Since our inception, OpenSky has held numerous policy symposiums that helped connect thought leaders, issue-area experts, community members and others to Nebraska legislators, media members, policy advocates and everyday Nebraskans in an effort to improve the discussion around key policy issues.
Over the years, thousands have attended these events to learn more about pressing issues that face our state and our economy and about potential solutions to help move Nebraska forward. Oftentimes issues and topics discussed during our symposiums are later incorporated into policy proposals and become the focal point of legislative debate, news stories and other conversations.
We held our first Legislative Symposium in January of 2013 ahead of discussion about a proposal to eliminate Nebraska’s income taxes. The Legislative Symposium then became an annual staple and serves as a tool to help us inform the discussion around key issues that are likely to be discussed in that year’s legislative session.
In 2015, we held our first Fall Policy Symposium at Innovation Campus in Lincoln. The fall event historically has allowed us to take a big-picture look at issues like tax policy, economic development, evidence-based state budgeting and the intersection of public policy and racial and ethnic equity.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced us to take many of these events online over the past few years but even with the format change, we have been able to continue to use these forums to inform Nebraskans about key issues and improve our policy discussions.
We’re excited to note that we’ll be back in person for our Fall Policy Symposium this year on Thursday, Sept. 22 at Innovation Campus in Lincoln! Planning for the event is underway and details about programming and registration will be announced in the coming weeks! We hope you’ll mark your calendars and plan to join us for a day of conversation about key policy issues that face our state and its leaders.
Also, you can make an online donation to OpenSky today to help ensure we continue to offer these kinds of programs into our next decade.