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Platte Institute helps Nebraskans remove economic barriers with policy research & legislative advice.

The Platte Institute helps Nebraskans remove economic barriers with policy research and legislative advice. If you want more economic freedom in Nebraska, please visit PlatteInstitute.org to make a donation to help further our research.

06/04/2026

How do Nebraska’s property tax reforms compare to Iowa’s?

Iowa recently adopted a 2% hard cap on property tax growth. Nebraska’s system allows substantially more growth under its formula tied to government spending growth.

Check out our latest blog comparing the two approaches and why the distinction matters for Nebraska taxpayers.

Nebraska’s LB34 property tax caps are far weaker than Iowa’s reforms. Here’s why Iowa’s system creates stronger limits on property tax growth.

06/03/2026

Check out the latest episode of Nebraskanomics featuring Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation President Chris Ingstad. During the discussion, Chris and Platte CEO Jim Vokal break down Iowa’s new 2% hard cap on property taxes, why it matters for taxpayers, and what Nebraska can learn as states across the Midwest compete for growth and investment.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.

Listen to Nebraskanomics featuring Chris Ingstad on Iowa’s new 2% property tax cap, income tax reform, and Midwest competitiveness.

05/27/2026

Check out the latest episode of Nebraskanomics featuring Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers.

During the discussion, Attorney General Hilgers joins Platte CEO Jim Vokal to talk about the importance of good energy policy in Nebraska, how we attract new residents and investment, and the major issues that will shape the future of our state.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.

Attorney General Mike Hilgers joins Nebraskanomics to discuss energy policy, economic growth, attracting investment, and Nebraska’s future.

05/19/2026

ICYMI: Check out the latest op-ed from Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal in the Omaha World-Herald on Nebraska’s next phase of tax reform.

This year’s reforms helped place new guardrails on the unchecked growth of property taxes through stronger Truth in Taxation and new limits on collection growth. But as Jim writes, slowing growth is only the beginning.

The next challenge is delivering meaningful long-term property tax relief while keeping Nebraska competitive for families, workers, and investment.

Read the full op-ed below.

Nebraskans are tired of watching their property tax bills climb year after year while neighboring states aggressively compete for families, workers, businesses, and investment.

05/18/2026

Check out our latest blog exploring what Omaha can learn from Des Moines’ rapid economic growth and rising ability to attract young talent, businesses, and investment.

As Nebraska continues to grapple with “brain drain” and long-term competitiveness, this comparison highlights why growth, adaptability, and economic momentum matter for the future of our state.

Read the full blog here:

What can Omaha learn from Des Moines’ rapid growth? A new analysis explores talent retention, economic momentum, and Midwest competitiveness.

05/17/2026

Check out the latest op-ed from Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal in the Omaha World-Herald on Nebraska’s next phase of tax reform.

This year, Nebraska took meaningful steps to slow the unchecked growth of property taxes through reforms like stronger Truth in Taxation and new limits on property tax collection growth. But slowing growth is only the beginning.

The next conversation should focus on how Nebraska can actually lower property taxes while maintaining a competitive tax environment that attracts families, workers, and investment.

Read the full piece here:

Nebraskans are tired of watching their property tax bills climb year after year while neighboring states aggressively compete for families, workers, businesses, and investment.

05/12/2026

Check out our latest blog on Omaha’s “Censored Shop” lawsuit and what it tells us about occupational licensing boards in Nebraska.

This story highlights why Platte has long supported occupational licensing reforms focused on reducing overreach and protecting economic opportunity.

Read the full blog here:

Omaha’s “Censored Shop” dispute shows how Nebraska licensing boards can overreach, restrict speech, and burden small businesses.

04/30/2026

Nebraska has made important progress on income tax reform in recent years, but long-term tax reform requires more than rate cuts alone.

In a new blog, Platte Senior Tax Advisor Jared Walczak explains how sales tax modernization could help Nebraska preserve income tax reform while creating a more competitive environment for growth, jobs, investment, and new residents.

As neighboring states continue pursuing aggressive tax reforms, Nebraska cannot afford to stand still.

Read more:

How sales tax modernization could help Nebraska preserve income tax relief and stay competitive for growth, jobs, and investment.

04/29/2026

Nebraska just hit its highest-ever ranking in the Rich States, Poor States report, but there's still plenty of room to grow. What drove the improvement, and what reforms could move the state even higher?

Check out the latest episode of Nebraskanomics featuring Jonathan Williams, President and Chief Economist at American Legislative Exchange Council and co-author of Rich States, Poor States. Jonathan joins Platte CEO Jim Vokal to break down Nebraska’s latest ranking, what top-performing states are doing differently, and where Nebraska can improve moving forward.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Jonathan Williams joins Nebraskanomics to discuss the latest economic rankings in Rich States, Poor States and how the state can improve.

04/08/2026

Check out the latest episode of Nebraskanomics where Jim Vokal sits down with William Beard, co-author of a new Goldwater Institute report on data centers.

We break down what data centers are, why they matter, and what separates the states attracting investment from those getting left behind.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Listen to Nebraskanomics as William Beard joins Jim Vokal to discuss data centers, why they matter, and how states compete for investment.

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Omaha, NE
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(402) 452-3737

Website

http://platteinstitute.org/

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