Today marks Day 46 of the 90-day long first session of the 107th Nebraska Legislature. As the Legislature embarks upon the second half of the session, I thought I’d highlight where things stand for bills that impact the economic opportunities and freedoms the Platte Institute strives to promote. You may recall in a March 9 blog post...
A letter signed by 21 state Attorneys General, including Nebraska, was sent to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen explaining their concern over the unconstitutionality of restrictions regarding the indirect use of COVID-19 relief funds. In section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), there is a provision that forbids states from using the COVID-19 funds...
Sarah Curry joins Jim Vokal to discuss a confusing provision of the new federal relief plan, how the U.S. Treasury’s interpretation of the law might impact the ability of states like Nebraska to make their own tax and budget decisions, and what the Platte Institute is doing about it. Listen here.
President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) into law shortly after its passage in Congress on March 11. While the plan is overwhelmingly popular with the American people, there is a small provision in the legislation causing some uncertainty and concern for Nebraska. Under ARPA, states are eligible to receive a...
Nebraska’s state tax revenues have posted strong positions just one year after the historic nationwide shutdown for the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the most recent Nebraska Department of Revenue news release, gross revenues for the month of February were $617 million or 24.2% above the certified forecast. However, the bigger surprise is that net revenues...
Someday, you might have a conversation with a loved one too young to remember 2020. Maybe you’ll recall your online visits with the people you missed. Victoria Kerber just turned five years old recently. For her, getting online during the pandemic meant learning how to one day share her own story. Victoria has a rare...
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 will provide more than $500 billion of aid to state and local governments. Much of this money will go to state and local governments that have already seen their revenues recover from last year’s recession. Because some states are currently posting revenue surpluses, they may be encouraged...
Every bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature in 2021 has now received a public hearing. But that’s just the beginning of the Platte Institute’s work to lower taxes, provide good governance, reduce red tape, and increase government transparency. During the first few months of the 2021 session, many of the staff at the Platte Institute...
A measure expanding access to telehealth services in Nebraska has been advanced from the Health and Human Services Committee and now awaits legislative debate. The Platte Institute was one of twelve organizations providing testimony in support of Sen. John Arch’s LB400. Today, the Sarpy County senator gave the bill his priority designation. Senators are able...
A bill in the Nebraska Legislature could help a Navy veteran begin the career he trained for in the service. And he’s not the only one. Laura Ebke speaks with Bridgeport native Mike Beyer on why universal recognition of job licensing and work experience would remove barriers for him and the services he can provide...
Bridgeport native Mike Beyer is someone who makes his community and country proud. From 2010 to 2018, he served as a Construction Electrician in the Navy, including assignments at Camp David and U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command. On his deployments to Iraq, Petty Officer Second Class Beyer supported SEAL Teams 3 and 7 as a...
The Nebraska Revenue Forecasting Board met today to discuss the status of the state’s revenue picture. This year the state of Nebraska will be drafting its two-year, or biennial, budget and will need an accurate forecast of state revenues. Overall, the mood of the meeting was very optimistic. On a national scene, Nebraska is recovering...
This update on Lincoln’s cottage food ordinance is provided courtesy of the Institute for Justice, which represents Cindy Harper, a cottage food producer who lives in Lincoln. The city of Lincoln has amended the cottage food ordinance that last year prompted a lawsuit by the Institute for Justice (IJ) and home baker Cindy Harper, in...
To grow and prosper, Nebraska needs a larger workforce. Laura Ebke joins Jim Vokal to discuss why states are adopting universal recognition of job licensing and work experience to roll out the red carpet for workers and entrepreneurs. Resources mentioned on this episode: Take Action on LB263 LB263: Universal Recognition of Job Licensing Eager to...