Regulatory Reform

Republican and Democratic governors say licensing reforms are “jobs bills”

Republican and Democratic governors say licensing reforms are “jobs bills”

Many states have undertaken a series of occupational licensing reforms across the country—some comprehensive and some piecemeal. From regular licensing reviews to expanding licensing opportunities, to eliminating licenses that no longer make sense in today’s context, to removing exclusions for those who have felonies in their backgrounds, many policymakers recognize that licensing requirements can limit...

By Laura Ebke

Nebraska state senators should make to-go cocktail rule permanent

Nebraska state senators should make to-go cocktail rule permanent

The service industry makes up a large part of Nebraska’s economy, and as noted in a previous policy brief, was heavily impacted by COVID-19. During the early months of the COVID pandemic, both restaurants and bars suffered significant revenue losses. While Gov. Ricketts did not completely shut down the state, the Directed Health Measures (DHM’s)...

2019-2020 Nebraska Occupational Licensing Review

2019-2020 Nebraska Occupational Licensing Review

Introduction Much has changed since our 2018 review of Nebraska’s progress on occupational licensing policy and reform. The first year of licensing reviews growing out of LB299, Nebraska’s Occupational Board Reform Act, were completed in 2019. Committees of the Unicameral reviewed 26 individual licenses across eight of the standing committees. Several of the other committees—either...

By Laura Ebke

Nebraska unemployment ranks lowest, approaching pre-pandemic levels

Nebraska unemployment ranks lowest, approaching pre-pandemic levels

Since the start of the pandemic, Americans have wondered when the job market would return to normal. For Nebraska, that time may be now. The Nebraska Department of Labor announced Friday that the state’s unemployment rate currently sits at 4%. That figure is not only the lowest in Nebraska since the beginning of the pandemic...

By Jaliya Nagahawatte

Disruptions from COVID-19 on Nebraska’s Agriculture

Disruptions from COVID-19 on Nebraska’s Agriculture

Government and industry responses to the COVID-19 pandemic created a variety of unique situations for agriculture. The “stay-at-home” orders forced consumers to be homebound, which increased the demand for food in grocery stores while simultaneously reducing the demand for food in restaurants. Reduced consumer travel caused the demand for ethanol to fall, impacting distillers’ grains,...

By Sarah Curry, Jay Rempe

Nebraska is cutting red tape, but still has room to improve

Nebraska is cutting red tape, but still has room to improve

Excessive regulations have harmful effects on prosperity and growth. In many cases, the compliance costs of these regulations constitute a hidden tax on businesses and citizens, costing valuable resources that could be contributing to Nebraska’s economic growth. Regulation is a necessity of our society, and we should not get rid of all regulations. But Nebraska...

By Sarah Curry

Manufacturing report card gives Nebraska an average GPA

Manufacturing report card gives Nebraska an average GPA

An annual assessment of state manufacturing and logistics industries by the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research finds that Nebraska ranks average among its peers, though the scorecard also notes Nebraska’s people and strong finances are advantages for its manufacturing potential. While the 2020 Manufacturing Scorecard does not give Nebraska a single...

By Adam Weinberg

Nebraska has cut red tape for these careers and businesses

Nebraska has cut red tape for these careers and businesses

Nebraska’s 2020 legislative session ended on August 13. In looking through the multiple occupational licensing reform bills that were signed into law just this year, Laura Ebke and I couldn’t help but notice how great of an impact the Platte Institute’s campaign for job licensing reform has had since we first supported a bill eliminating the...

The future of ridesharing might be decided in California

The future of ridesharing might be decided in California

If you’ve traveled into an airport of any size in the last few years, the chances are that as you waited for a cab or airport shuttle, you’ve also seen lines of Ubers or Lyfts—vehicles and drivers part of the “ridesharing” economy. Or perhaps you’ve learned to use these services to get where you need...

By Laura Ebke

Nebraska’s unemployment rate falling, but still near Great Recession levels

Nebraska’s unemployment rate falling, but still near Great Recession levels

Following an uptick in unemployment in June, Nebraska’s preliminary July unemployment rate fell to the second-lowest in the country, but the jobless figure is still at historically elevated levels for the state. While any almost any state would be happy to trade places with Nebraska, the July unemployment rate of 4.8% is closer to the...

By Adam Weinberg

New York lawmakers seek to license “shampoo assistants”

New York lawmakers seek to license “shampoo assistants”

It would appear that lawmakers around the country haven’t gotten the word that more regulation doesn’t help the economy. Take for instance this legislation (sent to me via this link today) moving through the New York Assembly. While it doesn’t appear that the legislation is moving quickly, one has to wonder what motivates the introduction...

By Laura Ebke

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