As our nation and state continue to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, state and federal fiscal policies will play key roles in ensuring the physical and economic health of Nebraska and its residents. OpenSky Policy Institute will be continuously analyzing state and federal policies that impact Nebraskans during this national emergency. The posts below reflect the most current information available at publication. A NOTE ABOUT REACHING OPENSKY STAFF: OpenSky staff are currently working remotely. Remote staff contact information can be found here.

Pandemic response posts:

• Policy brief — COVID-19 and Nebraska’s frontline workers (7/2/2020)
• Webinar panelists: Uncertainty the only certainty regarding economic recovery from the pandemic (Video and slides included) (6/30/2020)
• Register for OpenSky webinar on national, state and local economic impact of the pandemic (6/19/202)
• Policy brief — Closer look at May receipts shows cloudy fiscal picture (6/18/2020)
• Steps Nebraska can still take to help the state’s continued COVID-19 response (5/8/2020)
• Policy brief — Examining three hypothetical revenue scenarios for Nebraska (5/6/2020)
• Lincoln Journal Star on May 2 — Local View by Sens. Kathy Campbell and John Harms (5/2/2020)
• Dispatches from the front lines of Nebraska’s COVID-19 public health crisis (4/24/2020)
• Policy brief — CARES funds vital but likely to be exceeded by needs (4/21/2020)
• State fiscal provisions of the CARES Act (4/21/2020)
• Policy brief — Examining SNAP changes amid COVID-19 response (4/15/2020)
• Policy brief — Expanding Medicaid would help pandemic response (4/9/2020)
• A quick update on the fiscal impact of COVID-19 and the federal/state response (4/8/2020)
• Policy brief — Protecting small businesses/nonprofits amid COVID-19 (4/6/2020)
• Policy brief — COVID-19 leave provisions vital but more can be done (4/2/2020)
• Policy brief — COVID-19 and Unemployment Insurance in Nebraska (3/27/2020)
• Policy brief — Past recessions provide important insight into COVID-19’s fiscal impact (3/25/2020)
• Policy brief — Virus’ impact may warrant revised revenue forecast (3/20/2020)
• Seven policy steps we can take now to help Nebraska respond to COVID-19 (3/19/2020)
• Policy brief — Issues and questions to consider before the budget debate (3/12/2020)