Research Note: LB106 and the Nebraska livestock siting assessment matrix
Research Note: LB106 and the Nebraska livestock siting assessment matrix
Note: This is the first in a series of Research Notes authored by this year’s Platte Institute Summer Intern, Jakob Myers. Jakob is researching information related to zoning issues involving livestock facilities. The continued growth of Nebraska’s agricultural sector depends significantly on the development and expansion of livestock operations across the state. These projects typically...
By Jakob Myers
The Importance of Charitable Giving, State Think Tanks and the “Big, Beautiful Bill”
The Importance of Charitable Giving, State Think Tanks and the “Big, Beautiful Bill”
At the Platte Institute, our mission is simple: we work to remove barriers that limit growth and opportunity in Nebraska. We believe every Nebraskan deserves the freedom to pursue their version of the Good Life—our state’s own take on the American Dream. Nonprofits like ours are vital to making that vision a reality. Across the...
By Jim Vokal
What Nebraska Can Learn from the Mississippi Miracle in Education
What Nebraska Can Learn from the Mississippi Miracle in Education
The “Mississippi Miracle” is catching headlines across states for delivering education success at a low cost. Most recently, the Kansas Policy Institute reviewed Mississippi’s performance results compared to Kansas and found the Sunflower State lagging. In a February Platte analysis, we found that Nebraska’s K-12 funding is the third-most reliant on property taxes of all...
By Michael Lucci
The Nebraska Impact of Federal Fiscal Reforms
The Nebraska Impact of Federal Fiscal Reforms
Federal fiscal reform will have layers of impact upon states like Nebraska. From taxes to tariffs to entitlements, the highly touted “Big Beautiful Bill” will preserve some elements of America’s fiscal formula while reforming others. Nebraska lawmakers ought to keep an eye on the relevant options on the table and be prepared to respond appropriately. ...
By Michael Lucci
Nonpartisans in Nebraska
Nonpartisans in Nebraska
While Nebraska is often described as one of the most Republican-leaning states in the country, it also has a long and unique history with nonpartisan governance—from its unicameral Legislature to local offices elected without party labels. This white paper reviews the historical roots of nonpartisan reforms in Nebraska, examines shifts in voter registration over the...
By Laura Ebke
Closing Nebraska’s $262 million Biennial Budget Gap
Closing Nebraska’s $262 million Biennial Budget Gap
Platte Institute’s proposal to address the state’s $262 budget gap is to freeze the growth in two tax credit programs. The two-year freeze would yield $162 million in budget savings which, coupled with a $100 million draw down on the state’s rainy-day fund, would fix the issue for the current budget. Going forward, lawmakers should...
By Michael Lucci
Jim Vokal’s Weekly Email: forecasting update
Jim Vokal’s Weekly Email: forecasting update
Last week, Nebraska’s forecasting board revised its projections, and the news wasn’t good. State revenues continue to fall short of expectations, and lawmakers now face an even larger budget gap than they did just weeks ago. If you caught my email last week, you’ll remember we cautioned against oversteering. That message remains just as relevant...
By Jim Vokal
Budget Season: Keep Eyes on the Prize of Tax Competitiveness
Budget Season: Keep Eyes on the Prize of Tax Competitiveness
As the tail end of the legislative session approaches, it’s important for Nebraska lawmakers to keep their eyes on the prize of state tax competitiveness. Revenue uncertainty requires that lawmakers redouble their focus on fiscal discipline and tax competitiveness. For Nebraska, tax competitiveness isn’t just a national issue, it’s a neighborhood issue. Since the year...
By Michael Lucci
Discriminatory Taxes Make Unreliable Revenue Sources
Discriminatory Taxes Make Unreliable Revenue Sources
As Nebraska lawmakers work to close a revenue gap and consider additional property tax relief, they should focus on revenue sources with the wherewithal to produce revenue over time. Unfortunately, the tobacco tax hike proposed in an amendment 603 to LB 170 not only would fail to be an enduring revenue source, it would risk...
By Michael Lucci
Fix Nebraska’s Truth In Taxation Timeline and Tax Rate Rollback
Fix Nebraska’s Truth In Taxation Timeline and Tax Rate Rollback
Nebraska’s property tax ranks 45th in the nation for overall property tax competitiveness, according to the Tax Foundation’s annual state rankings. One reason that Nebraska’s property tax is so uncompetitive is because the overall property tax burden is so high and because Nebraska’s property tax caps are too loose. These problems are interrelated. Over time, effective...
By Michael Lucci