Blog

OpenSky regularly shares blog posts with information on policy and research impacting all Nebraskans.

2025 Session

Follow OpenSky for sound research, data and analysis throughout the 2025 Nebraska Legislative session

OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (1/24/25)

75 Million OpenSky continues to monitor proposed cuts to Medicaid, a joint program between federal and state governments that provides health insurance coverage to more than 75 million people nationwide. The program, which is the single largest insurer in the country, finances about 42% of all births in the country,

Video: Insider Tips for Effective Engagement with your Senator

Have you ever wondered what the best ways are to engage with your state Senator? Check out our video featuring Sen. Jana Hughes and a panel including legislative staff members. Interested in more information throughout the legislative session? Check out our YouTube Channel for more videos or subscribe to OpenSky

5 things to know about the Governor’s budget

The OpenSky team is engaged in a thorough analysis and line-by-line review of the Governor’s proposed two-year budget, and will be tuned in closely to upcoming hearings in the Appropriations Committee. The state of Nebraska must balance its budget in the state’s General Fund. How that is achieved with a

Nebraska News Connection on Jan. 21: Report: Medicaid cuts threaten Nebraska youth

Advocates for young Nebraskans worry proposed federal cuts could affect families who rely on Medicaid for their health care. In a story, OpenSky Executive Director Rebecca Firestone said reduced federal funds would also have an outsized effect on Nebraska’s rural health care providers. Read the story

OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (1/17/25)

$225 billion As the work of the 119th Congress begins in earnest, a key campaign promise of the incoming administration may become one of the first items tackled. The body will consider raising, or otherwise retooling, the cap on SALT tax deductions, the ability of individuals to deduct state and

5 Reasons We Love Nebraska’s Public Schools

It’s I Love Public Schools Day here in Nebraska! Today and every day, at OpenSky we are proud supporters of the smart investments our communities make in their public schools, which provide for our future workforce, economic opportunity and democratic way of life. While we have work to do as

OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (1/10/25)

88% A recent report by the Tax Foundation indicated that 88% of respondents believe that the United States federal tax code needs reform. This was part of a broader study to assess current sentiment around federal taxes, as well as mastery of key concepts related to taxation. Younger and middle-aged

Insider Tips for Effective Engagement with your Senator

Have you ever wondered what the best ways are to engage with your state Senator? Email? Written letter? Hearing testimony? Singing telegram?!? Hosted by Senator Jana Hughes, our virtual panel will feature four current legislative staff members who have seen it all when it comes to constituent engagement. They’ll offer

OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (12/20/24)

$2 billion Idaho schools will receive the second installment of payments this month designed to fix school buildings in serious disrepair after the state voted to authorize $2 billion in funds for such projects in March. The vote came after a scathing ProPublica report about how decades of neglect made

Making Our List and Checking it Twice: OpenSky’s Holiday Recap 

It’s been an incredibly busy year at OpenSky, navigating the regular legislative session, saying goodbye to legislators who will not be returning in January, navigating the heat (both literal and figurative!) in a July special session, helping to defeat one of the largest tax shifts in Nebraska history, linking arms

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Blogs

Blog OpenSky regularly shares blog posts with information on policy and research impacting all Nebraskans.