Regulatory Reform Archives - Platte Institute

Legislature considers 2023 version of workforce licensing reform

This year marks the fourth consecutive legislative session that the Nebraska Legislature has heard and considered significant workforce licensing reform. The Platte Institute was engaged actively in that topic as early as 2016. LB16 was introduced by Senator Tom Briese and contains two main elements: universal recognition of licenses from out-of-state and a “fair chance”...

By Laura Ebke

4 Ways to Make Nebraska Compete with Anyone

As Nebraskans, we’re proud to say our state is the place for the Good Life. Over the years, Nebraska’s had its fair share of controversial mottoes and even license plates. But through it all, the concept of the “Good Life” has been considered about as good as it gets when it comes to capturing what...

By Jim Vokal

A View from Behind the Glass: What to Expect in the 108th Legislature

As we prepare for the new legislative session, Nebraska’s facing a substantially changed landscape in the Unicameral. There are 16 new state senators, which is nearly one in every three legislative seats. In addition, our governor’s office is transitioning and a wave of retirements is occurring for legislative employees responsible for the important behind the...

By Jim Vokal

Support Your Local Cottage Food Producer This Holiday Season

We are happy to share with you our 2022 Cottage Food Holiday Guide. The guide contains the offerings and contact information for over 80 Nebraska cottage food producers. These producers are a fraction of the over 1000 individuals who are now registered to operate cottage food businesses in Nebraska thanks to LB304. In 2019, the...

By Elizabeth Hallgren

No More Excuses: Post the Unicameral’s Meeting Videos Online

In 2022, the State of Nebraska made it easier for taxpayers to get involved in the process of how local property tax increases are decided, with the adoption of Truth in Taxation. For the first time ever, taxpayers had complete information about which tax entities were seeking major tax hikes, and where they could go...

By Jim Vokal

Nicole Fox on Why Transparent Governments Post Hearings Online

Today, we’re talking about transparency in government and the need to post legislative debate and hearings online. Nicole Fox, Director of Government Relations at The Platte Institute and a former Nebraska State Senator, shares her unique perspective of policy making from a variety of angles. Currently, Nebraska Public Media live streams Unicameral floor debates and...

By Jim Vokal

Nebraska’s Cottage Food Law Produces Opportunities

In 2019, the Platte Institute worked with Senator Sue Crawford to pass the Nebraska Cottage Food Law. LB304 created a registration framework allowing in-home producers of shelf-stable foods to sell their products legally beyond farmers’ markets. This opened up the opportunity for year-round sales and delivery–from the kitchen or via mail order or personal delivery....

By Laura Ebke

Which parts of Nebraska’s jobs market have recovered from the pandemic?

Nebraska’s economy added 2,600 jobs in June, driving the state closer to a full recovery of payroll jobs from the pandemic recession. If Nebraska’s economy made a similar gain in July, it will be back to its pre-pandemic jobs peak. Like other states, Nebraska’s jobs recovery has been uneven across industries. And as the recovery...

By Michael Lucci

Nebraska can build its workforce with licensing recognition

Nebraska is widely acknowledged to face one of the most severe labor shortages in the country. Even if every unemployed Nebraskan found work right this minute, there would be tens of thousands of jobs still unfilled. Although the nature of the labor market is currently changing all across the country, not every state is being...

By Laura Ebke

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...

3 Building Blocks for More Housing in Nebraska

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...

By Jim Vokal

Nebraska Broadband Progress Report with Commissioner Mary Ridder, Mike Hybl & Jim Ediger

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...

Go big for Nebraska’s small towns and businesses

Republished from Nebraska Examiner Even people born in Nebraska might struggle to find the village of Ohiowa on a state map. But this community of about 100 residents in Fillmore County has been host to visitors from all over the world, many who found their way thanks to Lazy Horse Brewing and Winery. The drinking and...

By Laura Ebke

Nebraska continues towards full jobs recovery from pandemic recession

Nebraska gained 400 non-farm payroll jobs in March and its unemployment rate fell from 2.1% to 2.0%, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The low unemployment rate ties Nebraska with Utah as the states with the lowest jobless rates. In addition, Nebraska’s strong February jobs gain was revised slightly upwards, thus...

By Michael Lucci