Platte Institute’s Annual Legislative Summit: Keep Up the Momentum

Date: September 28th

Location: Embassy Suites, Downtown Lincoln, Nebraska

Ticket Price: $20 (Complimentary for senators and their staff)

About this Event

Join us as we celebrate another groundbreaking year for the Platte Institute and the state of Nebraska! With last year’s monumental legislative successes under our belt, it’s time to harness that energy and ‘Keep Up the Momentum’ at our Annual Legislative Summit.

Why Attend?

Pivotal Discussions: Engage in vibrant discussions on the workforce, taxes, education, and regulation. Learn about strategies to propel Nebraska into a future of innovation, competitive tax structures, refined educational paradigms, and a business-friendly regulatory environment.

Engage with Elected Leaders: This isn’t just another event; it’s a platform for the people of Nebraska to meet their representatives, share their ideas, and actively shape Nebraska’s future.

Celebrate Excellence: Be there as we announce and honor our ‘Legislator of the Year’. Celebrate the dedication and commitment that has significantly contributed to Nebraska’s progress.

Insights from the Top: Speaker Arch, Auditor Foley, and others will provide a preview into the upcoming legislative session and valuable insights into state government operations. Get an insider’s perspective on what’s next for Nebraska.

Networking & Breakfast: Start the day right! Network with like-minded individuals over a hearty breakfast before diving into enriching discussions.

Meet our guest speakers and panelist:

Jonathan Williams – ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council): Jonathan Williams is the Chief Economist and Executive Vice President of Policy at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), where he works with state policymakers, congressional leaders, and members of the private sector to develop policy solutions for the states.

Williams has spoken to audiences across all 50 states and provided testimony for the U.S. Congress, as well as numerous state legislative bodies. His work has been featured at the federal level by The White House, the Congressional Joint Economic Committee and the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means. He is a frequent guest on talk radio shows and has appeared on numerous television outlets, including the PBS NewsHour, Fox Business News and Bloomberg News. Williams was also the recipient of the prestigious Ludwig von Mises Award in Economics.

Daniel Dew – Pacific Legal Foundation: Daniel Dew directs Pacific Legal Foundation’s legal policy efforts. The legal policy team fights for individual liberty in the other two branches of government by finding principled solutions to complex problems.

Daniel has led numerous successful public policy campaigns, including home equity theft reform, judicial bias reform, emergency powers reform, and prior to his time at PLF, civil asset forfeiture reform, sentencing reform, and removing government-imposed barriers to employment.

Before joining PLF, Daniel was a legal fellow at The Buckeye Institute in Columbus, Ohio, and a visiting legal fellow at The Heritage Foundation’s Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies.

Rees Empey – Libertas Institute: Rees is the Director of State Government Affairs at Libertas Institute. In his role, he builds relationships with organizations and individuals across the country to export Libertas’ policy innovations and extend their positive impacts to other states. He was born in Utah and raised in Missouri.

Before joining Libertas, he was a Criminal Justice Associate with the Utah Justice Coalition. Rees earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Utah State University. While pursuing his degree, he worked with the Utah State Legislature, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, exit polled for the 2016 election, and studied abroad in China.

Lauren Gage – American Federation for Children: Lauren Gage is the Nebraska State Director for the American Federation for Children. Prior to joining AFC, she worked at the Nebraska Catholic Conference, where she served as the Communications and Outreach Specialist. In that role, Lauren worked closely with Invest in Kids Nebraska, a project of AFC, to advance school-choice efforts in the Cornhusker State.

Diane Good Collins – Director of the Re-Entry Program, Metro Community College: Diane Good-Collins is the Director of the 180 Re-entry Assistance Program or 180 RAP at Metropolitan Community College. 180 RAP provides prison education programming and transition support to individuals leaving Nebraska jails, prisons, and treatment centers and hosts the largest on campus Re-entry Center in the United States. Since 2015, Diane and her team, primarily comprised of individuals with lived experience, have assisted over 9,000 people to obtain education, training and family sustaining employment.

