Removing Barriers for Nebraskans

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

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.

Podcast: How the Unicameral Decides Tax Policy

Podcast: How the Unicameral Decides Tax Policy

Sarah Curry joins Jim Vokal to discuss a week full of tax policy-related proposals in Lincoln. Mentioned on this episode: Nebraska forecasting board increases two-year revenue projections LB644: Truth in Taxation – Direct Notification of Property Tax Increase Hearings

Nebraska forecasting board increases two-year revenue projections

Nebraska forecasting board increases two-year revenue projections

Nebraska’s Economic Forecasting Advisory Board met today to confirm the state’s positive outlook on tax collections. Because the state of Nebraska operates under a biennial, or two-year budget, the forecasting board only holds it April meeting every other year. Their annual meetings occur in October and February. This meeting was different from most because of...

By Sarah Curry

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

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

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

States gaining and losing U.S. House seats: how does Nebraska compare?

States gaining and losing U.S. House seats: how does Nebraska compare?

The U.S. Census Bureau has announced the final figures for apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives for the next decade. As expected, Nebraska is retaining its 3 House seats, the number of representatives the state has held since the 1960s. The 2020 Census reports Nebraska’s population was 1,961,504, which is a 7.4%...

By Adam Weinberg

Should Nebraska license journalists?

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

Corporate income is a factor to state’s continued revenue growth

Corporate income is a factor to state’s continued revenue growth

April is a very important month in the government world. Typically, that is when the tax filing deadline occurs, and budget writers get to see if the state collected as much tax revenue as they anticipated. However, this has been slightly altered for 2021, with Nebraska electing to extend the filing deadline to May 17, 2021...

By Sarah Curry

Nebraska lawmakers approve expanded telehealth access

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...

By Nicole Fox

Legislature adopts bill for virtual local government meetings during emergencies

Legislature adopts bill for virtual local government meetings during emergencies

Today, the first of 3 bills supported by the Platte Institute making temporary regulatory changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic permanent was passed by the Nebraska Legislature. LB83 was introduced by Sen. Mike Flood on January 7, 2021. The Platte Institute submitted a position letter of support for the bill’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs...

By Nicole Fox

GILTI: What is it, and why does Nebraska need to focus on it?

GILTI: What is it, and why does Nebraska need to focus on it?

GILTI stands for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income. GILTI is a category of income that is earned abroad by U.S.-controlled foreign corporations and is subject to special treatment under the U.S. tax code, as well as states that levy a corporate income tax. This special treatment of foreign earned income is intended to prevent erosion of...

By Sarah Curry

Podcast: Joe Bishop-Henchman on Nebraska Tax Reform & the American Rescue Plan

Podcast: Joe Bishop-Henchman on Nebraska Tax Reform & the American Rescue Plan

Joe Bishop-Henchman is no stranger to Nebraska tax issues. He discusses his new role at the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, where he’s challenging federal authorities who may seek to limit Nebraska’s control over its own tax and budget policies. Mentioned on this episode: Letter:  NTU Requests Clarification on State Tax Provision in American Rescue Plan...

Direct notification of property tax hearings advances in Legislature

Direct notification of property tax hearings advances in Legislature

LB644, otherwise known as a Truth in Taxation bill, passed first round debate in the Nebraska Legislature, 36-1. Nine members were “present not voting.” The legislation moves Nebraska one step closer to providing more taxpayer engagement and transparency when local governments increase their property tax request. Under an approved amendment, LB644 will apply only to a county, city,...

By Sarah Curry