Blog

OpenSky regularly shares blog posts with information on policy and research impacting all Nebraskans.

Give to Lincoln Day

Give to Lincoln Day is May 29th! Mark your calendars and invest in the work of building a Nebraska where everyone can thrive.

OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (5/16/25)

14.4 Million The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) estimates that as many as 14.4 million Americans nationwide could lose coverage under Medicaid should work requirements be instituted. Nearly 2 in 3 adult Medicaid enrollees aged 19-64 already work, and most of the rest would potentially be exempted from

OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (5/9/25)

11 million Nearly 11 million people live in households that would be at risk of losing at least some food assistance under a proposal under consideration in Congress, according to analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). Introduced by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), it imposes harsher work

OpenSky Policy Institute Weekly Legislative Updates (5/6/25)

A lot to report this week as the legislature begins to debate the biennial budget and weigh the options ahead for filling a significant budget shortfall. We’ll get right into it! Four things to know about the budget as we move into debate 1. Low spending growth Projected General Fund

OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (5/2/25)

$396 million The Appropriations Committee released the final budget report earlier this week, setting the stage for the proposal that will be debated by the Legislature starting May 6. The shortfall the body needs to close increased to $396 million after less-than-rosy revenue projections by the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory

Omaha World Herald on April 29: “From taxing tattoos to ending incentives: 7 ways Nebraska might plug $396 million budget hole”

The Omaha World Herald’s Josh Reyes details several tax policies currently under consideration in the Nebraska Legislature. Read more here.

Nebraska Public Media on April 25: New economic forecast tightens state’s budget squeeze

Dr. Rebecca Firestone spoke with Fred Knapp of Nebraska Public Media about the importance of maintaining a robust cash reserve to safeguard the state in the event of economic downturn, and underscored the importance of sustainable budget decisions amid an additional $190 million budget shortfall. Click here to read more.

Nebraska Examiner on April 25: Nebraska’s budget deficit grows by $190 million with less than a month to close the gap

Several members of the OpenSky Policy Institute team attended the final meeting of the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board last week and offered comment to the Nebraska Examiner regarding the budget deficit. Click here to read more.

Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board – April 2025 Meeting Report

FY 25 – Total The NE Department of Revenue projects Nebraska will collect $190 million less for FY 2025 than the previous NEFAB forecast. FY 26 – Total The NE Department of Revenue projects Nebraska will collect $90 million less for FY 2026 than the previous NEFAB forecast. FY 27

OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (4/25/25)

In a few hours, the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Board will meet to adjust revenue projections, a critical step in constructing the biennium budget. Stay tuned for updates on our social media and website. 97.4 The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), a non-profit, nonpartisan group that advocates for small businesses,

OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (4/18/25)

$1.5 billion In a letter this week to state senators, Nebraska’s Auditor of Public Accounts, Mike Foley indicated that the state’s largest business incentive programs are on track to reduce General Fund revenues by $1.5 billion over the next four fiscal years. Foley’s letter highlights the pending fiscal obligations of

OpenSky Policy

OpenSky Policy Institute is committed to protecting your privacy when visiting our site.

What information do we collect?

When you use our site, we collect aggregate data – group data with no personal identifiers – which we use to help us understand how our site is being used and to enhance its quality.

OpenSky does not automatically collect personal information. In cases when such information is requested to provide a service or respond to an inquiry, visitors only need to provide the minimal information necessary. Typically personal information is required to register for events, to make online donations, to subscribe to our electronic updates or to allow us to respond to inquiries.

Our email list addresses are never sold or traded to outside organizations. If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving OpenSky emails, we include instructions at the bottom of each email.

Links to third-party sites

OpenSky’s site occasionally contains links to third-party sites which have separate and independent privacy policies. OpenSky encourages visitors to review the privacy policies of all externally-linked sites.

By using our site, you consent to our privacy policy.

OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (5/16/25)

14.4 Million The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) estimates that as many as 14.4 million Americans nationwide could lose coverage under Medicaid should work requirements be instituted. Nearly 2 in 3 adult Medicaid enrollees aged 19-64 already work, and most of the rest would potentially be exempted from