Summertime, and the living isn't so easy at the State Capitol

Summer is usually a relaxing time in Lincoln.

College students have left, state lawmakers have gone home, the weather gets hot, the backyard tomatoes get ripe, and the biggest debate around town is whether this is the year the Huskers become relevant again in football.

Optimism always abounds in the pre-season, before the first kickoff.

But not sure the same optimism accompanies the special session Gov. Jim Pillen has convened to address the state's traditionally high property taxes.

Every year, state senators tackle a variety of ideas to cut property taxes, and every year they chip away at th...