Platte Institute

Check out the latest episode of Nebraskanomics featuring Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers.

During the discussion, Attorney General Hilgers joins Platte CEO Jim Vokal to talk about the importance of good energy policy in Nebraska, how we attract new residents and investment, and the major issues that will shape the future of our state.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.

Nebraskanomics: Attorney General Mike Hilgers on How We Grow Nebraska - Platte Institute Attorney General Mike Hilgers joins Nebraskanomics to discuss energy policy, economic growth, attracting investment, and Nebraska’s future.

ICYMI: Check out the latest op-ed from Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal in the Omaha World-Herald on Nebraska’s next phase of tax reform.

This year’s reforms helped place new guardrails on the unchecked growth of property taxes through stronger Truth in Taxation and new limits on collection growth. But as Jim writes, slowing growth is only the beginning.

The next challenge is delivering meaningful long-term property tax relief while keeping Nebraska competitive for families, workers, and investment.

Read the full op-ed below.

Op-ed: High property taxes are still hurting Nebraska. Here's how the Legislature can do more to help Nebraskans are tired of watching their property tax bills climb year after year while neighboring states aggressively compete for families, workers, businesses, and investment.

Check out our latest blog exploring what Omaha can learn from Des Moines’ rapid economic growth and rising ability to attract young talent, businesses, and investment.

As Nebraska continues to grapple with “brain drain” and long-term competitiveness, this comparison highlights why growth, adaptability, and economic momentum matter for the future of our state.

Read the full blog here:

A Tale of Two Midwestern Cities: What Omaha Can Learn from Des Moines - Platte Institute What can Omaha learn from Des Moines’ rapid growth? A new analysis explores talent retention, economic momentum, and Midwest competitiveness.

Check out the latest op-ed from Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal in the Omaha World-Herald on Nebraska’s next phase of tax reform.

This year, Nebraska took meaningful steps to slow the unchecked growth of property taxes through reforms like stronger Truth in Taxation and new limits on property tax collection growth. But slowing growth is only the beginning.

The next conversation should focus on how Nebraska can actually lower property taxes while maintaining a competitive tax environment that attracts families, workers, and investment.

Read the full piece here:

Op-ed: High property taxes are still hurting Nebraska. Here's how the Legislature can do more to help Nebraskans are tired of watching their property tax bills climb year after year while neighboring states aggressively compete for families, workers, businesses, and investment.

Check out our latest blog on Omaha’s “Censored Shop” lawsuit and what it tells us about occupational licensing boards in Nebraska.

This story highlights why Platte has long supported occupational licensing reforms focused on reducing overreach and protecting economic opportunity.

Read the full blog here:

Dictionary Policing: What Omaha’s “Censored Shop” Tells Us About State Cartels - Platte Institute Omaha’s “Censored Shop” dispute shows how Nebraska licensing boards can overreach, restrict speech, and burden small businesses.

Nebraska has made important progress on income tax reform in recent years, but long-term tax reform requires more than rate cuts alone.

In a new blog, Platte Senior Tax Advisor Jared Walczak explains how sales tax modernization could help Nebraska preserve income tax reform while creating a more competitive environment for growth, jobs, investment, and new residents.

As neighboring states continue pursuing aggressive tax reforms, Nebraska cannot afford to stand still.

Read more:

Sales Tax Modernization Could Help Nebraska Stay Competitive - Platte Institute How sales tax modernization could help Nebraska preserve income tax relief and stay competitive for growth, jobs, and investment.

Nebraska just hit its highest-ever ranking in the Rich States, Poor States report, but there's still plenty of room to grow. What drove the improvement, and what reforms could move the state even higher?

Check out the latest episode of Nebraskanomics featuring Jonathan Williams, President and Chief Economist at American Legislative Exchange Council and co-author of Rich States, Poor States. Jonathan joins Platte CEO Jim Vokal to break down Nebraska’s latest ranking, what top-performing states are doing differently, and where Nebraska can improve moving forward.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Nebraskanomics: ALEC President Jonathan Williams on Nebraska's Latest Ranking - Platte Institute Jonathan Williams joins Nebraskanomics to discuss the latest economic rankings in Rich States, Poor States and how the state can improve.

Check out the latest episode of Nebraskanomics where Jim Vokal sits down with William Beard, co-author of a new Goldwater Institute report on data centers.

We break down what data centers are, why they matter, and what separates the states attracting investment from those getting left behind.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Nebraskanomics: William Beard on how Nebraska Competes for Data Centers - Platte Institute Listen to Nebraskanomics as William Beard joins Jim Vokal to discuss data centers, why they matter, and how states compete for investment.

Check out the latest episode of Nebraskanomics where Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal takes the mic solo to talk about Nebraska’s high property taxes.

In this episode, Jim breaks down the shell game behind rising tax bills and what needs to change to deliver real relief.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Nebraskanomics: Jim Vokal Rants about Property Taxes - Platte Institute Jim Vokal breaks down rising Nebraska property taxes, the shell game behind them, and solutions to bring relief.

Check out the latest episode of Nebraskanomics featuring Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg.

In this episode, Treasurer Spellerberg joins Platte CEO Jim Vokal to break down LB 938, which would create First-Time Home Buyer Savings Accounts in Nebraska, along with the role of the Treasurer’s Office and solutions to high property taxes.

Listen now:

Nebraskanomics: Treasurer Joey Spellerberg on First-Time Home Buyer Savings Accounts in Nebraska - Platte Institute Nebraskanomics: Treasurer Joey Spellerberg on LB 938, home buyer savings accounts, and property taxes in Nebraska.

Check out the latest episode of Nebraskanomics featuring Senator Tom Brandt and Senator Bob Hallstrom.

They join Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal to discuss their legislation to lower Nebraska’s property tax burden, LB 1219 and LB 575 (now amended into LB 803), and what it means for taxpayers.

Listen here:

Nebraskanomics: Senators Brandt and Hallstrom on Property Tax Reform this Year - Platte Institute Nebraskanomics: Senators Brandt and Hallstrom discuss LB 1219, LB 575 (LB 803), and property tax relief in Nebraska.