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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.

06/17/2026

Check out the latest episode of Nebraskanomics featuring Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue.

Mark joins Platte Institute CEO Jim Vokal to discuss the importance of agriculture to Nebraska’s economy, the outlook for property tax reform, and what the future holds for the state’s largest industry.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.

Mark McHargue joins Nebraskanomics to discuss Nebraska agriculture, property tax reform, and the future of the state’s largest industry.

06/15/2026

Check out our latest blog exploring the debate over local minimum wage mandates in Nebraska and what they could mean for small businesses, entry-level workers, and rural communities.

Every wage policy comes with trade-offs, and good intentions do not change economic reality. As local officials continue this discussion, it’s important to consider the impacts on employers, workers, and communities across the entire state.

Read more:

Explore how Nebraska’s minimum wage debate, local control policies, and city wage mandates affect small businesses and rural communities.

06/10/2026

Check out our new short documentary, Second Chance: A New Path for Opportunity in Nebraska.

This film tells the story of two formerly incarcerated Nebraskans working to rebuild their lives after serving their sentences and highlights how Nebraska’s LB 16 occupational licensing reforms helped remove barriers to work and opportunity.

Good policy can have a real and lasting impact on people’s lives, and this documentary is an example of that impact in action.

Second Chance: A New Path for Opportunity in Nebraska, tells the st...

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.

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http://platteinstitute.org/

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