Senator Danielle Conrad: A civil rights attorney and three-time electee to the Nebraska Legislature, is known for her collaboration and leadership roles including Chair of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Task Force. After reclaiming her former seat in 2022, she became the first woman to return to the Nebraska Legislature in the term limits era, currently holding the second most seniority.

Originating from rural Seward County, she graduated from the University of Nebraska and led impactful efforts at organizations like the ACLU of Nebraska. Married with two children, Senator Conrad is an active community volunteer, recognized with awards for her advocacy in education, legal leadership, and women’s health.

Heath Mello – CEO, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce: Heath Mello, a Nebraska native and University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumnus was appointed as the CEO/President of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, on August 2, 2023. Prior to this, he served in key roles at the University of Nebraska system, including as vice president of external relations and director of state relations.

Mello’s political experience is highlighted by his eight-year tenure as a Nebraska state senator, during which he chaired the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. Additionally, he’s held significant positions on various state and regional boards, such as Chair of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry Education Policy Council. Throughout his career, Mello has demonstrated commitment to community growth, strategic leadership, and fostering a prosperous business landscape in Nebraska.

Manish Bhatt – Senior Policy Analyst, Tax Foundation: Manish Bhatt is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Center for State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation.

He holds an LLM in taxation from Georgetown University Law Center, a JD from St. Thomas University College of Law, and a BA from the George Washington University. Prior to joining the Tax Foundation, Manish counseled clients on corporate taxation matters at a Big Four accounting firm, served as a judge advocate in the U.S. Coast Guard, advised several startups, and taught business law as an adjunct faculty member at TCU.

Christian Barnard, Senior Policy Analyst with the Reason Foundation and Michael Lucci, the Platte Institute’s Senior Policy Advisor will discuss and demonstrate a newly created K-12 education reform funding tool for policy makers who are interested in addressing education funding in our state and lessening the current heavy reliance on property taxes.

Program will be held live on Zoom at 11 a.m. Central/10 Mountain on October 27, 2022.

Registration required.

5:30 PM on Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Bolo Beer Co.

420 East 1st Street

Valentine, NE

Nebraska’s new property tax transparency law, Truth in Taxation, provides a huge opportunity for taxpayers. Every September, you can be fully informed about property tax increases, and find out where to speak to your elected officials before they set next year’s tax levy.

But when Madison County’s very first Truth in Taxation season kicks off, taxpayers need to be ready with a game plan.

At the Norfolk Property Taxpayer Training Camp, we’ll show you how the Truth in Taxation law works, and what taxpayers like you can do to get involved and help hold the line on local property taxes.

We’ll also take your questions and connect you with other interested taxpayers in the community.

Registration is free, so please share this event with your friends in the area. Want more info about Truth in Taxation? Visit PlatteInstitute.org/Truth.

Location:
Northeast Community College Lifelong Learning Center
701 E Benjamin Ave
Norfolk, NE 68701

Download Event Flyer

Nebraskans work hard and dream big. But when policymakers let barriers stand in the way of opportunity, we all lose the chance to fully enjoy our Good Life. Join us in Lincoln to discuss how the newest class of state leaders can create visionary policies that live up to the unrivaled efforts and ambitions of our people, and solve major economic problems for workers, businesses, innovators, and taxpayers.

General Admission is $20, plus processing, and includes a hot breakfast. Complimentary registration is available for elected officials and staff, candidates, media, and students. Questions? Please contact Elizabeth Hallgren at ehallgren@platteinstitute.org or (402) 452-3737.

