Ricketts (R) candidate 4 US Senate Look what the State party did!!!

[Omaha Steve]

Dear Steven,

It's no secret that Pete Ricketts plays by his own set of rules. Whether it's failing to file his personal financial disclosure forms on time or taking money from political action committees (PACs) while lambasting others for doing the same, Pete does what's best for Pete.

This tendency will be on display this week as the Douglas County Board of Equalization will rule on Pete's efforts to lower the property assessment on his Omaha home.

Pete bought the home in 1999 for $1.2 million in cash. The Douglas County Assessor valued the home at $1.18 million in 2002. The assessment falls within guidelines established by law that requires property to be assessed at least 92% of its actual value.

This was too high for Pete who sought to have the assessment lowered to about 50% of what he paid for it - to $624,960. The county finally settled on $900,000 - 75% of the purchase price three years earlier.

This year, the county again re-assessed property valuations and set Ricketts' at $1.19 million - still less than what Pete paid. However, this was too much for Pete who again appealed the assessment. The County Board of Equalization will make their final decision on this matter on Friday, July 21st.
The Nebraska Democratic Party yesterday ran a full page ad in the Omaha World Herald to bring attention to Pete's tax dodge. Click here to download a copy of the ad. While the ad is meant to be humorous, the underlying issue is not: Pete thinks he doesn't have to play by the same rules as everyone else.

(this is the link above): http://www.nebraskademocrats.org/page/file/91da057bbb7772598b_osm6yh2fq.pdf/July162006.pdf

We need your help.

Call the Douglas County Board of Equalization at 402-444-6510 this week to share your views on Pete's appeal. Pete can only cheat the system if we let him, so we have to make sure that doesn't happen.

Thank you.
With Warm Wishes,


Barry Rubin
Executive Director
Nebraska Democratic Party


Paid for by the Nebraska Democratic Party * http://www.nebraskademocrats.org
This communication was not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

[Pab Sungenis]

1. Well? Let us see the ad!

Linky!

[Omaha Steve]

3. Working link

I didn't get my edit in fast enough.

http://www.nebraskademocrats.org/page/file/91da057bbb7772598b_osm6yh2fq.pdf/July162006.pdf

[hughee99]

2. I'm a little confused...

So Pete appealed his assessment to the County board, and they seemingly ignored the law "The assessment falls within guidelines established by law that requires property to be assessed at least 92% of its actual value" and lowered the assessment. Since he's gotten away with it in the past, he's appealing it again. Sure, Pete's trying to get away with something here, but should I be more upset at what he's doing, or with the County board, which has the power to prevent this, but did not (in the past, anyway)? Anyone has the right to appeal their assessment, but isn't it the County boards job to make sure that this kind of stuff doesn't happen?

Admittedly, I'm not up on my Nebraska real estate law, so I may just be misunderstanding something here.

[Omaha Steve]

4. The fault lies with the Board of Equalization

as I understand it. It has I believe one County Board member only. I don't believe anyone else on it is elected. I have already called to make my complaint. My info was written down and will be passed to the equalization board.