Colorado governor cheers tax cut in New Year message
Colorado governor cheers tax cut in New Year message
Colorado's Democratic governor gave a great argument for tax reform.
Protecting your DNA in the free market
Protecting your DNA in the free market
As a “hobbyist” genealogist for the last 10 years, there’s always been one branch of the family tree that’s been a bit of a mystery. I started my hobby as the result of Ancestry.com commercials at about this time of year–I remember my family watching “A Christmas Story” and these commercials were persistent, and my...
Nebraska gas tax to decrease in New Year
Nebraska gas tax to decrease in New Year
The Legislature's 2015 gas tax increase has reached its destination.
Smoking changes are confusing to retailers. But should they be?
Smoking changes are confusing to retailers. But should they be?
I’m not a smoker, nor have I ever smoked (not even to “try it out”). My parents weren’t smokers. None of my grandparents smoked (although I’m told that one of my grandfathers smoked until sometime in the ’40’s, when my mom and aunt were diagnosed with mild asthma, and he quit). I’ve had friends who...
Recapping the coming property tax ballot debate
Recapping the coming property tax ballot debate
Let's recap the current property tax ballot petition debate.
Sticker shock: how Nebraska vehicle and wheel taxes work
Sticker shock: how Nebraska vehicle and wheel taxes work
Annual vehicle taxes can be a costly addition to Nebraska's tax burden.
Last minute gift ideas from John Stossel
Last minute gift ideas from John Stossel
Although I completed my Christmas shopping over two weeks ago, by the looks of the parking lots of many stores on my way home from work last night, that’s not the case for everyone. I have several friends who are avid readers like myself who have welcomed me into their book clubs. Those book...
Brewer expected to propose repealing Nebraska’s income tax
Brewer expected to propose repealing Nebraska’s income tax
A Nebraska state senator is expected to propose repealing Nebraska's income tax.
Who Really Cares About Property Taxes?
Who Really Cares About Property Taxes?
How can we bridge the information gap between taxpayers and taxing entities?
Breaking down the taxes on your Christmas drinks
Breaking down the taxes on your Christmas drinks
I’m sure if your family is getting together for the holidays there will be wine, mixed drinks or beer served. But did you know that by indulging in holiday spirits you are also paying a ‘sin’ tax? A ‘sin’ tax is an excise tax placed on something that the government ties closely to moral or...
Keep consumers in the driver’s seat on regulation
Keep consumers in the driver’s seat on regulation
In the spirit of #ThrowbackThursday, I thought I would highlight a 1978 article from the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE), “The Consumer’s Role,” as it reminds me of an issue the Platte Institute has been working on for the past 3 years. It’s no secret that team members at the Platte Institute are huge supporters...
Nebraska’s economy is the 3rd most diversified, yet people are still leaving
Nebraska’s economy is the 3rd most diversified, yet people are still leaving
Ever wonder why Nebraska’s economy doesn’t seem to follow the national trend? For example, the nation experienced one of the worst recessions in modern history in 2008-2009, yet Nebraska was somewhat insulated from the effects. The reason – our state has a diversified economy. According to The Stacker website, Nebraska ranks 3rd best in the...
More red tape to cut in Nebraska
More red tape to cut in Nebraska
Yesterday, President Trump held a roundtable on regulatory innovations inviting governors from around the country to share what has been accomplished in their states. Governor Ricketts participated. He reported on the Nebraska Legislature’s work on occupational licensing reform and h ighlighted LB898 from 2016, the “hair braiding bill” that exempted natural hair braiding from cosmetology...
Report: Nebraska loses $141 million due to licensing
Report: Nebraska loses $141 million due to licensing
According to a new report published by the Pioneer Institute, the state of Nebraska took $36 million from citizens in occupational licensing fees in 2017. And because of the restrictions that licensing puts on the economy, the state lost $141 million that otherwise would have been a part of Nebraska’s economy. How does this happen? ...