrats Chris Jerram and Ben Gray, said the city would be close to bankruptcy without the measure.[4]
The City is currently negotiating a new contract with the Omaha Police Union. The proposed contract could not be discussed with the public due to a gag order, and has been hotly contested by the city council who call the police contract the "biggest bill taxpayers get."[5] There has also been concerns about City Council President Garry Gernandt voting on the contract because he is a retired police officer, though lawyers have ruled there would be no conflict of interest.[6]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ↑ Nebraska Watchdog, Suttle’s Tax Hikes Get Mixed Review From Council, July 21, 2010
- ↑ Nebraska Watchdog, Suttle on Budget Fall-Out: “I’m ready to suffer any consequences", July 29, 2010
- ↑ "City Retirees Lose Council Vote, Lawsuit Next," Nebraska Watchdog, May 18, 2010
- ↑ "Council Comments on City’s “Bankruptcy”" Nebraska Watchdog, May 19, 2010
- ↑ Nebraska Watchdog, Omaha Police Deal Irks Council: Includes “Gag Order”, July 12, 2010
- ↑ Nebraska Watchdog, City Lawyers: No Conflict for Council President, State Ruling Next, July 23, 2010
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