Jim Vokal talks COVID-19 economic impact with Gary Sadlemyer on KFAB
Jim Vokal talks COVID-19 economic impact with Gary Sadlemyer on KFAB
Webinar: Updated Economic Impact of COVID-19
Webinar: Updated Economic Impact of COVID-19
The slides for this program may be downloaded below. The video may also be viewed and shared on Facebook and YouTube.
Letter to governor calls for a federal funds inventory
Letter to governor calls for a federal funds inventory
Dear Governor Ricketts, We write this letter on behalf of the Platte Institute to ask your administration to set an important precedent for financial transparency in state and local government, by creating a publicly-accessible inventory of federal funds being spent in Nebraska. As you have noted, COVID-19 emergency federal relief funds allocated to Nebraska total...
The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the Nebraska Economy: Third Cut
The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the Nebraska Economy: Third Cut
Dear Nebraskans, Our state and nation have been actively fighting COVID-19 since mid-March. We are getting a handle on the public health aspect of the crisis, yet the economic impact is still being realized as businesses begin to reopen. As more data becomes available, we can start to measure the impact this crisis is having...
Nebraska Unemployment Among Lowest, But Still Worst in State History
Nebraska Unemployment Among Lowest, But Still Worst in State History
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its state unemployment data for the month of April. Nebraska had an unemployment rate of only 4% in the month of March, yet with the full effects of the pandemic in motion during April we saw a 4.3% increase in unemployment for a monthly amount of 8.3%, or 86,300 people. ...
Economic Freedom Lawsuits Filed in Lincoln Court
Economic Freedom Lawsuits Filed in Lincoln Court
The public interest law firm the Institute for Justice (IJ) has filed two lawsuits in Lancaster County court related to policies recently debated in the Nebraska Legislature. While the Platte Institute is not party to either lawsuit, they clearly intersect with our work, since both challenge the constitutionality of state and local economic policies we’ve...
Platte Serves as Resource to Academic Journal
Platte Serves as Resource to Academic Journal
If you follow the Platte Institute you know we publish papers on public policy issues in Nebraska. But what you probably didn’t know is that sometimes this data is used in academic research and trade publications. In 2018, Nicole Fox and I published a report that reviewed the proposed reforms to occupational licenses enacted in Nebraska. While...
Webinar: Post-Pandemic Licensing & Regulatory Reform
Webinar: Post-Pandemic Licensing & Regulatory Reform
Click here to download Dr. Ed Timmons’ slides. Click here to download Dr. Matt Mitchell’s slides. The program may also be viewed and shared on Facebook and YouTube.
Legislature Expected to Return to Session July 20
Legislature Expected to Return to Session July 20
The Nebraska Legislature is currently scheduled for a summertime return to its 2020 session, which was suspended due to the COVID-19 emergency. Nebraska Legislature Speaker Jim Scheer says the plan is for senators to return for the final 17 days of legislative business between July 20 and August 13. Prior to the crisis, lawmakers had completed hearings...
Utah Group Supports Rep. Don Bacon’s FLEX Act
Utah Group Supports Rep. Don Bacon’s FLEX Act
The Platte Institute along with almost 30 other free market think tanks are asking Congress to modify the CARES Act to allow for more flexibility in already distributed funds instead of spending more money. Now, Platte’s partner organization in Utah has called on their delegation to support Representative Bacon’s FLEX Act. This press release partners...
April Revenue Numbers Show Pandemic Impact
April Revenue Numbers Show Pandemic Impact
A delayed tax filing deadline and closed businesses in Nebraska has resulted in April state tax revenues that are $292 million below previous monthly projections. While this is a very noticeable impact from the pandemic, the data released by the Nebraska Department of Revenue this morning tells us a bit more about our tax code...
Federal Relief Aid Totals More Than 100% of Nebraska State Budget
Federal Relief Aid Totals More Than 100% of Nebraska State Budget
We don’t know exactly how much money has been sent to Nebraska from the federal government for relief efforts related to the pandemic (how many people got the $1,200 payment?, how many children got the $500 payment?, where did all the PPP money go?, etc.). What we DO know is that the federal government has sent...
Webinar: Impact on Agriculture
Webinar: Impact on Agriculture
Click here to download slides from the program in PDF format. The program may also be viewed and shared on Facebook and YouTube.
Jim Vokal Speaks with White House Office on CARES Act
Jim Vokal Speaks with White House Office on CARES Act
Today, I had the privilege and opportunity to participate in a White House “Listening Session” with the Office of American Innovation. Along with five other state think tank leaders, I was asked to provide feedback to the White House on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis as well the needed recovery efforts. Specifically, I was...