An article in the New York Times today suggests that the Biden administration is looking carefully at issuing an executive order aimed at “increasing competition in the labor market.” The order would address the issue of both noncompete agreements and of unnecessary occupational licensing restrictions. Arguably, both of these things prevent workers from looking for...
Nebraska has more jobs available than people to fill them. That can make job creation seem like an unimportant issue for the state. But for Nebraska to grow and meet its workforce needs, it needs to offer economic opportunities for people from all walks of life and all communities. Recent census figures show Nebraska trails...
The first session of the 107th Nebraska Legislature has adjourned Sine Die, concluding regular legislative business in Lincoln until 2022. Now that all the legislating (except the forthcoming special session on redistricting) is complete, let’s summarize some of the ways senators expanded economic opportunities and freedoms for Nebraskans in 2021. During the session, the Platte Institute weighed...
The hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading many states including Nebraska to allow restaurants and bars to sell cocktails and/or spirits to-go to generate more revenue. Today, state lawmakers gave final approval to a bill making that temporary regulatory relief measure a permanent policy in Nebraska, along with...
A series of stories and studies released recently suggest a grim future ahead for rural Nebraska if the state, counties, and cities don’t make it easier for young people to return to their hometowns. A recent analysis of census data shows that 78% of the counties in Nebraska (or 72 of the 93 counties) lost...
Platte Institute Senior Fellow Laura Ebke joined Bud Synhorst of the Lincoln Independent Business Association to discuss Nebraska’s progress on job licensing reform and an advancing property tax transparency measure.
Jo Ellen Stock, Assistant Vice President of State and Local Taxes for Union Pacific, and Lori Scott, an Omaha-area philanthropist with a background in education and health care, have been elected to the Platte Institute’s board of directors. The board of directors currently has 11 members who are responsible for overseeing the organization’s mission and...
A recent study published by The Center for Public Integrity suggests that licensing restrictions for Professional Engineers in many states may be disproportionately limiting the opportunities for Black engineers. Take the story of Ida Habtemichael, who has spent 14 years working as an engineer for Micron Technology, but who would have difficulty getting licensed as...
Nebraska Extension’s Cindy Brison joins Jim Vokal to discuss a training program that helps Nebraskans start businesses under the state’s expanded cottage food law. Mentioned on this episode: Nebraska Extension Cottage Food Law Training Home Baking Law Gives Rise to New Cottage Businesses
Last week, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts’ administration announced a new method for “credentialing” journalists to participate in gubernatorial press conferences. The new policy would require those who wish to have credentials to submit answers to questions about their organization’s business model, as well as a notarized letter from their manager. The policy was apparently in...
The Nebraska Legislature has unanimously passed a bill supported by the Platte Institute which makes pandemic emergency changes to telehealth regulations permanent. LB400 had previously been advanced out of the Health and Human Services Committee and prioritized by its sponsor, Sen. John Arch. Prior to the pandemic, accessing telehealth services meant that individuals had to...
The Platte Institute follows the action on most occupational licensing bills moving through the Legislature, as well as legislation introduced in other states. Since we’re just past half-way through the 90-day legislative session, a progress report seems in order. Sen. Rita Sanders’ LB389, introduced at the request of the governor, is moving through the Legislature...
Someday, you might have a conversation with a loved one too young to remember 2020. Maybe you’ll recall your online visits with the people you missed. Victoria Kerber just turned five years old recently. For her, getting online during the pandemic meant learning how to one day share her own story. Victoria has a rare...
A measure expanding access to telehealth services in Nebraska has been advanced from the Health and Human Services Committee and now awaits legislative debate. The Platte Institute was one of twelve organizations providing testimony in support of Sen. John Arch’s LB400. Today, the Sarpy County senator gave the bill his priority designation. Senators are able...