Regulatory Reform Archives - Page 39 of 40

Highlights of the 2021 Nebraska legislative session

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...

In Nebraska, cocktails to-go are here to stay

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...

Studies suggest hope for rural Nebraska requires cutting red tape

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...

By Laura Ebke

Laura Ebke talks job licensing and Truth in Taxation on LIBA livestream

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.

Tax attorney, community philanthropist, bring new perspectives to Platte Institute board

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...

Study suggests licensing restrictions for engineers may limit opportunities for minorities

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...

By Laura Ebke

Podcast: How to Start a Home-Based Food Business in Nebraska, with Cindy Brison of Nebraska Extension

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

Should Nebraska license journalists?

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...

By Laura Ebke

Nebraska lawmakers approve expanded telehealth access

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...

Piecemeal job licensing changes advance in Nebraska’s 2021 session

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...

By Laura Ebke

Telehealth measures kept Nebraskans connected to care

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...

By Adam Weinberg

Nebraska Legislature to debate expanded telehealth access

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...

Nebraska licensing law short-circuits Navy veteran’s career plans

Bridgeport native Mike Beyer is someone who makes his community and country proud. From 2010 to 2018, he served as a Construction Electrician in the Navy, including assignments at Camp David and U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command. On his deployments to Iraq, Petty Officer Second Class Beyer supported SEAL Teams 3 and 7 as a...

By Adam Weinberg

City of Lincoln amends ordinance that shut down home bakers

This update on Lincoln’s cottage food ordinance is provided courtesy of the Institute for Justice, which represents Cindy Harper, a cottage food producer who lives in Lincoln. The city of Lincoln has amended the cottage food ordinance that last year prompted a lawsuit by the Institute for Justice (IJ) and home baker Cindy Harper, in...