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? ...
Make your season bright with Nebraska cottage foods
Make your season bright with Nebraska cottage foods
This Christmas, discover your favorite Nebraska cottage foods.
Seattle restaurant server speaks out on new minimum wage
Seattle restaurant server speaks out on new minimum wage
One of the great free-market economists of my lifetime, the late Milton Friedman, once said: “One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.” That, of course, is true in lots of areas of policy, but if what’s happening in Seattle is any indication, increases in...
Retailer takes free market action for the environment
Retailer takes free market action for the environment
This story is almost 8 months old, but it’s new to me, and since the blog isn’t that old, I thought I’d share it. In abbreviated form, the Aldi grocery chain has committed to having 100% of its packaging be recyclable or reusable by 2025. One story suggested that this is pretty easy for Aldi,...
November state revenues up, especially corporate income tax
November state revenues up, especially corporate income tax
Last month we talked about how the state’s revenues were exceeding forecasts. In the last 30 days there have been many discussions in Lincoln about what to do with this excess cash. Some want to put it into the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund, some want to use it for comprehensive property tax reform, some...
Meat? Yes, we know what that is.
Meat? Yes, we know what that is.
As a former legislator, I understand (although never enjoyed) political pandering. I’ll admit that sometimes I would say nothing or be very non-committal when a group (especially a group of constituents) wanted me to take a particular position, and I’ll also admit that I likely pandered on occasion to groups that I could do it to in...