Nebraska’s Primary Problem, with Unite America’s Tyler Fisher
Nebraska’s Primary Problem, with Unite America’s Tyler Fisher
Election policy expert Tyler Fisher, from the nonpartisan reform group Unite America, joins Jim Vokal to discuss why state and federal election systems often incentivize policy outcomes that leave most Americans dissatisfied, and what Nebraska can do to give the majority of voters more say in who represents them in Lincoln and Washington. A transcript...
Nebraska unemployment rate dips below 2%
Nebraska unemployment rate dips below 2%
Nebraska picked up 1,900 non-farm payroll jobs in April according to new monthly data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state jobless rate fell to 1.9%, keeping Nebraska tied with Utah for the lowest jobless rate in the nation. Overall, Nebraska showed gains on both surveys that make up the monthly jobs report, and...
By Michael Lucci
Strong revenues give Nebraska fuel for more tax reform
Strong revenues give Nebraska fuel for more tax reform
A gusher of tax revenues poured into Nebraska state coffers in April, creating an unexpected revenue bump for the month when most Nebraskans file their annual tax returns. Revenues were strong across the board, with a surge in personal and corporate income taxes more than covering a slight underperformance in sales tax revenues. Nebraska’s surprisingly...
By Michael Lucci
Nebraska’s 2022 tax cuts: What’s good & what’s not
Nebraska’s 2022 tax cuts: What’s good & what’s not
Nebraska entered the 2022 legislative session with its tax code ranked 35th in structural competitiveness, according to Tax Foundation’s 2022 State Business Tax Climate Index. The state will likely improve its position over the coming years as a result of tax changes made in LB873. However, projections show the state may only edge closer to...
By Michael Lucci
Speaker Mike Hilgers and Jim Vokal discuss Nebraska small business on Tech Forward Webcast
Speaker Mike Hilgers and Jim Vokal discuss Nebraska small business on Tech Forward Webcast
How are small businesses in Nebraska using technology to respond to today’s economic challenges? Nebraska Legislature Speaker Mike Hilgers and Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal were among the guests in a recent Tech Forward Webcast hosted by 3C, the Connected Commerce Council. The program featured Nebraska small business leaders discussing the tools that are helping...
Platte Institute names new chair who will help guide Blueprint Nebraska growth plan
Platte Institute names new chair who will help guide Blueprint Nebraska growth plan
by Cindy Gonzalez, Nebraska Examiner North Platte, Nebraska, businessman Pat Keenan, whose career began in the soft drink industry, has been elected chairman of the nonprofit Platte Institute board of directors. Among the organization’s responsibilities is helping to activate economic initiatives in Blueprint Nebraska, a plan led by business and civic leaders to stimulate economic...
Get the facts about Nebraska’s high tax burden
Get the facts about Nebraska’s high tax burden
Two factors determine a state’s overall tax competitiveness. The first factor is the total tax burden, measured as a portion of state income. The second factor is the structure of the state’s tax code – the manner in which those revenues are collected. The goal for tax competitiveness in Nebraska, then, is to maintain a...
By Michael Lucci
Michael Lucci on Making Nebraska Taxes More Competitive
Michael Lucci on Making Nebraska Taxes More Competitive
Platte Institute Senior Policy Advisor Michael Lucci tells Jim Vokal an increasingly mobile workforce is prompting more states to take bold action on tax reform. A transcript of this episode is available below. If you’d like to watch this episode on YouTube, press play below. Or you can listen to the podcast on Spotify or...
3 Reasons to Post Nebraska Legislature Videos Online
3 Reasons to Post Nebraska Legislature Videos Online
Every bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature receives a public hearing. In many ways, this is an extraordinary public service Nebraska offers. Nebraskans can bring numerous policy ideas to state senators, and as long as they can find a member willing to introduce legislation, those ideas will be considered by a legislative committee. Members of...
By Jim Vokal
Nebraskanomics: Iowa’s Incredible Tax Reform Turnaround
Nebraskanomics: Iowa’s Incredible Tax Reform Turnaround
Chris Ingstad of Iowans for Tax Relief joins Jim Vokal to update Nebraskans about major movements on tax policy in the Hawkeye State. A transcript of this episode is available below. If you’d like to watch this episode on YouTube, press play below. Or you can listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts....