Nebraska is no stranger to business incentives. Starting in 1985 (LB273), Nebraska embarked on a long journey of business incentives in an attempt to lure companies to the Cornhusker State as well as promote job creation. Over the last 35 years there have been many central programs in the state’s history including the Employment and...
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...
Today, the Legislature passed Sen. Ben Hansen’s LB644 – often referred to as “the postcard bill” in the Legislature. When it’s signed into law, Nebraska will be the third state to adopt a comprehensive Truth in Taxation law, which requires direct notification of property taxpayers, by mail, about proposals for local property tax increases. As...
Dr. Jeremy Horpedahl, Assistant Professor of Economics at Central Arkansas University, joins Jim to discuss some fast-moving economic indicators, and why the big picture issues may matter more in the months and years ahead. You can watch the video on YouTube here or listen to the podcast episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Mentioned on this episode: Economist Writing Every...
The April 2021 state tax revenues have been published, and overall, it’s good news again. The revenues are broken down into two measures, one for the month and another for the fiscal year. For the month of April 2021, the revenues do not meet the state’s expected forecast of revenue – however, this may be...
Every year, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) releases their economic outlook rankings for states. The Rich States, Poor States ranking incorporates 15 different policy variables to look at the 50 states and determine their economic outlook. This is essentially a forecast for each state. Since 2008, Nebraska has remained relatively steady in the outlook...
Do you think Nebraska taxpayers would like to pay $1 billion more in taxes each year? Unfortunately, some groups and policymakers in our state have pushed for this without many people even knowing about it. That’s why experts at the Platte Institute go down to the Capitol to testify against expensive policies threatening economic opportunity...
The U.S. Treasury has issued guidance as a follow-up to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that was enacted by Congress on March 11, 2021. As background, Congress enacted ARPA as a continuation of their previous relief packages to help the nation recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, there was $350 billion spent for...
According to the 2020 U.S. Census figures, Montana grew 9.6% over the last ten years, and as a result has gained an additional congressional seat. The last time the state had two U.S. House seats was in 1992. In the wake of the good news, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte decided it is time to continue...
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...
In an attempt to create compromise between the Iowa House and Senate, Governor Kim Reynolds offered a plan on Wednesday, May 5 to cut taxes in the Hawkeye State by $400 million. How is she doing this? She has proposed shifting the funding for county mental health from local property taxes to the state’s general...
If you listened to the Nebraska Legislature debate today you would have heard the following quotes from multiple members: “Our tax code is antiquated and was written in a time before the internet existed and before people and businesses were as mobile as they are today.” “People are mad about their property taxes.” “Nebraska can...
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Nebraska District Director, Leon Milobar, joins Jim Vokal to discuss resources available to small businesses impacted by the pandemic, and even Nebraskans who are still thinking about getting into business. Mentioned on this episode: Nebraska SBA District Office SCORE Small Business Mentoring SBA Office of Advocacy GROW Nebraska Women’s Business...
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.