Taxpayers should keep as much money as possible

It's a commentary on modern government that a proposed tax cut raises concerns about its "cost." We suppose that's akin to calling government expenditures an "investment."

Nebraska lawmakers have a long list of ideas for the state's projected $540 million cash reserve, including $200 million for teacher pay as well as a number of other pet projects, but one proposed by Gov. Dave Heineman makes the most sense.

The governor would boost property tax credit to about $151 per $100,000 of property value, up from the $83 lawmakers approved last year.

Lawmakers are correctly concerned that the projected cash reserve may be too optimistic, that the economy may slow enough to keep the state coffers from becoming that full. A new projection due out Feb. 22 should make the situation more clear.

And, legislators like Patrick Engel of South Sioux City are correct in that property tax rebates don't address the true issue, which is government overspending. Others see the need to encourage local government entities to consolidate with each other, although school consolidations are a sensitive issue in greater Nebraska.

But State Budget Administrator Gerry Oligmueler is correct in urging the Appropriations Committee to make tax relief a priority.

That's especially important in light of the natural tendency for lawmakers to maintain control over as many dollars as possible.

But it's always better for Lincoln to leave as much money with the taxpayers as possible. A tax cut is not a "cost," it's a savings where it really counts.