New data from licensing review coming online
New data from licensing review coming online
LB299 is already helping us have a more informed discussion about job licensing.
Revenue Committee focused on rural property tax issues
Revenue Committee focused on rural property tax issues
News from Lincoln tells us that the Revenue Committee has agreed on an approach to the property tax problem in Nebraska. “…a multi-year plan to address high property taxes should first target help for farmers and ranchers, with a particular emphasis on relief in school districts with high property tax levies…” As of right now,...
Crop prices slightly increase, yet farm income drops
Crop prices slightly increase, yet farm income drops
A report from the Kansas City Federal Reserve late last week highlighted the findings from the Tenth District Survey of Agricultural Credit Conditions where farm income in the region continued to decline. “Farm income decreased from a year ago across all states in the region, with some variation in the pace of decline. Compared with...
Don’t bet too big on gambling revenues
Don’t bet too big on gambling revenues
Iowa now has legal sports betting at its casinos. How much revenue are they bringing in?
With October revenues up, state should save money or return to taxpayers
With October revenues up, state should save money or return to taxpayers
It is important to note from October’s revenue report that corporate income taxes are way above their forecast amount. This is because this tax is unreliable and could very easily be below forecast in the upcoming months. Another thing to point out is that all these tax revenues are above forecast, which means the state...
How does Missouri fund education with lower property taxes than Nebraska?
How does Missouri fund education with lower property taxes than Nebraska?
Lots of discussions around Nebraska’s property tax problem have stemmed from the way we fund public education. Missouri, even though they have much lower property taxes, are also tackling how they fund public education. In lieu of the property tax discussions being had in the Nebraska Revenue Committee, I thought it would be helpful to...
A good example of civil society
A good example of civil society
Nonprofits and charities form a third or “independent sector” that delivers important services and benefits that neither governments nor profit-seeking businesses can deliver as effectively. The state and local taxing entities should be careful not to supplant these institutions of civil society. What do I mean? In Scottsbluff one of the top local stories was...
City of Friend fires employees for wasting taxpayer money
City of Friend fires employees for wasting taxpayer money
A state auditor's report found the city of Friend had been paying hundreds of thousands of dollars more for items such as pool chemicals and paper towels that were routinely sold to other Nebraska towns for much less. According to a Lincoln Journal Star article, "Auditors laid blame on the vague purchase descriptions provided to...
Nebraska ranks 28th for business tax climate
Nebraska ranks 28th for business tax climate
Last year Nebraska was ranked the 26th best business tax climate in the nation. This year we dropped 2 spots to 28th. Wisconsin and Oklahoma are the two states that passed us. Nebraska Rank Overall Rank 28th (-2) Corporate Taxes 31st (-2) Individual Taxes 21st (no change) Sales Taxes 10th (-2) Property Taxes 41 (no...
What does nonpartisanship mean?
What does nonpartisanship mean?
Many people misunderstand the difference between engaging in partisanship and holding differences of opinion on policy issues.
Over 30% of Nebraska state revenue comes from federal taxes
Over 30% of Nebraska state revenue comes from federal taxes
The Pew Charitable Trusts just released new analysis that shows around 1/3 of every state’s revenue came from the federal government in 2017. Nebraska was at 30.9%. The majority of this funding helps to pay for public services such as health care, education, transportation, and infrastructure. This is important for our lawmakers to be aware...
Occupational Licensing Reform: Not Just for Red States
Occupational Licensing Reform: Not Just for Red States
Folks in "liberal Massachusetts" are currently looking at the cost of occupational licensing, thanks to a report from the Pioneer Institute (with help from our friends at the Institute for Justice). Their report points out some of the many inconsistencies like those we've seen in Nebraska. For instance, as this Boston Globe article points out,...
Will lawmakers punt on property tax reform?
Will lawmakers punt on property tax reform?
An article just posted by the Lincoln Journal Star reports on the Revenue Committee’s most recent plan to address the property tax problem in Nebraska. “The Legislature’s Revenue Committee on Tuesday changed course, tentatively focusing on a proposed $100 million annual increase in the state property tax credit fund during each of the next three...
Florida legislator: occupational licensing is a “barrier to the American Dream”
Florida legislator: occupational licensing is a “barrier to the American Dream”
Future Florida House Speaker, Paul Renner, seems to be declaring war on occupational licensure in his state. “Occupational licensing is essentially a permission slip for you do what you are passionate about, what you are trained to do, and to provide for your family,” he added. “Think about that: government giving you a permission slip...