Economic Development

Policy brief — An overview of 2021 priority bills

Nebraska legislators and legislative committees have designated their priority bills for the session. Priority bills are placed ahead of non-priority bills on the legislative debate schedule, so receiving a priority designation increases [...]

By OpenSky Policy Institute|2021-04-19T13:57:09-05:00April 19th, 2021|Areas of Research, Ballot Measures, Budget & Budget Process, Economic Development, Education, Federal Tax & Budget, Home Featured, Revenue|Comments Off

Policy brief — Several bills would truly help grow Nebraska’s economy

Economic development and growing Nebraska’s economy is a common refrain every legislative session and this year is no exception. Economic growth has been cited as a reason to advance legislation related to [...]

By OpenSky Policy Institute|2021-02-11T15:19:32-06:00February 11th, 2021|Areas of Research, Economic Development|Comments Off

Policy brief — Examining LB 720 as amended by AM 3049

The ImagiNE Nebraska tax incentive program -- LB 720 as amended by proposed AM 3049 -- will be debated by the Legislature this week. Though the new amendment addresses one issue we [...]

By Craig Beck|2020-08-04T21:09:43-05:00July 21st, 2020|Areas of Research, Economic Development, Revenue|Comments Off

Policy brief – Examining prior, new ImagiNE Nebraska concerns

The ImagiNE Nebraska tax incentive program, which is proposed by LB 720 as amended by AM 2207, is likely to remain a key point of discussion when the Legislature reconvenes in July. [...]

By Craig Beck|2020-05-27T11:57:31-05:00May 27th, 2020|Budget & Budget Process, Economic Development, Home Featured, Revenue|Comments Off

State fiscal provisions of the CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is intended to help offset the fiscal harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. State fiscal relief in the CARES Act provides funding for COVID-19-related expenses -- costs that states could not foresee until the crisis unfolded. Read more details about what is in the CARES Act for Nebraska and other states.

By OpenSky Policy Institute|2020-04-21T15:17:56-05:00April 21st, 2020|Areas of Research, Budget & Budget Process, Economic Development, Health, Home Featured, Revenue|Comments Off

Policy brief — Protecting small businesses and nonprofits amid COVID-19

As mandatory closures and social distancing guidelines caused by COVID-19 continue to wreak havoc on nonprofit organizations and businesses across almost every sector of the economy, the federal government has taken important steps to provide support in the form of grants, loans, and tax credits. As the Small Business Association (SBA) began accepting loan applications pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on April 3, this brief highlights important pieces of the federal coronavirus legislation and acknowledges steps taken at the state and local levels to provide additional support to small businesses, which make up the vast majority of Nebraska businesses.

By OpenSky Policy Institute|2020-04-06T14:24:48-05:00April 6th, 2020|Areas of Research, Economic Development, Home Featured|Comments Off

Policy Brief – COVID-19 leave provisions vital but more can be done

Congress recently passed important changes regarding paid leave that will help many Nebraskans amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal and state leaders, however, can further mitigate the effects of the virus on Nebraskans by taking additional actions to extend paid leave benefits to more workers.

By Craig Beck|2020-04-02T12:10:24-05:00April 2nd, 2020|Areas of Research, Economic Development, Home Featured|Comments Off

Policy brief — COVID-19 and Unemployment Insurance in Nebraska

The onset of the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted some important issues regarding Nebraska's Unemployment Insurance program.

By OpenSky Policy Institute|2020-03-27T14:20:18-05:00March 27th, 2020|Areas of Research, Economic Development, Home Featured|Comments Off

Policy brief — LB 1025 and LB 1045 would improve tax incentive policy

Nebraska’s major tax incentive programs are expensive and have long tails that cause the state to forgo revenue for decades. The programs also lack transparency regarding how the incentive dollars are used and this makes it difficult for Nebraskans to know if incentives are a good investment. Two proposals before the Revenue Committee today -- LB 1025 and LB 1045 -- would help address these issues and in so doing help protect funding for other vital services and ensure tax incentives are a good use of state resources.

By OpenSky Policy Institute|2020-02-20T15:49:27-06:00February 20th, 2020|Economic Development, Home Featured, Revenue|Comments Off

Policy brief – Economic development in a more urbanized Nebraska

As lawmakers prepare for the upcoming legislative session, we reflect back on some of the themes covered at our 2019 Fall Policy Symposium in an effort to help policymakers and others prepare for the important economic development discussions that will take place in the State Capitol starting in January.

By OpenSky Policy Institute|2019-11-12T16:56:14-06:00November 12th, 2019|Economic Development|Comments Off