Platte Institute for Economic Research Inc
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The economic policies we enact here in Nebraska have real consequences for our daily lives. Nebraska is losing people, income, and investment to other states because of our high tax rates. Job creation has fallen below the national average over the past decade. And our farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs face levels of red tape regulation often unheard of across state lines. In short, these big-government policies create barriers - rather than ladders - to growth and opportunity, putting the Good Life out of reach for too many Nebraskans. If we want to advance prosperity and opportunity in our state, we need to remove these barriers and instead implement policies which limit government, promote free enterprise, and encourage and reward personal initiative.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Regulatory Reform
Red tape is harming the Good Life. The Platte Institute empowers Nebraskans to identify and combat excessive regulations, reduces the barriers to entry for entrepreneurs, and provides a needed check on government overreach. Our work in the area of job licensing reform has received international recognition for its impact on reducing and eliminating requirements that serve as barriers to employment.
Tax Reform
Taxes are inevitable in our society, but not all tax policies are created equal. The Platte Institute advocates for tax reforms that collect the state and local revenue needed for the current core functions of government in the least burdensome way, and without picking winners and losers. By advocating for reforms to Nebraska's property taxes, as well as personal and corporate income taxes--to name a few--the Platte Institute seeks to advance policies that respect taxpayers and encourage growth.
Government Transparency
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.
Where we work
External reviews

Videos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
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.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
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.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Paper surveys, Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Community meetings/Town halls,
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals,
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With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners,
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive,
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection,
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Platte Institute for Economic Research Inc
Board of directorsas of 09/21/2021
Owen Palm
21st Century Holdings
Jon Abegglen
First National Bank
Sid Dinsdale
Pinnacle Bancorp, Inc.
Bob Dudley
APPEARA
Pat Keenan
Keenan Management, LLC
Owen Palm
21st Century Equipment, LLC
Blake Hoogeveen
MindSet
Jim Jenkins
Wild West, Inc.
Lori Scott
Jo Ellen Stock
Union Pacific
Gail Werner-Robertson
GWR Wealth Management, LLC
Joseph Young
Sampson Construction
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
No data
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
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Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data