OpenSky is a leading source of evidence-based policy analysis in Nebraska and its work and experts are often cited in reporting on important issues.
Nebraska Public Media attended OpenSky’s 2025 Policy Symposium and heard from policymakers at various levels of government and across the state. Here’s what they shared.
Dr. Rebecca Firestone weighed in on difficult tax and budget decisions looming on the horizon for the Nebraska Legislature. Read more here.
The Omaha World Herald’s Josh Reyes details several tax policies currently under consideration in the Nebraska Legislature. Read more here.
Dr. Rebecca Firestone spoke with Fred Knapp of Nebraska Public Media about the importance of maintaining a robust cash reserve to safeguard the state in the event of economic downturn, and underscored the importance of sustainable budget decisions amid an additional $190 million budget shortfall. Click here to read more.
Several members of the OpenSky Policy Institute team attended the final meeting of the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board last week and offered comment to the Nebraska Examiner regarding the budget deficit. Click here to read more.
Is Nebraska going bankrupt? KETV investigates several viral TikTok posts claiming the state is on the verge of bankruptcy. Dr. Rebecca Firestone outlines the current budget situation. Watch the story here.
Dr. Rebecca Firestone offers reaction to the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board’s February meeting, which reflected improvements in the the state’s fiscal outlook. Uncertainty remains, especially as Congress consdiers signficiant cuts in the federal contribution to programs that comprise a signficiant portion of Nebraska’s budget. Read the story here.
Education advocacy organizations, including OpenSky Policy Institute, and the state’s largest rural-focused organizations largely endorsed an “incremental” proposal Monday to reform Nebraska’s core school finance formula. Read the story
The fiscal note for LB 509, the Opportunity Scholarships Act, said this program would cost the state $25 million and eventually more than that. In its story, KMTV mentioned testimony from OpenSky’s Rebecca Firestone. “The state can’t pass a budget that’s not balanced. The state would have to find a
For the third time, a school voucher bill is being considered at the Nebraska State Capitol. In its story, WOWT quoted testimony from OpenSky Executive Director Rebecca Firestone, who said LB 509 could become expensive quickly, adding to Nebraska’s $432 million budget shortfall. “This type of program is basically introducing
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
President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear that he plans to at least shake up the U.S. Department of Education. In its story, KOLN-TV notes an OpenSky Policy Institute report on federal funding of special education in Nebraska. Read the story
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Nebraska Public Media attended OpenSky’s 2025 Policy Symposium and heard from policymakers at various levels of government and across the state. Here’s what they shared.
