Nebraskanomics

Join us in this episode of Nebraskanomics as we welcome Speaker John Arch. During this episode we dive into what to expect from the 2024 legislative session and Platte's priorities. Speaker Arch shares valuable insights he gained from the 2023 session and how he plans to use his position to improve Nebraska this next year. If you want more economic freedom in Nebraska, please visit platteinsti...

Tune into the latest episode of Nebraskanomics, A View from Behind the Glass, to hear from three of our staff members who are former Nebraska state senators: • Jim Smith, Chief Strategy Officer • Dr. Laura Ebke, Senior Fellow • Nicole Fox, Director of Government Relations During the episode host Jim Vokal Platte Institute CEO discusses with the Senators our wins from last year, what to expect this...

Join us on this episode of Nebraskanomics where we welcome Brides to Hope Executive Director Rhonda Mattingly. During the episode Rhonda, Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal, and Platte Senior Fellow Laura Ebke, dive into the mission of Bridges to Hope, how we are helping support their mission through a micro-grant, and how community partners like Bridges to Hope help enhance Nebraska's workforce....

Join us on this episode of Nebraskanomics where we welcome Kearney City Manager Mike Morgan. During the episode Mike and Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal dive into what's worked for Kearney, how we can address rising taxes, and how we can improve efficiencies within municipalities. If you want more economic freedom in Nebraska, please visit platteinstitute.org to make a donation to help fund our...

Join us on this episode of Nebraskanomics where we welcome Platte Institute Senior Policy Advisor Michael Lucci. During the episode Michael and Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal dive into what's next for tax relief , how we can address steep valuation increases, and how we can improve Nebraska's Truth in Taxation law. If you want more economic freedom in Nebraska, please visit platteinstitute...

Join us on this episode of Nebraskanomics where we welcome Platte Institute Senior Fellow Dr. Laura Ebke. During the episode Dr. Ebke and Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal dive into recent microgrants from Platte Institute as a part of the dignity project, LB16, and other ways we can improve Nebraska’s workforce. If you want more economic freedom in Nebraska, please visit platteinstitute.org to make...

Join us in this episode of Nebraskanomics as Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal breaks down the shell game that continues to drive up your property taxes. If you want more economic freedom in Nebraska, please visit platteinstitute.org to make a donation to help fund our research and advocacy. It's time to stop the status quo. Let's remove economic barriers and make Nebraskans proud.

Join us in this episode of Nebraskanomics as we welcome Senator Lou Ann Linehan. During this episode we dive into this years tax relief efforts, choice in education, and where Nebraska goes from here. Senator Linehan shares valuable insights from her years as revenue committee chairwoman and champion of tax relief. === If you want more economic freedom in Nebraska, please visit platteinstitute.org...

Join us in this episode of Nebraskanomics as we welcome Jonathan Williams, Chief Economist and EVP for the American Legislative Exchange Council. We dive into the significance of state tax policies and their impact on economic competitiveness. Jonathan shares valuable insights from the Rich State's Poor State's report, a guide ranking the economic outlook of each state. Stay tuned as we di...

500,000 Nebraskans read The Flatwater Free Press’ weekly report. Each week, this organization updates their database of government salaries in Nebraska through their Government Transparency Project. Today on Nebraskanomics, I’m joined by Matt Wynn, the executive director of The Flatwater Free Press. Tune into the latest episode of Nebraskanomics, Tracking Government Salaries, to learn about their...

❌People aren’t moving to Nebraska. From tax year 2019 to 2020, Nebraska ranked 45th for the net percentage of income taxpayers brought from other states by moving. Idaho added a net of 36,000+ taxpayers (or a 2% boost to its population), while Nebraska lost a net about 4,200 people to migration. Tune into the latest episode of Nebraskanomics, 4 Ways to Make Nebraska Compete with Anyone , to learn...

The Unicameral is undergoing a great loss of historical knowledge and experience. There are 16 new state senators, which is nearly one in every three legislative seats. Tune into the latest episode of Nebraskanomics, A View from Behind the Glass , to hear from three of our staff members who are former Nebraska state senators: Jim Smith, Chief Strategy Officer Dr. Laura Ebke, Senior Fellow Nicole F...

Nebraska ranks 39th in the country for property tax competitiveness. Tune into the latest episode of Nebraskanomics, The Future of Nebraska’s Tax Policy, to understand how we need to modernize our tax policy.  Joining me today is Michael Lucci, The Platte Institute's Senior Policy Advisor. Previously, Michael was the vice president of state projects at The Tax Foundation, the vice president o...

Can you believe that Nebraska is one of the VERY last states in the country to post its own state government meeting videos online for the public to watch? The Unicameral has to step up its own game when it comes to transparency. Tune into the latest episode of Nebraskanomics, No More Excuses: Post the Unicameral’s Meeting Videos Online , to discover the three reasons why there is no excuse for se...

Did you know that Nebraska is one of only a FEW states that does not archive video recordings online to make them available to view later? Tune into the latest episode of Nebraskanomics, Why Transparent Governments Post Hearings Online , to understand the impact of building a video archive in our policymaking process. Joining me today is Nicole Fox, Director of Government Relations at The Platte I...

Are you sick of your local government making increases to your property taxes? Thanks to the Truth in Taxation law, constituents can now participate in a process to express their concerns and help protect your household or business finances. Today, I’m joined by Patrick Bonnett, an elected official who serves on one of many local boards that levy property taxes. He is also the President and CEO of...

Want a say in how your property taxes are decided? Participate in a Truth in Taxation hearing. Every year in September, Nebraska's Truth in Taxation law requires cities, counties, school districts, and community college districts to directly notify taxpayers about proposed major property tax increases and hold public hearings where taxpayers can express their views about property taxes in their co...

Jim Vokal and Laura Ebke discuss how you can help keep Nebraska property taxes in check and learn more about Nebraska's new Truth in Taxation law at PlatteInstitute.org/Truth .

Platte Institute Community Engagement Director Elizabeth Hallgren joins Jim Vokal to talk about her experiences as an educator and small business advocate, and how Nebraskans can stay informed and help remove barriers to success in their state.

City clerks in 17 small Nebraska towns have been caught stealing from taxpayers in recent years. Addie Costello of the Flatwater Free Press and Nebraska Deputy Auditor Craig Kubicek discuss ways Nebraskans can trust but verify what government is doing with your money, and what to do if you see something that might be wrong.

Eli Vedral, a student-athlete at Creighton University, joins Jim to discuss how a change in Nebraska legislation enabled him to start a home-based baking business, Kookaburra Cookies.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Nebraska communities of all sizes were experiencing housing shortages, and from 2008 to 2018, Nebraska saw the 6th fastest increase in home prices among all states. That’s why the Blueprint Nebraska economic initiative has set the goal of increasing the housing supply and making our state a national leader for housing affordability. Tune into the latest episode o...

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.

On a special episode of Nebraskanomics, Jim Smith asks three experts on telecommunications and regulation about the state's progress on grant programs that expand broadband connectivity. Nebraska Public Service Commissioner Mary Ridder, Nebraska Legislature Transportation and Telecommunications Committee Legal Counsel Mike Hybl, and Hamilton Communications General Counsel Jim Ediger are our guests...

Platte Institute Senior Fellow Laura Ebke says there's more the state can do to welcome workers with career and military experience to join Nebraska's workforce.