Wheel tax for those who commute to work in Omaha

The debate over the city of Omaha's wheel tax pitting Omaha lawmakers against those with districts just outside the city's limits is expected to resume Friday.

 A bill (LB81) by state Sen. Abbie Cornett of Bellevue would prohibit Nebraska municipalities from imposing a wheel tax on nonresidents of their cities and villages. Omaha's ordinance, passed last year, imposes the $50 tax on people who live elsewhere but work inside Omaha city limits.

Several lawmakers who represent communities outside of Omaha's city limits have said Omaha's ordinance amounts to taxation without representation, since those outside Omaha can't vote in Omaha city elections. But some Omaha lawmakers say the tax is a user fee that is fair, because those who drive into Omaha to work add to the deterioration of city streets.