The state tax revolution sweeps across the Great Plains
The state tax revolution sweeps across the Great Plains
Nebraska lawmakers took a key step towards historic tax reform last week. Revenue Committee lawmakers voted to consolidate several tax reforms into LB 754 and to advance the tax package out of committee on Thursday, March 16. Nebraska’s legislative progress comes not a moment too soon, as major tax reform proposals are advancing across the...
By Michael Lucci
Nebraska’s tax code should encourage remote workers to move in
Nebraska’s tax code should encourage remote workers to move in
Nebraska has one of the most aggressive regimes for taxation of non-resident income in the country, according to new rankings from the National Taxpayers Union. While raising tax revenues from non-Nebraskans might seem like found money, it also ensures that many non-Nebraskans will never visit Nebraska for work purposes. Tax compliance is heavy for remote...
By Michael Lucci
How We Vote: A Platte Institute Study
How We Vote: A Platte Institute Study
In recent years, states around the country have started experimenting with different methods of voting. Ranked Choice Voting. Instant Runoff Voting. Open Primaries. Approval Voting. All of these methods of voting are being proposed or experimented with in an assortment of configurations in different jurisdictions. From local elections to statewide elections; from primary elections to...
By Laura Ebke
Nebraska community college property tax repeal: simplifying the tax code to deliver property tax relief
Nebraska community college property tax repeal: simplifying the tax code to deliver property tax relief
High Resolution Downloadable Study Here. Introduction Nebraska’s property tax burden is the central issue in the state’s tax debate. Property taxes are high and unevenly distributed, making it hard to develop clean solutions for direct tax reduction. Indeed, legislative action in the last several sessions shows that Nebraska lawmakers are working to tame the state’s...
By Michael Lucci
108th Nebraska Legislature Issue Guide
108th Nebraska Legislature Issue Guide
The elections are over, and Nebraskans now know who will be representing them in the Nebraska Legislature. People run for public office for a variety of reasons. For many, the decision is because they want to make a difference and help others. For some, they feel that elected officials currently serving have let them down....
By Nicole Fox
Michael Lucci on the Future of Nebraska’s Tax Policy
Michael Lucci on the Future of Nebraska’s Tax Policy
Nebraska ranks 39th in the country for property tax competitiveness. How do we modernize our tax policy to keep and attract more people? Today, we’re talking about the future of Nebraska’s tax policy and how we compare to other states. Given the changes in the economy, states are competing to keep their current population and...
By Jim Vokal
Nebraska’s K-12 Finance System Lacks Transparency and Is Too Dependent on Property Taxes
Nebraska’s K-12 Finance System Lacks Transparency and Is Too Dependent on Property Taxes
For decades, Nebraska’s public school funding system has exerted major influence over the state’s tax policy. In 1989, the state adopted the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Act (TEEOSA), in an attempt to alleviate disparities in property tax burdens and education funding between districts by having the state take on a larger responsibility in funding...
By Christian Barnard
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...
Blueprint Nebraska’s Report on the Economic and Fiscal Impact of Tax Modernization
Blueprint Nebraska’s Report on the Economic and Fiscal Impact of Tax Modernization
The complete economic and fiscal impact report on the Blueprint Nebraska tax modernization plan by Regional Economic Models, Inc. is available in PDF format at this link. This page provides Blueprint Nebraska’s summary of that report. Nebraska has an outdated tax system that features relatively high taxes and inefficient and unpredictable funding of essential government services....
Omaha and Lincoln’s Growing Challenge in Pension Funding
Omaha and Lincoln’s Growing Challenge in Pension Funding
Executive Summary Public pension debts from three major municipal plans in Nebraska are approaching $1 billion, and an analysis of Omaha’s two municipal systems and Lincoln’s public safety plan suggest that this shortfall is likely to continue to expand unless policymakers make meaningful changes to how the city funds and manages the retirement plans. In...
By Zachary Christensen, Jordan Campbell
Death and Taxes: Nebraska’s Inheritance Tax
Death and Taxes: Nebraska’s Inheritance Tax
Executive Summary Nebraska has been seeking ways to modernize its tax code for several years, and unfortunately, the inheritance tax has often been left out of the analysis. The inheritance tax is a worthy subject for tax modernization and reform because only six states continue to have this tax: Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey,...
By Sarah Curry