The Full Platter

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the rulemaking process for changes in technology, and make sure innovative firms or business models aren’t stifled by outdated regulations.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...

Nebraska’s January tax receipts see 10% boost over projections

Nebraska’s January tax receipts see 10% boost over projections

This week, the Nebraska Department of Revenue released its monthly revenue receipts report for January 2022. Although sales and use tax revenues were 16.1% below forecast, net revenues for January 2022 were $495 million, or 10% above the certified forecast of $450 million. The breakdown of January 2022 net revenue receipts are as follows: Net Sales...

By Nicole Fox

Civic Nebraska’s Nancy Petitto on The Unify Challenge

Civic Nebraska’s Nancy Petitto on The Unify Challenge

Civic Nebraska is sponsoring an online activity that pairs up Nebraskans from different points of view, to create conversation and build understanding statewide. Nancy Petitto joins Jim Vokal to discuss The Unify Challenge. Visit UnifyNebraska.com to learn more and find sign-up information. A transcript of this discussion is available below. You can also listen to the audio...

Nebraskanomics: Ernie Goss & Erin Norman on Inflation

Nebraskanomics: Ernie Goss & Erin Norman on Inflation

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss and Erin Norman, a polling and messaging expert for the State Policy Network, join Jim to discuss the impact of rising inflation on Nebraska’s economy and voter sentiments. A transcript of this discussion is available below. You can also listen to the audio version of Nebraskanomics on Apple Podcasts and...

Unicameral approves inheritance tax cut

Unicameral approves inheritance tax cut

The Nebraska Legislature has given final approval to Sen. Robert Clements’ Legislative Bill 310, which reduces Nebraska’s county-levied inheritance tax. The bill passed by a vote of 37-1. It now awaits the governor’s signature. With an amendment provided by the Legislature’s Revenue Committee and provisions from another inheritance tax-related bill by state Sen. Wendy DeBoer,...

By Jim Vokal

Bill would post Nebraska Legislature videos online

Bill would post Nebraska Legislature videos online

Senators serving on the Unicameral’s Executive Board of the Legislative Council recently met for a public hearing on Sen. Tom Brewer’s LB777, a bill that would require the creation of an online video archive of their proceedings in time for the 2023 session. The Executive Board is a special legislative committee that deals with the...

By Nicole Fox

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...

Here’s how to get your new Nebraska property tax relief credit

Here’s how to get your new Nebraska property tax relief credit

In the past, Nebraska’s main property tax relief program appeared automatically on your property tax bill. While that program will continue, to benefit from the income tax credit provided to property taxpayers in the Nebraska Property Tax Incentive Act, you need to make sure you’re filing the right form (Form PTC) when you submit your...

By Adam Weinberg

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

70% of Nebraskans say tax and workforce issues are linked

70% of Nebraskans say tax and workforce issues are linked

Is tax reform a tired trope in Nebraska politics, or do Nebraskans really consider the state’s tax system out of step with their economic concerns? A new Platte Institute poll shows most Nebraska voters do think tax policy is part of the reason the state struggles to compete and grow its workforce, and there’s broad...

By Jim Vokal

Nebraska tax receipts remain above projections in December 2021

Nebraska tax receipts remain above projections in December 2021

Nebraska’s state tax revenues remained above projections overall at the end of calendar year 2021. According to the most recent Nebraska Department of Revenue news release, although miscellaneous tax revenues were 28.5% below forecast, net revenues for December 2021 were $509 million or 7.4% above the certified forecast. December tax refunds were also $6 million...

By Nicole Fox

Nebraska’s 2022 Tax Agenda with Tax Foundation’s Jared Walczak

Nebraska’s 2022 Tax Agenda with Tax Foundation’s Jared Walczak

The Tax Foundation’s Annual State Business Tax Climate Index tracks which states offer the most competitive tax codes. Vice President for State Projects Jared Walczak joins Jim to discuss Nebraska’s unfinished business in 2022. A transcript of this discussion is available below. You can also listen to the audio version of Nebraskanomics on Apple Podcasts...

Poll: 78% of Nebraska voters favor ending county inheritance tax

Poll: 78% of Nebraska voters favor ending county inheritance tax

Nebraska lawmakers are set to debate Sen. Rob Clements’ Legislative Bill 310, which would reduce the inheritance tax levied by county governments. Meanwhile, some legislators are supporting measures to end the inheritance tax altogether, including Sen. Joni Albrecht’s recently filed AM1511, which would phase out the tax by 2028. A December 2021 Platte Institute poll...

By Jim Vokal

How Blueprint Nebraska Will Grow the Economy

How Blueprint Nebraska Will Grow the Economy

What needs to change to make Nebraska a more attractive place to live, work, start a business, invest for the future, and put down roots? Of course, there isn’t one single answer. That’s why today, we’re talking about the many different ways Blueprint Nebraska can help grow the economy by harnessing our strengths, overcoming our...

By Jim Vokal