At OpenSky, we prioritize data and evidence to ensure our work is a credible, unbiased and reliable resource for policymakers, media and all Nebraskans.
Our primers aim to provide an overview of the issues important to creating fair and just outcomes for everyone.
“A Healthy Nebraska,” updated in 2023, provides an overview of Medicaid and CHIP funding in Nebraska.
“Taking Ownership,” released in 2023, explores the history of property taxes in Nebraska with information on the valuation process, how revenues are distributed and efforts the state has made to lower property taxes.
“Investing In Our Future,” updated in 2025, explores how Nebraska has paid for K-12 education in the past, how it does so now and discusses the perceived inequities of our current system.
“Sustaining the Good Life,” updated in 2025, examines the use and funding of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in our state.
Keep tabs on policy changes under consideration as the Nebraska Legislature meets each year.
Using census data, OpenSky produced fact sheets showing the diversity among Nebraska’s 49 legislative districts.
OpenSky compiled profiles of Nebraska’s public school districts to help taxpayers to better understand education funding.
Learn about proposal to replace most state and local taxes with a single tax on consumption.
Learn about proposals for taxpayer-funded scholarship programs that threaten funding for public schools.
$401,538 The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) was granted an extension in October 2024 allowing additional time to spend down federal funds allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically those granted under the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief – Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) program. Of the $3.5 million originally granted to […]
30 Up to 30 Lincoln children will have the opportunity to attend Prep Academy, a childcare center serving students birth through Kindergarten, at TMCO. The project was given a green light by the Lincoln City Council this week in a unanimous vote. TMCO, which has operated in Lincoln for more than 50 years, is a […]
This is a pivotal moment in our country, state and local communities for SNAP, the program designed to fill the gaps for families who would otherwise go hungry. We heard from a variety of stakeholders on the importance of the program, how it works, common misconceptions about SNAP beneficiaries, and how you can use your […]
$136.3 Billion The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) recently released their analysis on the Educational Choice for Children Act, (ECCA) federal legislation introduced by Rep. Adrian Smith of Nebraska to offer dollar-for-dollar income tax credits for charitable donations to nonprofits that distribute vouchers to K-12 private schools. ITEP finds that this legislation would […]
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.
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Resources At OpenSky, we prioritize data and evidence to ensure our work is a credible, unbiased and reliable resource for policymakers, media and all Nebraskans. Primers Our primers aim to provide an overview of the issues important to creating fair and just outcomes for everyone. Medicaid “A Healthy Nebraska,” updated
