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
Where is the Money Going? Tracking COVID-19 Relief Funds in Nebraska
Where is the Money Going? Tracking COVID-19 Relief Funds in Nebraska
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit our nation, Congress reacted by enacting a historic $2 trillion spending plan to keep our nation from falling into financial ruin. In total, there have been four pieces[1] of federal legislation enacted with the intent to help individuals and states combat the health and economic crisis that occurred, of which...
By Sarah Curry
Nebraska PPP loan data show CARES Act tax policies are essential
Nebraska PPP loan data show CARES Act tax policies are essential
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is one of the largest parts of the federal government’s CARES Act relief legislation. The PPP provides loans intended to help small businesses—those with 500 or fewer employees—maintain their payroll, hire back any employees who were laid off, and cover applicable overhead expenses such as rent and utilities. Detailed data...
By Sarah Curry, Jaliya Nagahawatte
The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the Nebraska Economy: Third Cut
The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the Nebraska Economy: Third Cut
Dear Nebraskans, Our state and nation have been actively fighting COVID-19 since mid-March. We are getting a handle on the public health aspect of the crisis, yet the economic impact is still being realized as businesses begin to reopen. As more data becomes available, we can start to measure the impact this crisis is having...
By Ernie Goss, Scott Strain
The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the Nebraska Economy: Second Cut
The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the Nebraska Economy: Second Cut
The second installment in the series. Ernie Goss & Scott Strain model the impact of COVID-19 on Nebraska jobs, economic activity, and tax revenues.
By Ernie Goss, Scott Strain
The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the Nebraska Economy: First Cut
The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the Nebraska Economy: First Cut
Ernie Goss & Scott Strain model the impact of COVID-19 on Nebraska jobs, economic activity, and tax revenues.
By Ernie Goss, Scott Strain
Nebraska’s Sales Tax
Nebraska’s Sales Tax
Reducing reliance on the property tax through ending Nebraska’s many sales tax exemptions can help create the right environment for revenue-neutral tax reform.
By Sarah Curry, Adam Weinberg
Get Real About Property Taxes, 2nd Edition
Get Real About Property Taxes, 2nd Edition
The long history of Nebraska's property tax and polling data from Nebraskans both provide insight into ways the Legislature can pursue major property tax reform.
By Sarah Curry, Adam Weinberg
Blueprint Nebraska’s Growing the Good Life Report
Blueprint Nebraska’s Growing the Good Life Report
Nebraska’s prosperity is built on its people, land and location. Yet challenges, especially people-related challenges, threaten our ability to sustain this success. How can we sustain—and grow—Nebraska’s success? The Blueprint Nebraska’s Growing the Good Life report contains a strategic plan available in a summary format (20 minute read) or in the full report (1 hour...