Regulatory Reform

Nebraska continues towards full jobs recovery from pandemic recession

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

Laura Ebke on Solutions for Nebraska’s Worker Shortage

Laura Ebke on Solutions for Nebraska’s Worker Shortage

Platte Institute Senior Fellow Laura Ebke says there’s more the state can do to welcome workers with career and military experience to join Nebraska’s workforce. 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 or Apple...

Nebraskanomics: Sen. Anna Wishart on Regulatory Sandboxes

Nebraskanomics: Sen. Anna Wishart on Regulatory Sandboxes

A Nebraska state senator is proposing one way state agencies can ready the rulemaking process for changes in technology, and make sure innovative firms or business models aren’t stifled by outdated regulations. Click here to read a transcript of this episode. You can also listen to the audio version of Nebraskanomics on Apple Podcasts and...

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...

State Senator Anna Wishart proposes regulatory sandbox for Nebraska startups

State Senator Anna Wishart proposes regulatory sandbox for Nebraska startups

Nebraska state Sen. Anna Wishart has introduced a bill to make Nebraska a more inviting state for innovative entrepreneurs and startups. LB1127 would establish what is known as an industry agnostic or all-inclusive regulatory sandbox in Nebraska. What is a regulatory sandbox, and how does it work? Regulatory sandboxes are gaining momentum in many industries,...

By Nicole Fox

Nebraska unemployment hits record low again

Nebraska unemployment hits record low again

While the nation sits at a 4.6% unemployment rate, Nebraska’s October unemployment rate again sets a new state and national record for the lowest rate at 1.9%. One year ago, Nebraska’s rate was 3.6%. It is important to note that the number of people unemployed in the state is far below the number of job...

By Sarah Curry

Senator John McCollister: Nebraska should adopt universal recognition of job licensing

Senator John McCollister: Nebraska should adopt universal recognition of job licensing

The Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee of the Nebraska Legislature held a hearing today on an interim study resolution, LR191, sponsored by Sen. John McCollister. LR191’s purpose was to explore the effect that universal recognition would have on groups that have traditionally faced barriers to occupational licensing, like those with military experience,  low-income residents...

By Laura Ebke

Interim Legislative Testimony LR191: examining the effect of universal recognition of occupational licenses

Interim Legislative Testimony LR191: examining the effect of universal recognition of occupational licenses

Chairman Brewer and Members of the Government Committee. My name is Laura Ebke, and I am the Senior Fellow at the Platte Institute. I focus most of my attention on barriers to entry for businesses and individuals where occupational licensing is concerned. As many of you know, during my time in the Legislature, I served...

By Laura Ebke

(Webinar) A Place to Live: Challenges & Opportunities for Housing in Nebraska

(Webinar) A Place to Live: Challenges & Opportunities for Housing in Nebraska

Valentine, Nebraska Mayor Kyle Arganbright, Dr. Emily Hamilton of the Mercatus Center, Kathy Mesner of Mesner Development, and Grace Thomas of the Verdis Group and Omaha’s Missing Middle Housing Campaign discuss the role housing will play in the growth of Nebraska communities, and in some cases, their economic survival. This webinar is also available in...

September 2021: Nebraska unemployment reached new record low

September 2021: Nebraska unemployment reached new record low

In August, Nebraska saw its lowest unemployment rate since the state started keeping records of unemployment data in 1976. At 2.2%, the August rate was also the lowest in the nation. Nebraska’s September unemployment figures have now been released and the state is again posting the lowest unemployment rate in the nation and the lowest rate...

By Sarah Curry

Nebraska veteran wins battle for civilian career opportunity

Nebraska veteran wins battle for civilian career opportunity

Here’s an update in the story of Bridgeport, Nebraska veteran Mike Beyer. Upon completing eight years in the U.S. Navy as a construction electrician, along with an 8,000-hour apprenticeship in the military, Mike was prevented from testing for a Nebraska license to begin his civilian career. In this video, Mike explains how sharing his story...

Study ranks ease of doing business in Nebraska’s largest cities

Study ranks ease of doing business in Nebraska’s largest cities

A report titled “Doing Business in North America” was published by the Center for the Study of Economic Liberty at Arizona State University. This study focuses on business regulations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Interestingly, this study’s ranking is based on cities, and Omaha and Lincoln are included in the index. These types...

By Sarah Curry

Biden executive order seeks to improve market for workers

Biden executive order seeks to improve market for workers

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...

By Laura Ebke