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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...