2.3%

Very few wealthy Nebraskans packed up and moved across the border over the past decade as compared to other states. Only Texas, California, Michigan, Minnesota, Alabama and Louisiana had smaller out-migration rates than Nebraska’s average annual rate of 2.3% among households with incomes of at least $200,000.

In cutting taxes again this year, Nebraska lawmakers said giving tax breaks to top earners was necessary to remain competitive with other states. But an analysis of available evidence shows that state taxes have little effect on where people decide to live. Instead, people move to other states in large part for employment opportunities and family reasons. Secondarily they move for less expensive housing, and especially among retirees, a snow-free climate.

Watch OpenSky webinar on out-migration in Nebraska

$6.6 million

Tax credits for private school scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis in Nevada, as will be the case in Nebraska under LB 753.

This year, one scholarship granting organization – a Florida-based nonprofit – was at the front of the line and gained approval from the Nevada Department of Taxation for all $6.6 million in available credits. With donors to other SGOs unlikely to follow through with contributions not tied to a tax credit, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said hundreds of students on taxpayer-funded scholarships last year will likely lose them without state lawmakers adding money to the program.

$890

As students return to school, the average family with children will spend $890 on back-to-school shopping, according to the National Retail Foundation. That adds up to $41.5 million nationwide, an all-time record. Those extra dollars, however, aren’t going as far as previous years. Since 2018, the cost of a pack of pencils is up 45%. A lunchbox costs 63% more.

Back-to-school spending extends to teachers, with 90% saying they’ll use their own money to pay for classroom supplies not covered by their school district.

View story on teachers from KETV

$1.6 billion

Speaking of back-to-school shopping, sales tax holidays often timed to the end of summer will cost states and localities $1.6 billion in lost revenue this year. Tax holidays are scheduled in 19 states, and for most families, the benefits are minimal. In fact, if the long-term consequences of lost tax revenue is a higher sales tax rate, low-wage taxpayers may ultimately be worse off.

$2 million

Gov. Jim Pillen’s office said the state will pull up to $2 million from federal funds sent to Nebraska through the American Rescue Plan Act to cover the cost of sending National Guard members to assist at the U.S. border with Mexico.

The state received $1.04 billion in ARPA funds designated to stabilize state and local governments in the wake of COVID-19. State lawmakers earlier this year overcame a veto by Pillen to provide funds for a state audit to examine the use of ARPA funds appropriated by the Legislature.

To be eligible for ARPA funds, programs must provide assistance to individuals harmed by the pandemic. There’s flexibility for state and local governments to use the funds to cover a loss of revenue in paying for routine services.