Today is the deadline for filing federal and state income taxes. At OpenSky Policy Institute, we have spent 15 years studying the impact of tax and budget policy decisions on Nebraska families. As United States Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. famously stated, “Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society,” and we wanted to highlight some of the ways your investment in our state helps us all to achieve the Good Life.
Here are 6 incredible things your tax dollars support in Nebraska:
World-Class Stargazing
Many of us gazed toward the heavens during the recent voyage of Artemis II, but you might not be aware that right here in Nebraska, we have 729 acres of world-class stargazing at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, which is recognized as an International Dark Sky Place that minimizes light pollution to allow for optimal stargazing. Located in the scenic Sandhills in Cherry County, this area is maintained by the Nebraska Game and Parks Department and hosts an annual Star Party every summer.
A Holly Jolly Christmas
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture publishes a comprehensive directory of local Christmas tree farms across the state. Approximately 20 diligent growers tend to their crop including Scotch, Austrian, Red and White pine; Colorado blue and Norway spruce; and Balsam, Concolor, Cannan, Fraser and Douglas fir trees, so families can visit to tag their tree and support the local economy.
A Potential Cure for Pancreatic Cancer
In 2023, the Legislature earmarked $15 million to establish a Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Matching private funds have bolstered a center that is on the leading edge of research for understanding, preventing and treating one of the world’s most lethal cancers. The Center receives funding from a variety of sources for active clinical investigations into the disease, but is housed under UNMC’s Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, one of just 73 NCI-designated Cancer Centers in the nation.
Riding the (Former) Rails
Nebraska is home to one of the the longest rails-to-trails conversion in the country, which utilizes the infrastructure in out-of-use rail lines to create recreational opportunities for cyclists, runners, and more. The 321-mile Cowboy Trail connects 30 rural communities and all four of the state’s ecoregions. It has 200 different bridges and plenty of scenery. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission maintains the trail for the enjoyment of all.
Award-Winning Sips
Nebraska is home to 28 wine producers, with 345 vineyard acres. A single acre of vineyard can produce roughly 2 to 5 tons of grapes per year. On average, one ton of grapes makes about 60 cases or 720 bottles of wine. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture administers the federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which invests in research and development for Nebraska vintners. According to the Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association, the wine industry boosted the Nebraska economy by $1.82 billion in 2025.
Hitting the Road
The Nebraska Department of Transportation oversees and manages an infrastructure network that includes over 10,000 miles of roads and 3,500 bridges across the state. That would be enough to reach from Earth to space more than 160 times! The state highway system carries 63.5% of all vehicle miles traveled in the state.
