State Budget & Taxes

Ensuring the state has the revenue for critical investments and to support its changing economy is vital to Nebraska’s future.

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The Latest from OpenSky

89 Days Later: OpenSky’s Observations on the 109th Legislature, 1st Session

The Nebraska Legislature concluded its work yesterday after 89 days of filibusters, floor flights and final reading. When we convened in January, we set the scene with 15 freshmen Senators and one returning veteran, a legislative body grappling with a significant budget shortage, a set of priorities from Governor Jim

OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (5/30/25)

$23.2 billion The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) estimates that a new provision incentivizing giving to private school scholarship programs would reduce federal tax revenue by $23.2 billion over the next ten years, or up to $67 billion if extensions are granted beyond the current 4-year authorization. The

OpenSkyLIGHTS: Focus on Nebraska fiscal policy (5/23/25)

OpenSky’s analysis of the budget reconciliation bill that passed in the House of Representatives is ongoing. The bill is lengthy and consequential, and we will analyze and share its impact on working Nebraskans in the days and weeks to come, especially as we track budget proceedings in the Senate. Stay

Punctuating the State Budget

OpenSky provided an outlook on budget debate last week, and between then and now, the Legislature sent an $11.1 billion behemoth to Governor Jim Pillen’s desk for approval or line-item vetoes. To frame up the process and what may happen next, consider a punctuation analogy. In theory, the Legislature is

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

Budget Debate Continues – Here’s What You Need to Know

As the legislature begins Select File debate on the package of bills that become the biennial budget, there remain a lot of hotly debated ideas and plenty of unknowns. When the Legislature began its work in January, they were facing a $432 million budget deficit, setting up an arduous process

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.

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State Budget & Taxes

State Budget & Taxes Ensuring the state has the revenue for critical investments and to support its changing economy is vital to Nebraska’s future. Key Resources State Budget Overview “Looking for Clarity,” updated in 2023, offers an unbiased look at Nebraska’s budget process, state spending, state revenue and tax expenditures.