How the Platte Institute Can Help Nebraskans with Elizabeth Hallgren
Platte Institute Community Engagement Director Elizabeth Hallgren joins Jim Vokal to talk about her experiences as an educator and small business advocate, and how Nebraskans can stay informed and help remove barriers to success in their state. A transcript of this episode is available below. If you’d like to watch this episode on YouTube, press...
Tracking Waste, Fraud & Abuse in Nebraska with Addie Costello & Deputy Auditor Craig Kubicek
City clerks in 17 small Nebraska towns have been caught stealing from taxpayers in recent years. Addie Costello of the Flatwater Free Press and Nebraska Deputy Auditor Craig Kubicek discuss ways Nebraskans can trust but verify what government is doing with your money, and what to do if you see something that might be wrong.
Eli Vedral of Kookaburra Cookies on Nebraska Cottage Food Opportunities
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...
Nebraska’s Primary Problem, with Unite America’s Tyler Fisher
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...
Laura Ebke on Solutions for Nebraska’s Worker Shortage
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...
Michael Lucci on Making Nebraska Taxes More Competitive
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...
3 Reasons to Post Nebraska Legislature Videos Online
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....
Podcast: Jim Vokal & KFAB’s Ian Swanson talk transparency in the Nebraska Legislature
Jim Vokal updates KFAB listeners on legislation to post the Unicameral’s meeting videos online, how Nebraska’s progress on tax issues compares with its neighbors, and one change senators can make to address the state’s workforce shortage. Sign the petition and tell the Unicameral to post its meeting videos online for all to see.
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...
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...
Civic Nebraska’s Nancy Petitto on The Unify Challenge
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...
Nebraskanomics: Ernie Goss & Erin Norman on Inflation
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...