Nebraskanomics

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:...

Nebraskanomics: Growing Nebraska’s Workforce with Mike Beyer

Nebraskanomics: Growing Nebraska’s Workforce with Mike Beyer

With more than 50,000 jobs currently available in Nebraska, Jim discusses ways to remove barriers to welcoming more workers to Nebraska with Navy veteran and Nebraska-licensed electrician Mike Beyer. A transcript of the discussion can be found below. You can watch the video on YouTube or listen to the podcast episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Jim...

Nebraskanomics: Taxes That Lose Money for Nebraska

Nebraskanomics: Taxes That Lose Money for Nebraska

Tax attorney Tom Yamachika of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii explains how the types of taxes states have, or the way they are designed, can cause states to lose revenue or to impose higher tax rates than necessary. A transcript of the discussion can be found below. You can watch the video on YouTube or listen to...

Nebraskanomics: A GAAP in Nebraska Budgeting Practices

Nebraskanomics: A GAAP in Nebraska Budgeting Practices

William Glasgall and former New York Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch of the Volcker Alliance join Jim to discuss why a major influx of federal money might be mismanaged under current local government financial practices. A transcript of the discussion can be found below. You can watch the video on YouTube or listen to the podcast episode...

Making Cents: Why Nebraska Should Modernize the Sales Tax, Pt. 2

Making Cents: Why Nebraska Should Modernize the Sales Tax, Pt. 2

In our last episode, we discussed some of the practical and economic reasons why Nebraska should eliminate more of its sales tax exemptions. Now, let’s talk about crafting a vision for a better tax system, and how modernizing the sales tax fits into any plan to make bold changes in our state. You can watch...

By Jim Vokal

Making Cents: Why Nebraska Should Modernize the Sales Tax, Pt. 1

Making Cents: Why Nebraska Should Modernize the Sales Tax, Pt. 1

Most people take for granted that the sales tax is the tax we pay when we buy things. But if you look carefully at your receipts, you’ll begin to notice most of the things you buy in Nebraska don’t have sales tax collected on them. This is also known as a sales tax exemption. On...

By Jim Vokal

Nebraska Angels’ Steph Luebbe on Investing in Entrepreneurs

Nebraska Angels’ Steph Luebbe on Investing in Entrepreneurs

Nebraska Angels Executive Director Steph Luebbe discusses the growth of angel investing in Nebraska and the resources available for firm founders and aspiring entrepreneurs. You can watch the video on YouTube or listen to the podcast episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. A transcript of the interview is available below. Mentioned on this episode: Nebraska Angels Invest Nebraska Jim...

News in Nebraska with Matt Wynn of the Flatwater Free Press

News in Nebraska with Matt Wynn of the Flatwater Free Press

A new nonprofit journalism outlet will help to fill gaps in Nebraska’s media market by telling statewide stories and improving government transparency. Former USA Today and Omaha World-Herald data journalist Matt Wynn discusses the launch of The Flatwater Free Press. You can watch the video on YouTube or listen to the podcast episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. A...

Nebraska’s New Truth in Taxation Law

Nebraska’s New Truth in Taxation Law

The property tax transparency law called Truth in Taxation is new to Nebraska, but a similar law has been on the books in Utah since 1985. Two Utah-based experts, Rusty Cannon of the Utah Taxpayers Association, and former Utah state Sen. Howard Stephenson, join Jim to discuss how the policy has worked in the Beehive...

Case Study: How We Helped Create More Jobs in Nebraska

Case Study: How We Helped Create More Jobs in Nebraska

Nebraska has more jobs available than people to fill them. That can make job creation seem like an unimportant issue for the state.  But for Nebraska to grow and meet its workforce needs, it needs to offer economic opportunities for people from all walks of life and all communities. Recent census figures show Nebraska trails...

By Jim Vokal

Nebraskanomics: Former State Sen. Jim Smith on Next Steps for Blueprint Nebraska

Nebraskanomics: Former State Sen. Jim Smith on Next Steps for Blueprint Nebraska

Former Nebraska state Sen. Jim Smith is joining the Platte Institute as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. He discusses his past work at Blueprint Nebraska and how its initiatives are being carried over to the Platte Institute. You can watch the video on YouTube here or listen to the podcast episode on...

5 Essential Steps to Reform Taxes in Nebraska

5 Essential Steps to Reform Taxes in Nebraska

Do you ever wonder why Nebraska doesn’t seem to have its act together when it comes to taxes? Politicians want you to think it’s a red or blue problem. It’s not. It’s a lack of vision problem.  That’s why I’m sharing the five essential steps to reform Nebraska taxes. Stay tuned until the end to...

By Jim Vokal

Podcast: Post-Pandemic Economics with Jeremy Horpedahl

Podcast: Post-Pandemic Economics with Jeremy Horpedahl

Dr. Jeremy Horpedahl, Assistant Professor of Economics at Central Arkansas University, joins Jim to discuss some fast-moving economic indicators, and why the big picture issues may matter more in the months and years ahead. You can watch the video on YouTube here or listen to the podcast episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Mentioned on this episode: Economist Writing Every...

Taxpayers Beware: 3 Issues You Should Be Concerned About in Nebraska

Taxpayers Beware: 3 Issues You Should Be Concerned About in Nebraska

Do you think Nebraska taxpayers would like to pay $1 billion more in taxes each year?  Unfortunately, some groups and policymakers in our state have pushed for this without many people even knowing about it. That’s why experts at the Platte Institute go down to the Capitol to testify against expensive policies threatening economic opportunity...

By Jim Vokal