Nebraskanomics

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.

In 46 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, lawmakers provide an online recording archive of their legislative proceedings. Nebraska is one of just a handful of states that isn’t offering this resource. I’m tempted to say this is such an obvious error, that almost everybody would agree this situation should be changed. But our state has had the technology to make these recordings...

Chris Ingstad of Iowans for Tax Relief joins Jim Vokal to update Nebraskans about major movements on tax policy in the Hawkeye State.

Many different groups of Nebraskans have been trying to tell their leaders they’re not happy with the current approach to taxes. This unhappiness stems not merely from the cost of taxes, but from the way the tax system impacts our ability to succeed in Nebraska and grow the state. Tune into the latest episode of Nebraskanomics, 4 Smart Ways Blueprint Nebraska Fixes Our Tax System. In this episode,...

A Nebraska state senator is proposing one way state agencies can ready the rulemaking process for changes in technology, and make sure innovative firms or business models aren't stifled by outdated regulations.

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.

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.

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.

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? This is what Blueprint Nebraska aims to solve. Blueprint Nebraska is an economic growth campaign managed in partnership between the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Aksarben Foundation, and the Platte Institute. Tune into the latest episode of Nebr...

The chair of the Unicameral's budget-writing Appropriations Committee joins Jim to discuss the financial picture for Nebraska and the qualities that he'd suggest his colleagues look for in a successor for leading the committee.

Tom Henning, a Kearney-based food industry executive, serves on the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board, which projects how much tax revenue the state will bring in each year. He joins Jim to discuss the latest revenue numbers, how the board uses economic data to make its estimates, and what current economic trends suggest may be up ahead for Nebraska.

CPA Jim Greisch discusses why more than $50 million in property tax relief credits have gone unclaimed so far, and the alternatives offered by Blueprint Nebraska's tax modernization plan.

Valentine, Nebraska Mayor Kyle Arganbright, Dr. Emily Hamilton of the Mercatus Center, Kathy Mesner of Mesner Development, and Grace Thomas of the Verdis Group and Omaha's Missing Middle Housing Campaign discuss the role housing will play in the growth of Nebraska communities, and in some cases, their economic survival.

With more than 50,000 jobs currently available in Nebraska, Jim discusses ways to remove barriers to welcoming more workers to Nebraska with Navy veteran and electrician Mike Beyer.

Tax attorney Tom Yamachika of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii explains how the types of taxes states have, or the way they are designed, can cause states to lose revenue or to impose higher tax rates than necessary.

William Glasgall and former New York Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch of the Volcker Alliance join Jim to discuss why a major influx of federal money might be mismanaged under current local government financial practices.

In our last episode , we discussed some of the practical and economic reasons why Nebraska should eliminate more of its sales tax exemptions. Now, let’s talk about crafting a vision for a better tax system and how modernizing the sales tax fits into any plan to make bold changes in our state. Tune into the latest episode of Nebraskanomics to watch Making Cents: Why Nebraska Should Modernize the Sa...

Most people take for granted that the sales tax is the tax we pay when we buy things. But if you look carefully at your receipts, you’ll begin to notice most of the things you buy in Nebraska don’t have sales tax collected on them. This is also known as a sales tax exemption. On one hand, you might say “hey, that’s great, one place I’m finally getting a tax break.” On the other hand, Nebraska has...

Nebraska Angels Executive Director Steph Luebbe discusses the growth of angel investing in Nebraska and the resources available for firm founders and aspiring entrepreneurs.

A new nonprofit journalism outlet will to help fill gaps in Nebraska's media market by telling statewide stories and improving government transparency. Former USA Today and Omaha World-Herald data journalist Matt Wynn discusses the launch of The Flatwater Free Press.

With a recent legislative change in Iowa, Nebraska will become the only state west of the Mississippi to levy an inheritance tax. Jim Vokal reviews the causes of Nebraska's unique situation, what Nebraskans think about the tax, and practical advice lawmakers can use to end this 19th-century-inspired tax.

The property tax transparency law called Truth in Taxation is new to Nebraska, but a similar law has been on the books in Utah since 1985. Two Utah-based experts, Rusty Cannon of the Utah Taxpayers Association, and former Utah state Sen. Howard Stephenson, join Jim to discuss how the policy has worked in the Beehive State and what pointers they have for Nebraska taxpayers.

Nebraska has more available jobs than people to fill them, making attracting and retaining workforce talent an important challenge for our state to address.  One part of the problem is that Nebraska has often let outdated regulations and excessive licensing requirements keep people from working here and putting down roots.  We also need more entrepreneurs to create more and better jobs t...

Former Nebraska state Sen. Jim Smith is joining the Platte Institute as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. He discusses his past work at Blueprint Nebraska and how its initiatives are being carried over to the Platte Institute.

Do you ever wonder why Nebraska doesn't seem to have its act together when it comes to taxes? Politicians want you to think it's a red or blue problem. It's not. It's a lack of vision problem. Tune into the latest episode of Nebraskanomics to learn the 5 Essential Steps to Reform Nebraska Taxes. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1) Why are Nebraska property taxes so high?, 2) How does our income tax...