The mission of the Platte Institue is to advance policies that remove barriers to growth and opportunity in Nebraska. The Platte Institue accomplished its mission by developing in-depth and timely research on the economic issues facing our state, then getting it into the hands of those who need it. We envision a state where Nebraskans have the freedom and opportunity to achieve their Good Life, Nebraska's own version of the American Dream.

The Platte Institute furthers its mission to remove barriers to growth and opportunity in Nebraska by using the following strategy: We provide intellectual ammunition, producing high-quality research to support policy goals. We then build a durable network of public support by engaging Nebraskans on which policies deserve their support, how to advocate for change, and hold officials accountable a durable network of public support. Leveraging strategic partnerships, we then build issue-based coalitions with nonprofits, professional organizations, and community leaders to multiply the voices for policy change in Nebraska. We then educate policymakers, ensuring elected officials and candidates have access to the resources they need to make sound policy decisions.

Taxes are inevitable. But not all tax policies have the same impact on economic opportunity. The Platte Institute advocates for tax reforms that collect needed state and local revenue in the least burdensome way. By advocating for reforms to Nebraska's personal and corporate income taxes, the personal property tax, and the inheritance tax, the Platte Institute seeks to advance an environment that respects hardworking taxpayers and fosters entrepreneurship. Nebraskans need tools and resources to help them keep an eye on how policymakers manage their budgets. The Platte Institute evaluates the economic impact of fiscal policies and provides the latest information on state and local spending proposals to help taxpayers and citizens engage with their elected officials. Red tape is harming the Good Life. Even regulators at the Federal Trade Commission now say that Nebraska has too many unnecessary barriers to economic opportunity. The Platte Institute empowers Nebraskans to identify and combat unnecessary regulations, reduce the barriers to entry for entrepreneurs, and lower the costs associated with hiring and employing workers.

The Platte Institute is a strong and effective voice, providing facts and research to enable high-quality policy that helps free citizens to flourish. Recently, the Platte Insitute joined with hardworking Nebraskans including Brandy McMorris, Ilona Holland, and Luke French to champion occupational licensing reforms. With the leadership of Nebraska State Senators and the Governor, the Platte Institute provided research and personal insights from these professionals to help pass legislation reducing or eliminating burdensome job licensing requirements for natural hair braiders, motor vehicle salespeople, bank executive officers, nurses, title examiners, and school bus drivers. We also partnered with the Tax Foundation, the nation's leading independent tax research organization, to present a comprehensive tax reform plan for Nebraska. Our joint research became the subject of a series of tax relief town halls and panels in Bellevue, Grand Island, North Platte, Lincoln, and Wisner featuring Nebraska State Senators. These lawmakers went on to comprise the new tax reform majority in the 105th Nebraska Legislature's Revenue Committee, including Chairman Sen. Jim Smith, Sen. Lydia Brasch, Sen. Curt Friesen, Sen. Mike Groene, and Sen. Brett Lindstrom. Former Revenue member and Unicameral Speaker, Sen. Jim Scheer, also participated in the town halls. Furthermore, the Platte Institute championed transparency and sound fiscal policy in our support of Nebraska's federal funds inventory. With the help of partners from State Policy Network and the American Legislative Exchange Council, the Platte Institute won bipartisan support in the Legislature's Appropriations Committee for a proposal to require state agencies to publish publicly-accessible reports on the use of federal grants in Nebraska, including the details of the financial strings attached to participating in these federal programs. The federal funds inventory was even made a priority bill by the Appropriations Committee. The Platte Institute's research, media, events, and staff reach over 1 million readers, viewers, listeners, and community members across Nebraska each year and has played a key convening role for other groups in the state, encouraging conversation and cooperation to advance shared goals. The Platte Institute will continue to build on its success in the coming years.