Civic Nebraska is sponsoring an online activity that pairs up Nebraskans from different points of view, to create conversation and build understanding statewide. Nancy Petitto joins Jim Vokal to discuss The Unify Challenge. Visit UnifyNebraska.com to learn more and find sign-up information. A transcript of this discussion is available below. You can also listen to the audio...
Dear Friend, Last week, senators gave final approval to Sen. Rob Clements’ LB310, which cuts Nebraska’s county-levied inheritance tax. Here are the provisions that would take effect in 2023: Reduces the top inheritance tax rate from 18% to 15%. Reduces the middle rate from 13% to 11%. The exemption amount for the 15% rate will...
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss and Erin Norman, a polling and messaging expert for the State Policy Network, join Jim to discuss the impact of rising inflation on Nebraska’s economy and voter sentiments. A transcript of this discussion is available below. You can also listen to the audio version of Nebraskanomics on Apple Podcasts and...
The Nebraska Legislature has given final approval to Sen. Robert Clements’ Legislative Bill 310, which reduces Nebraska’s county-levied inheritance tax. The bill passed by a vote of 37-1. It now awaits the governor’s signature. With an amendment provided by the Legislature’s Revenue Committee and provisions from another inheritance tax-related bill by state Sen. Wendy DeBoer,...
Senators serving on the Unicameral’s Executive Board of the Legislative Council recently met for a public hearing on Sen. Tom Brewer’s LB777, a bill that would require the creation of an online video archive of their proceedings in time for the 2023 session. The Executive Board is a special legislative committee that deals with the...
Foreword by Jim Smith Jim Smith is Chief Strategy Officer at the Platte Institute and former President of Blueprint Nebraska. He also previously served as a State Senator and chaired the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature. In 2018 and 2019, I had the opportunity to work with business leaders from across...
In the past, Nebraska’s main property tax relief program appeared automatically on your property tax bill. While that program will continue, to benefit from the income tax credit provided to property taxpayers in the Nebraska Property Tax Incentive Act, you need to make sure you’re filing the right form (Form PTC) when you submit your...
Nebraska state Sen. Anna Wishart has introduced a bill to make Nebraska a more inviting state for innovative entrepreneurs and startups. LB1127 would establish what is known as an industry agnostic or all-inclusive regulatory sandbox in Nebraska. What is a regulatory sandbox, and how does it work? Regulatory sandboxes are gaining momentum in many industries,...
Is tax reform a tired trope in Nebraska politics, or do Nebraskans really consider the state’s tax system out of step with their economic concerns? A new Platte Institute poll shows most Nebraska voters do think tax policy is part of the reason the state struggles to compete and grow its workforce, and there’s broad...
Nebraska’s state tax revenues remained above projections overall at the end of calendar year 2021. According to the most recent Nebraska Department of Revenue news release, although miscellaneous tax revenues were 28.5% below forecast, net revenues for December 2021 were $509 million or 7.4% above the certified forecast. December tax refunds were also $6 million...
The Tax Foundation’s Annual State Business Tax Climate Index tracks which states offer the most competitive tax codes. Vice President for State Projects Jared Walczak joins Jim to discuss Nebraska’s unfinished business in 2022. A transcript of this discussion is available below. You can also listen to the audio version of Nebraskanomics on Apple Podcasts...
Nebraska lawmakers are set to debate Sen. Rob Clements’ Legislative Bill 310, which would reduce the inheritance tax levied by county governments. Meanwhile, some legislators are supporting measures to end the inheritance tax altogether, including Sen. Joni Albrecht’s recently filed AM1511, which would phase out the tax by 2028. A December 2021 Platte Institute poll...
What needs to change to make Nebraska a more attractive place to live, work, start a business, invest for the future, and put down roots? Of course, there isn’t one single answer. That’s why today, we’re talking about the many different ways Blueprint Nebraska can help grow the economy by harnessing our strengths, overcoming our...
There’s plenty of reasons people should want to live in Nebraska, and Nebraska’s leaders are now highlighting the state’s strengths and benefits through a new ad campaign entitled, The Good Life Is Calling. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed families and businesses to rethink a lot of daily life, including where they want to live and...