Election policy expert Tyler Fisher, from the nonpartisan reform group Unite America, joins Jim Vokal to discuss why state and federal election systems often incentivize policy outcomes that leave most Americans dissatisfied, and what Nebraska can do to give the majority of voters more say in who represents them in Lincoln and Washington. A transcript...
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...
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...
Platte Institute Senior Policy Advisor Michael Lucci tells Jim Vokal an increasingly mobile workforce is prompting more states to take bold action on tax reform. 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...
Every bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature receives a public hearing. In many ways, this is an extraordinary public service Nebraska offers. Nebraskans can bring numerous policy ideas to state senators, and as long as they can find a member willing to introduce legislation, those ideas will be considered by a legislative committee. Members of...
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....
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...
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...
Civic Nebraska is sponsoring an online activity that pairs up Nebraskans from different points of view, to create conversation and build understanding statewide. Nancy Petitto joins Jim Vokal to discuss The Unify Challenge. Visit UnifyNebraska.com to learn more and find sign-up information. A transcript of this discussion is available below. You can also listen to the audio...
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss and Erin Norman, a polling and messaging expert for the State Policy Network, join Jim to discuss the impact of rising inflation on Nebraska’s economy and voter sentiments. A transcript of this discussion is available below. You can also listen to the audio version of Nebraskanomics on Apple Podcasts and...
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...
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...
The chair of the Unicameral’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee joins Jim to discuss the financial picture for Nebraska and the qualities that he’d suggest his colleagues look for in a successor for leading the committee. A transcript of the discussion is available below. You can watch the video on YouTube or listen to the podcast episode on...
Tom Henning, a Kearney-based food industry executive, serves on the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board, which projects how much tax revenue the state will bring in each year. He joins Jim to discuss the latest revenue numbers, how the board uses economic data to make its estimates, and what current economic trends suggest may be...