Income taxes

The hard-fought increase to the cap on state and local tax deductions that was instrumental to passing the House GOP tax bill is under fire in the Senate.

The Senate returns to Washington with a ticking deadline clock to turn the House's One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law with questions remaining about the future of the SALT cap deduction and green energy tax credits.

As the budget reconciliation lurches through Congress towards a vote, the cap on state and local taxes remains a key bargaining chip while data shows state tax revenue declining and an uncertain future for the pass-through-entity workarounds adopted by more than 30 states.

The agreement includes $12.6 billion in spending for the fiscal year that begins July 1 and an income tax cut estimated to cost $160 million.

Muni advocates are watching the SALT cap negotiations closely, as the outcome may be influence if other revenue raisers, like axing the muni tax exemption, come into play.

"As we head into reconciliation and tax negotiations, I'm making it clear: I won't support a bill that doesn't lift the cap," Rep. Mike Lawler said.

The state, which lost its positive S&P outlook due in part to previous tax cuts, could have further reductions under a bill that survived the governor's veto.

The law cuts the individual income tax rate to 3% by calendar year 2030, with triggers that may drive future annual decreases until it ultimately falls to zero.

Moody's Ratings upgraded Nebraska's issuer rating to Aaa from Aa1 on Monday. It also upgraded the state's $24 million certificates of participation to Aa1 from Aa2.

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is in the early stages of hammering out a surface transportation bill designed to prop up the Highway Trust Fund while House Ways and Means tinkers with a tax deal.