Lincoln Business Beat

Bud Synhorst with Citizens for Free Enterprise joins Jim Ballard and Mark Vail for a summary review of the mid-term election results.

Lincoln and Mark discuss the the ballot questions before voters November 3rd, LIBA's position on some of them and why. Also, a review of some property valuations that may boggle the mind.

Dispelling the Mythical Narratives Surrounding Rising Property Taxes: Part 1 - 'Don't Blame the Assessor - the Problem Lies at City Hall. Part 2 - Property Owners aren't Completely Wrong - At Time the Assessor Actually IS the Problem.

Abby Flaugh, LIBA Member Services & Events Coordinator, joins Jim Ballard and Mark Vail on this edition of the Lincoln Business Beat. Abby is the newest member of the LIBA team. We learn Abby's story, what her duties include, and how she contributes to the LIBA mission.

Former State Senator and Tax Commissioner Tony Fulton, spokesperson for Good Government Lincoln, goes in-depth with Jim Ballard and Mark Vail on the issues that surfaced before getting 3 City Charter Petition Amendments on the November ballot.

LIBA Secretary and LIBA PAC Chair Phil Young joins Mark Vail for a summary of LIBA PAC candidate interviews. Also, a couple of upcoming LIBA PAC Fundraisers are discussed. Finally, a brief discussion on Lincoln City Charter initiatives from Good Government Lincoln and the alternative initiatives from the Lincoln City Council

Lancaster County Commissioner Matt Schulte joins Jim Ballard and Mark Vail to discuss several items: Data Centers and Moratorium Proposal, County Budget-Taxes and Spending, Infrastructure and more.

Nebraska's Property Tax Request Act, informally named 'The Pink Postcard Law' requires taxing entities to hold a public hearing if its 'ask' is above an Allowable Growth Rate + Real Growth Percentage. Lincoln and Mark take a deep dive on the joint hearing September 17th which will include presentations by the City of Lincoln, Lincoln Public Schools, Norris Public Schools and Waverly Public Schools...

Rich Otto, Executive Director of the Nebraska Retail Federation, goes in-depth with Jim Ballard and Mark Vail on the Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Competition Act of 2026.

Budgets are discussed by Lincoln and Mark on the rhetoric and the transparency (or lack of) during the process by Lancaster County. Also, the latest on the Good Government Lincoln petition signature investigation.

Since 2004, Pastor Tom Barber has served Lincoln's People's City Mission as CEO. During his tenure, the Mission has expanded its services to the community. In this edition of the Lincoln Business Beat, Pr Barber discusses with Jim Ballard and Mark Vail how he runs the non-profit more like a business and how the results tell an amazing story.

When the low bidder doesn't get the job and City of Lincoln Finances - Budgeting, Surpluses, Public Accountability and Transparency

Anthony 'Tony' Goins joins Jim Ballard and Mark Vail for a discussion on building and running a business in Lincoln. Tony has a long track record in corporate business, banking, cyber security and private lounges. He is an entrepreneur, author, mentor and public speaker and the discussion covers a wide variety of these topics.

Guest Cody Schmick, entrepreneur, owner of Kincaider Brewing and Sideshow Spirits joins Jim Ballard and Mark Vail to discuss his entrepreneurial journey. In addition to talking about his businesses there's also discussion on work force development, workforce retention, business climates and more.

Lincoln and Mark talk about 3 City Charter Commission Petitions; Election Cycle Change, City Council Term Limits and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Voting. A review of voter turnout from past elections a review of several other cities that have adopted City Election Cycles that match Federal and State Election schedules

Jim Ballard and Mark Vail discuss a variety of topics from NE AG's lawsuit against the City of Lincoln over its minimum wage ordinance to property taxes and more.

Issues discussed on this edition of the Lincoln Business Beat: City/County Land Swap, Lincoln Mayor's Proposed Budget, City Charter Amendment Petitions and more.

Constantine Syniy, owner of All Pro Heating and Air Conditioning and the Nebraska Christmas Lights show talks about immigrating to the US from Ukraine in 2021, working then starting his own business and then, to give to the community, established the Nebraska Christmas Lights show.

Lincoln went looking for more details and understanding about the origin of City budget surpluses. Lincoln and Mark discuss what was found.

Larry Middendorf, Area Director and Steve Hawkins, Associate Area Director of the Christian Business Men Connection organization, join Jim Ballard and Mark Vail for a discussion about what CBMC is and does in the community.

Dan Kline, Jr. is our guest on this edition of the Lincoln Business Beat. Lincoln, Mark and Dan talk about Assisted Living Facilities and Memory Care. Dan is with Waterford Assisted Living and Memory Care

Contradicting Outlooks with Counterintuitive Indicators. Some data looks good (stock markets up), and some data doesn't look good (bankruptcies and/or small-business stress). Lincoln and Mark discuss it on this edition of the Lincoln Business Beat

Lynne McNally CEO and Lori Thomas COO with Nebraska Horsemen join host Jim Ballard and Mark Vail for an in-depth discussion about WarHorse Casino's status, the amount of economic activity generated, tax receipts and more. Also, an update on two ballot initiatives for on-line gambling or more.

Lincoln and Mark discuss the 2026 LIBA Celebration of Free Enterprise and then transition to the economic realities facing business and government.

Host Jim Ballard along with Mark Vail welcome Nebraska State Senators Carolyn Bosn and Beau Ballard for a discussion on the 109th Session of the Nebraska Legislature - 2nd Session -