Nebraskanomics

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  One part of the problem is that Nebraska has often let outdated regulations and excessive licensing requirements keep people from working here and putting down roots.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 that meet the needs and interests of people from all walks of and all communities.  Tune into the latest episode of Nebraskanomics to discover our Case Study: How We Helped Create More Jobs In Nebraska.  In this episode, you’ll hear: 1) Brandy’s Story: North Omaha Hair Braider Forced to Close, 2) Cindy’s Story: Government Blocks Cookie Sales to Grow Business, and 3) Marc’s Story: Competitors Veto His Entrance to the Market. Stay tuned until the end where I'll share with you which Nebraska policy is leading the nation, and where we need to improve next. ===  If you want more economic freedom in Nebraska, please visit PlatteInstitute.org to make a donation to help fund our research and advocacy.  Or, you can subscribe to our newsletter and learn about today’s most important issues facing Nebraskans.  ❌It’s time to stop the status quo.  Let’s remove economic barriers and make Nebraskans proud.

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 compare with our neighbors and competitors?, and 3) The unbelievable incompetence of accounting in local government + what to do about it. Stay tuned until the end where I'll share with you what leading experts say the result would be if Nebraska took these steps. === If you want more economic freedom in Nebraska, please visit PlatteInstitute.org to make a donation to help fund our research and advocacy. Or, you can subscribe to our newsletter and learn about today’s most important issues facing Nebraskans. ❌It’s time to stop the status quo. Let’s remove economic barriers and make Nebraskans proud.

Dr. Jeremy Horpedahl, Assistant Professor of Economics at Central Arkansas University, joins Jim to discuss some fast-moving economic indicators, and why the big picture issues may matter more in the months and years ahead.

Do you think Nebraska taxpayers would like to pay $1 billion more in taxes each year? Unfortunately, some groups and policy makers in our state have pushed for this without many people even knowing about it. That's why experts at the Platte Institute go down to the Capitol to testify against expensive policies threatening economic opportunity in Nebraska. In the debut episode of our vlog + podcast series, Nebraskanomics, I’m going to share with you 3 Issues Taxpayers Should Be Concerned About in Nebraska. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1) The Reason Most Taxpayers Don’t Hear About Important Hearings (03:58), 2) 2 Outdated Taxes We Need to Eliminate (06:24), and 3) How Close We Are to Making Our Taxes Even Worse (11:15). Stay tuned until the end where I'll share with you how policymakers even tried to raise taxes on businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. === If you want more economic freedom in Nebraska, please visit PlatteInstitute.org to make a donation to help fund our research and advocacy. Or, you can subscribe to our newsletter and learn about today’s most important issues facing Nebraskans. ❌It’s time to stop the status quo. Let’s remove economic barriers and make Nebraskans proud.

The U.S. Small Business Administration's Nebraska District Director, Leon Milobar, joins Jim Vokal to discuss resources available to small businesses impacted by the pandemic, and even Nebraskans who are still thinking about getting into business.

Sarah Curry joins Jim Vokal to review a week full of major tax-related proposals in Lincoln.

Nebraska Extension's Cindy Brison joins Jim Vokal to discuss a training program that helps Nebraskans start businesses under the state's expanded cottage food law.

Joe Bishop-Henchman is no stranger to Nebraska tax issues. He discusses his new role at the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, where he's challenging federal authorities who may seek to limit Nebraska's control over its own tax and budget policies. 

A campaign in Omaha wants to help the city rethink its approach to housing options and affordability.