Blueprint Nebraska

Nebraskanomics: Iowa’s Incredible Tax Reform Turnaround

Nebraskanomics: Iowa’s Incredible Tax Reform Turnaround

Chris Ingstad of Iowans for Tax Relief joins Jim Vokal to update Nebraskans about major movements on tax policy in the Hawkeye State. A transcript of this episode is available below. If you’d like to watch this episode on YouTube, press play below. Or you can listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts....

4 Smart Ways Blueprint Nebraska Fixes Our Tax System

4 Smart Ways Blueprint Nebraska Fixes Our Tax System

Nebraska’s tax system funds critical government services. Though few people enjoy paying taxes, it’s worth tolerating a certain level of grumbling—and a certain level of sacrifice—to meet our commitments to the common good.  But for a long time, many different groups of Nebraskans have been trying to tell their leaders they’re not happy with the...

By Jim Vokal

Voters support Blueprint Nebraska by 4 to 1 margin

Voters support Blueprint Nebraska by 4 to 1 margin

In a December 2021 poll, Nebraskans said there’s a relationship between the state’s high taxes and its economic challenges with growing the workforce and population. These voters agreed that eliminating state income taxes on the first $50,000 individuals earn would help us complete for workers. These are the same 812 voters who previously told us...

By Jim Vokal

Nebraskanomics: Sen. Anna Wishart on Regulatory Sandboxes

Nebraskanomics: Sen. Anna Wishart on Regulatory Sandboxes

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the rulemaking process for changes in technology, and make sure innovative firms or business models aren’t stifled by outdated regulations.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...

Unicameral approves inheritance tax cut

Unicameral approves inheritance tax cut

The Nebraska Legislature has given final approval to Sen. Robert Clements’ Legislative Bill 310, which reduces Nebraska’s county-levied inheritance tax. The bill passed by a vote of 37-1. It now awaits the governor’s signature. With an amendment provided by the Legislature’s Revenue Committee and provisions from another inheritance tax-related bill by state Sen. Wendy DeBoer,...

By Jim Vokal

Bill would post Nebraska Legislature videos online

Bill would post Nebraska Legislature videos online

Senators serving on the Unicameral’s Executive Board of the Legislative Council recently met for a public hearing on Sen. Tom Brewer’s LB777, a bill that would require the creation of an online video archive of their proceedings in time for the 2023 session. The Executive Board is a special legislative committee that deals with the...

By Nicole Fox

A Blueprint for Better Broadband in Nebraska

A Blueprint for Better Broadband in Nebraska

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...

State Senator Anna Wishart proposes regulatory sandbox for Nebraska startups

State Senator Anna Wishart proposes regulatory sandbox for Nebraska startups

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,...

By Nicole Fox

70% of Nebraskans say tax and workforce issues are linked

70% of Nebraskans say tax and workforce issues are linked

Is tax reform a tired trope in Nebraska politics, or do Nebraskans really consider the state’s tax system out of step with their economic concerns? A new Platte Institute poll shows most Nebraska voters do think tax policy is part of the reason the state struggles to compete and grow its workforce, and there’s broad...

By Jim Vokal

Nebraska’s 2022 Tax Agenda with Tax Foundation’s Jared Walczak

Nebraska’s 2022 Tax Agenda with Tax Foundation’s Jared Walczak

The Tax Foundation’s Annual State Business Tax Climate Index tracks which states offer the most competitive tax codes. Vice President for State Projects Jared Walczak joins Jim to discuss Nebraska’s unfinished business in 2022. A transcript of this discussion is available below. You can also listen to the audio version of Nebraskanomics on Apple Podcasts...

Poll: 78% of Nebraska voters favor ending county inheritance tax

Poll: 78% of Nebraska voters favor ending county inheritance tax

Nebraska lawmakers are set to debate Sen. Rob Clements’ Legislative Bill 310, which would reduce the inheritance tax levied by county governments. Meanwhile, some legislators are supporting measures to end the inheritance tax altogether, including Sen. Joni Albrecht’s recently filed AM1511, which would phase out the tax by 2028. A December 2021 Platte Institute poll...

By Jim Vokal

How Blueprint Nebraska Will Grow the Economy

How Blueprint Nebraska Will Grow the Economy

What needs to change to make Nebraska a more attractive place to live, work, start a business, invest for the future, and put down roots? Of course, there isn’t one single answer. That’s why today, we’re talking about the many different ways Blueprint Nebraska can help grow the economy by harnessing our strengths, overcoming our...

By Jim Vokal

Blueprint Nebraska’s Jim Greisch on Nebraska’s Missing Tax Relief

Blueprint Nebraska’s Jim Greisch on Nebraska’s Missing Tax Relief

CPA Jim Greisch discusses why more than $50 million in property tax relief credits have gone unclaimed so far, and the alternatives offered by Blueprint Nebraska’s tax modernization plan. A transcript of the discussion is available below. You can watch the video on YouTube or listen to the podcast episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Mentioned on this episode:...

(Webinar) A Place to Live: Challenges & Opportunities for Housing in Nebraska

(Webinar) A Place to Live: Challenges & Opportunities for Housing in Nebraska

Valentine, Nebraska Mayor Kyle Arganbright, Dr. Emily Hamilton of the Mercatus Center, Kathy Mesner of Mesner Development, and Grace Thomas of the Verdis Group and Omaha’s Missing Middle Housing Campaign discuss the role housing will play in the growth of Nebraska communities, and in some cases, their economic survival. This webinar is also available in...