Legislative session suspended due to COVID-19
Legislative session suspended due to COVID-19
Suspending the legislative session is the responsible thing to do.
COVID-19 shows importance of planning ahead
COVID-19 shows importance of planning ahead
The last week or so has been something of a whirlwind here in Nebraska, as cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) started to show up. Events have been canceled, schools have closed, state basketball tournaments have been modified to have no meaningful fan presence, colleges have moved toward remote classes, and some businesses have closed down temporarily....
Don’t “Bloomberg” Nebraska’s Property Tax Problem
Don’t “Bloomberg” Nebraska’s Property Tax Problem
Nebraska's approach to "property tax relief" isn't working.
World-Herald Editorial: Not Passing Property Tax Reform Would Be an “Embarassing Failure”
World-Herald Editorial: Not Passing Property Tax Reform Would Be an “Embarassing Failure”
Who has the most to lose from the property tax stalemate?
Universal Recognition and Labor Competition
Universal Recognition and Labor Competition
I noted last week that recent research by the Goldwater Institute suggests that universal recognition enacted in Arizona was showing significant benefits for both the state's labor market and for workers seeking to continue to practice their occupation in a new location. A new policy report from Arizona State's Center for the Study of Economic...
Red Lights, Free Speech and Occupational Licensing
Red Lights, Free Speech and Occupational Licensing
Here’s an interesting story about the silliness of some occupational licensing boards. A man trained in electrical engineering, questions the formulas used for timing red lights in Oregon, after his wife gets a ticket for moving through the intersection to make a right turn on a yellow (the light turned red while she was turning)....
Meat Processing and Red Tape
Meat Processing and Red Tape
A friend sent me a link to this story yesterday, and here in beef country, it seems like something we should know about. It would seem that an entrepreneur in the Sandhills–eager to provide a high-value product–is being stymied by “red tape” and the federal government. Big surprise, right? Since August of 2019 owner Jacob...
News from Arizona: Universal Recognition Works
News from Arizona: Universal Recognition Works
Universal Recognition for occupational licensing burst onto the scene almost a year ago when Arizona enacted its "universal recognition" bill last April. Pennsylvania became the second state to enact universal recognition in late July of 2019. This year, more than a dozen states, including Nebraska, saw legislation introduced (although none passed yet) which would create...
Senators hear proposal for “Truth in Taxation” law
Senators hear proposal for “Truth in Taxation” law
Taxpayers would receive a mailed notice of proposed property tax increases.
Field of (Broken) Dreams?
Field of (Broken) Dreams?
A recent analysis by the Archbridge Institute found that in neighboring Iowa, occupational licensing requirements added between 1993 and 2012 was associated with a 4.7% reduction in economic mobility and a 10.9% increase in income inequality. Growth in occupational licensing is associated with fewer opportunities for workers to earn more than their parents and a...
30 Days to Go
30 Days to Go
Today (Tuesday, February 25) marks Day 30 of Nebraska's 60-day legislative session this year. Halfway there. In reality, probably a little over halfway, because Speaker Scheer has typically tried to close the session out between days 57 and 59. If you look at the Legislative Calendar found here, you'll see that Day 59 falls on...
Ranking Dings Nebraska for Low Growth & High Taxes
Ranking Dings Nebraska for Low Growth & High Taxes
Policymakers should not be satisfied with this ranking for the state's business climate.
Another Property Tax Stalemate?
Another Property Tax Stalemate?
Is the Legislature leaving the property tax issue up to voters?
Imagine There’s No License
Imagine There’s No License
Sometimes, circumstances remind me of songs, and the John Lennon song "Imagine" came to mind as I was reading the articles I link to below. This article popped up in my Google alerts yesterday. It appears that a couple of legislators in Tennessee have decided to float a very bold idea: Tennessee lawmakers introduced two...