LB 422 could help modernize Nebraska’s sales tax
LB 422 -- a measure that will be the focus of a Wednesday Revenue Committee hearing -- would help modernize Nebraska’s sales tax by expanding the tax to more services and lower the [...]
Webinar preview: Principles of sound taxation
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Professor Richard Pomp of the University of Connecticut School of Law was the featured presenter at OpenSky’s inaugural Legislative Symposium. At that time, the [...]
New federal stimulus provisions have state budget implications
Congress has passed a $900 billion package to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year and provide needed COVID relief to individuals and businesses. Several provisions will have a [...]
Registration open for Jan. 8 webinar on the principles of sound tax policy
Registration is now open for a Friday, Jan. 8 OpenSky webinar about principles of sound tax policy. As lawmakers prepare to resume the state’s tax debate, OpenSky Executive Director Renee Fry will host [...]
Recommended tax shift is a bad idea for Nebraska
In a report released Oct. 13, the D.C.-based Tax Foundation recommended changes to Nebraska’s tax code that would fund tax cuts for the wealthy through a tax increase on low- and middle-income families. Such [...]
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.
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.
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.
OpenSky Column: Combined fiscal impact of high-profile bills could create major budget problems; Still time to register for Friday’s NAM forum
In a column that appeared in The Grand Island Independent on Monday, OpenSky Policy Institute Executive Director Renee Fry wrote, "As Nebraska lawmakers head into the heart of this short session, three proposals -- LB 720, LB 974 and LB 1084 -- have emerged as the most prominent fiscal items for the Legislature to address this year. And a major factor for lawmakers to keep in mind is that the bills’ combined fiscal impact could make it difficult to impossible to balance the state budget without having to raise taxes or slash funding for vital state services like K-12 education."
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.