Full Program Agenda

7:30 a.m. – Registration opens, buffet breakfast

8:30 a.m. – Opening remarks by Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal

8:40 a.m. – Growing Nebraska’s Economy with Keynote Speaker Tony Goins, Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development

9:00 a.m. – Recognizing Nebraska’s Workforce Challenge, a discussion with Laura Ebke, Senior Fellow, Platte Institute

9:30 a.m. – Creating the Future with Regulatory Sandboxes, moderated by Nicole Fox, Director of Government Relations, Platte Institute

10:15 a.m. – Presentation of the 2022 Connie Brown Freedom Award and Platte Institute Legislative Achievement Award

10:30 a.m. – Understanding Truth in Taxation, moderated by Adam Weinberg, Communications Director, Platte Institute

11:00 a.m. – Competing for Taxpayers, moderated by Jim Vokal, Chief Executive Officer, Platte Institute

Location: The 1206 – 1206 Main Avenue, Crete, NE 68333

Could more of Nebraska’s problems be solved over a beer? Laura Ebke’s Political Brew returns to Crete to raise a glass, and our expectations for Nebraska’s leaders, with civil discussions about the most important issues facing our state. Nebraska state senators Anna Wishart and Mark Kolterman join Laura Ebke at The 1206 to discuss what exactly the words liberal and conservative mean to them. Do these labels better inform the public and lawmakers as they decide between policy ideas and candidates, or do they reduce our capacity to think for ourselves? Register for free and join us for libations and thoughtful conversations!

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Location: The 1206 – 1206 Main Avenue, Crete, NE 68333

Your small business needs a champion…you! Nebraskans think big when it comes to building innovative small businesses that strengthen their communities, but there’s always more that can be done to remove barriers to opportunity.

At the LocalWorks Roundtable, we’ll discuss your ideas for making Nebraska a better state for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and how you can effectively engage policymakers in Lincoln and your community.

Please join us at The 1206 in Crete for this free event. Refreshments served.

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Valentine Mayor Kyle Arganbright, Dr. Emily Hamilton of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, Kathy Mesner of Mesner Development Co., and Grace Thomas of the Verdis Group and the Omaha Missing Middle Housing Campaign will discuss strategies for increasing affordability and attainability of housing in Nebraska communities statewide. Program will be held live on Zoom at 11 a.m. Central/10 Mountain. Registration required.

Join the Platte Institute and other Blueprint Nebraska Alliance Partners and volunteers at the Embassy Suites Lincoln (1040 P Street, Lincoln, NE 68508) to discuss the Blueprint vision of a stronger workforce, connecting Nebraska communities with broadband, and the new Blueprint Nebraska tax modernization framework. More summit agenda details available on the registration page.

Former state Sen. Jim Smith and District 47 Nebraska state Sen. Steve Erdman will co-host a town hall program at The World Theatre (2318 Central Avenue, Kearney, NE 68847) to take your questions on two different proposals for overhauling Nebraska’s tax code, the Blueprint Nebraska tax modernization plan, and the EPIC Consumption Tax. Click here to view an event flyer.

Former state Sen. Jim Smith and District 47 Nebraska state Sen. Steve Erdman will co-host a town hall program at Mid-Plains Community College South Campus’ McDonald-Belton Theater (601 W State Farm Road, North Platte, NE 69101) to take your questions on two different proposals for overhauling Nebraska’s tax code, the Blueprint Nebraska tax modernization plan, and the EPIC Consumption Tax. Click here to view an event flyer.

Program begins at 6:30 p.m., Mountain. Former state Sen. Jim Smith and District 47 Nebraska state Sen. Steve Erdman will co-host a town hall program at Scottbluff’s Midwest Theater (1707 Broadway, Scottsbluff, NE 69361) to take your questions on two different proposals for overhauling Nebraska’s tax code, the Blueprint Nebraska tax modernization plan, and the EPIC Consumption Tax. Click here to view an event flyer.

The United Kingdom-based Legatum Institute produces a holistic index of social and economic well-being among countries and states, including Nebraska. And their work identifying challenges and opportunities in the Cornhusker State has just begun.

