Gov. Jim Pillen has loaded up a self-described “bold and courageous” proposal to decrease property taxes via an increase in state sales taxes. The state sales tax rate would climb by 2 [...]
As reports surfaced that the Pillen administration would seek to raise sales taxes to offset reductions in property taxes, OpenSky Policy Institute noted that a proposed increase in sales taxes would make [...]
Ahead of the 2024 legislative session, Dr. Rebecca Firestone listed priorities for OpenSky Policy Institute in an Op-Ed published in the Omaha World-Herald. "As we embark on the 2024 legislative session," Firestone [...]
Nebraska’s minimum wage will increase from $10.50 an hour to $12 an hour on New Year’s Day. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that 91,000 Nebraska workers — 9.5% of Nebraska’s workforce — [...]
Nebraskans need to be aware of a proposed ballot initiative, “Consumption Tax LB 79,” which will change the way we pay taxes in our state. Backers of the bill want to eliminate [...]
OpenSky Policy Institute welcomed a Scottsbluff man among public servants and industry leaders from western and central Nebraska to serve on its board of directors. Jordan Colwell resides in Scottsbluff and is [...]
Several tax watchdog groups say the Legislature, at the behest of the governor, has gone overboard in depleting state revenue by earmarking too much for property tax relief. But Gov. Jim Pillen [...]
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen approved LB243, or the School District Property Tax Limitation Act, on May 31st, 2023. It is effective for the upcoming school year. Nebraska has historically struggled to fund [...]
It’s difficult to predict impact of such a drastic change. The revenue-neutral rate estimate by Beacon Hill Institute is 7.23%, and Legislative Bill 79 says 7.5%. But OpenSky Policy Institute estimates 22.1%, [...]
Gov. Jim Pillen called the first year for property tax relief from his historic tax cut package "unacceptable" and said it's "not where he expected it to be." The state increased spending [...]