Today, we’re talking about transparency in government and the need to post legislative debate and hearings online. Nicole Fox, Director of Government Relations at The Platte Institute and a former Nebraska State Senator, shares her unique perspective of policy making from a variety of angles. Currently, Nebraska Public Media live streams Unicameral floor debates and...
In 2019, the Platte Institute worked with Senator Sue Crawford to pass the Nebraska Cottage Food Law. LB304 created a registration framework allowing in-home producers of shelf-stable foods to sell their products legally beyond farmers’ markets. This opened up the opportunity for year-round sales and delivery–from the kitchen or via mail order or personal delivery....
Nebraska’s economy added 2,600 jobs in June, driving the state closer to a full recovery of payroll jobs from the pandemic recession. If Nebraska’s economy made a similar gain in July, it will be back to its pre-pandemic jobs peak. Like other states, Nebraska’s jobs recovery has been uneven across industries. And as the recovery...
Nebraska is widely acknowledged to face one of the most severe labor shortages in the country. Even if every unemployed Nebraskan found work right this minute, there would be tens of thousands of jobs still unfilled. Although the nature of the labor market is currently changing all across the country, not every state is being...
Eli Vedral, a student-athlete at Creighton University, joins Jim to discuss how a change in Nebraska legislation enabled him to start a home-based baking business, Kookaburra Cookies. A transcript of this episode is available below. If you’d like to watch this episode on YouTube, press play. Or you can listen to the podcast on Spotify...
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Nebraska communities of all sizes were experiencing housing shortages, and from 2008 to 2018, Nebraska saw the 6th fastest increase in home prices among all states. That’s why the Blueprint Nebraska economic initiative has set the goal of increasing the housing supply and making our state a national leader for...
On a special episode of Nebraskanomics, Jim Smith asks three experts on telecommunications and regulation about the state’s progress on grant programs that expand broadband connectivity. Nebraska Public Service Commissioner Mary Ridder, Nebraska Legislature Transportation and Telecommunications Committee Legal Counsel Mike Hybl, and Hamilton Communications General Counsel Jim Ediger are our guests. A transcript of...
Republished from Nebraska Examiner Even people born in Nebraska might struggle to find the village of Ohiowa on a state map. But this community of about 100 residents in Fillmore County has been host to visitors from all over the world, many who found their way thanks to Lazy Horse Brewing and Winery. The drinking and...
Nebraska gained 400 non-farm payroll jobs in March and its unemployment rate fell from 2.1% to 2.0%, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The low unemployment rate ties Nebraska with Utah as the states with the lowest jobless rates. In addition, Nebraska’s strong February jobs gain was revised slightly upwards, thus...
Platte Institute Senior Fellow Laura Ebke says there’s more the state can do to welcome workers with career and military experience to join Nebraska’s workforce. A transcript of this episode is available below. If you’d like to watch this episode on YouTube, press play. Or you can listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple...
A Nebraska state senator is proposing one way state agencies can ready the rulemaking process for changes in technology, and make sure innovative firms or business models aren’t stifled by outdated regulations. Click here to read a transcript of this episode. You can also listen to the audio version of Nebraskanomics on Apple Podcasts and...
Foreword by Jim Smith Jim Smith is Chief Strategy Officer at the Platte Institute and former President of Blueprint Nebraska. He also previously served as a State Senator and chaired the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature. In 2018 and 2019, I had the opportunity to work with business leaders from across...
Nebraska state Sen. Anna Wishart has introduced a bill to make Nebraska a more inviting state for innovative entrepreneurs and startups. LB1127 would establish what is known as an industry agnostic or all-inclusive regulatory sandbox in Nebraska. What is a regulatory sandbox, and how does it work? Regulatory sandboxes are gaining momentum in many industries,...
While the nation sits at a 4.6% unemployment rate, Nebraska’s October unemployment rate again sets a new state and national record for the lowest rate at 1.9%. One year ago, Nebraska’s rate was 3.6%. It is important to note that the number of people unemployed in the state is far below the number of job...