Join the Director of the Legatum Institute’s Centre for Metrics, Shaun Flanagan, and Research Assistant Ed Wickstead, as they discuss their in-depth measurements of prosperity and what the data can tell us about potential policy solutions for our state and communities.

Click here to learn more about the Legatum Institute’s United States and Nebraska Prosperity Index.

Event flyer available here.

The Nebraska Legislature has defied expectations, overwhelmingly approving a new property tax rebate program to be implemented over the coming years. Is the Nebraska Legislature done with the property tax issue, or are additional tax reforms still on the table? Revenue Committee Chair Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, Blueprint Nebraska Executive Director Jim Smith, and the Tax Foundation’s Vice President of State Projects Jared Walczak join Jim Vokal to review the Legislature’s latest work and tax policy questions that remain unresolved. Click here for the full event flyer.

Current governors who have championed Universal Recognition of job licensing and work experience from outside of their states join Laura Ebke to discuss why licensing reforms that break down barriers across state lines are needed to help workers and states recover from the COVID-19 recession. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf are our invited guests for this program. Click here for the full event flyer.

Nebraska state Sens. John Arch, Suzanne Geist, Steve Halloran, and Anna Wishart join Nicole Fox for a discussion about how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed lawmaker perspectives on regulatory policies. Click here for the full event flyer.

How should Nebraska promote better rural broadband access? Should data privacy be regulated? Are some tech companies too big? How can state legislators craft good state tech policy?

These questions and others are on the minds of state legislators across the country. In this Platte Institute Webinar, we’ll connect you with scholars and tech policy experts who can help answer these important questions in advance of the coming legislative session.

Our guests are Billy Easley, Senior Policy Analyst at Americans for Prosperity, and Will Rinehart, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Growth and Opportunity at Utah State University.

From Blair to Plattsmouth and everywhere in between, Omaha-area voters and property taxpayers will have the floor in this online forum about Nebraska’s property tax issue.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with more information about how you can share your questions, ideas, and stories in this interactive event.

In addition to having the option to appear in the Virtual Town Hall, all attendees can vote in online polls about property tax issues throughout the program.

From Lincoln, to Beatrice, and everywhere in between, voters and property taxpayers will have the floor in this online forum about Nebraska’s property tax issue.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with more information about how you can share your questions, ideas, and stories in this interactive event.

In addition to having the option to appear in the Virtual Town Hall, all attendees can vote in online polls about property tax issues throughout the program.

From South Sioux City to Columbus and everywhere in between, voters and property taxpayers will have the floor in this online forum about Nebraska’s property tax issue.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with more information about how you can share your questions, ideas, and stories in this interactive event.

In addition to having the option to appear in the Virtual Town Hall, all attendees can vote in online polls about property tax issues throughout the program.

From the Tri-Cities to Lexington and everywhere in between, voters and property taxpayers will have the floor in this online forum about Nebraska’s property tax issue.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with more information about how you can share your questions, ideas, and stories in this interactive event.

In addition to having the option to appear in the Virtual Town Hall, all attendees can vote in online polls about property tax issues throughout the program.

The head of the Nebraska Legislature’s budget-writing committee returns to the Platte Institute Webinar to discuss what the latest data on tax receipts will mean for the conclusion of this year’s legislative session and the state’s policy priorities. Registration required.

From Scottsbluff to North Platte and everywhere in between, voters and property taxpayers will have the floor in this online forum about Nebraska’s property tax issue.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with more information about how you can share your questions, ideas, and stories in this interactive event.

In addition to having the option to appear in the Virtual Town Hall, all attendees can vote in online polls about property tax issues throughout the program.

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan discusses the Nebraska tax policy and revenue landscape as the Legislature returns following an emergency suspension due to COVID-19. Registration required.

Two key legislative leaders provide their thoughts on the return of the 2020 Nebraska Legislature for its remaining 17 legislative days. Registration required.

Registration required