These states set the example for a better Nebraska tax system
Today, the 2021 State Business Tax Climate Index was released. Nebraska’s rank has remained unchanged from last year, which is unsurprising, because structural reform has not been accomplished in the Cornhusker State. However, states rising in the rankings, like Kentucky and North Carolina, have significantly overhauled their tax codes and have seen the positive benefits...
Ranking shows no improvements to Nebraska’s business tax climate
In any organization, maintaining the status quo can create an opening for competitors to gain on you and even surpass you. That is exactly what’s happening to Nebraska with our latest ranking in the Tax Foundation’s 2021 State Business Tax Climate Index. In 2020, despite passing major tax legislation, Nebraska lawmakers did nothing to structurally...
Tax Foundation calculations prompt explicit response from rapper 50 Cent
Many of us focus on the most hated tax in Nebraska, which is the property tax, but did you know the income tax can change some people’s minds about business decisions and even who they vote for? A tweet from rapper-turned-actor and entrepreneur 50 Cent implies he’d prefer the Trump tax policy based on analysis of...
Nebraska’s September unemployment rate remains nation’s lowest
The Nebraska Department of Labor reports that September’s state unemployment rate remains the lowest in the country, at 3.5%. Last month’s rate is half a percentage point higher than the state unemployment rate was this time last year, but continues a trend back toward pre-pandemic employment levels. The department reports that education and health, professional...
Mobile nail salon shows the beauty of entrepreneurship
Just as the Great Recession gave rise to a generation of food truck entrepreneurs, Jadomté Mobile Nail Bar is finding its niche during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of providing manicures and pedicures from a brick and mortar location, owner and nail artist Sabrina Mahupete built the Jadomté salon inside a trailer, allowing her to hitch...
Nebraska has spent half its CARES Act funds, but more transparency is needed
Where did all the CARES Act money go in Nebraska? Federal taxpayers in Nebraska have a right to know the answer. The Platte Institute published a report calling for more transparency in mid-September, and less than a month later the state published its dashboard providing that added transparency. The state’s dashboard shows that $587 million...
The Nebraska Department of Revenue released their report for September’s 2020 General Fund tax revenues today, and the state is continuing to recover from the recession we entered just a short 6 months ago. According to the department, the actual tax revenues are 5.4% higher for the fiscal year than projected by the state’s revenue forecasting...
Republican and Democratic governors say licensing reforms are “jobs bills”
Many states have undertaken a series of occupational licensing reforms across the country—some comprehensive and some piecemeal. From regular licensing reviews to expanding licensing opportunities, to eliminating licenses that no longer make sense in today’s context, to removing exclusions for those who have felonies in their backgrounds, many policymakers recognize that licensing requirements can limit...
Property taxes are on the ballot in multiple states, but not Nebraska
Most of the focus for the election this year has been on the presidential race, but did you know many states have property tax initiatives on their ballot this year? California Proposition 15 would undo the protections of California’s historic Proposition 13 property tax limitations and introduce “split roll” property taxation—commercial properties would be assessed...
Nebraska state senators should make to-go cocktail rule permanent
The service industry makes up a large part of Nebraska’s economy, and as noted in a previous policy brief, was heavily impacted by COVID-19. During the early months of the COVID pandemic, both restaurants and bars suffered significant revenue losses. While Gov. Ricketts did not completely shut down the state, the Directed Health Measures (DHM’s)...
Nebraska State Senator Sue Crawford wins Platte Institute Legislative Achievement Award
Nebraska state Sen. Sue Crawford is the winner of the Platte Institute’s inaugural Legislative Achievement Award. The Legislative Achievement Award recognizes policy leaders who are making a positive difference for Nebraskans. Crawford represents Legislative District 45 in the Bellevue area. In 2019, Crawford was the sponsor of Legislative Bill 304, which expanded Nebraska’s cottage food...
Omaha-area entrepreneur wins 2020 Connie Brown Freedom Award
The winner of the Platte Institute’s 2020 Connie Brown Freedom Award is Marc Nda. Nda, of Bennington, is the owner of Omaha and Lincoln-based Dignity Home Care. Nda became Nebraska’s leading advocate for ending the state’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity law for intrastate transportation services, also known as the Competitor’s Veto. This type of...