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 Nebraska has an outdated tax system that features relatively high taxes and inefficient and unpredictable funding of essential government services....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
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