Today is Giving Tuesday, the global day of generosity. We hope you will show your support for transparent, wise, and sustainable tax policy through a gift to OpenSky Policy Institute today or before the end of the year. Give here: bit.ly/OpenSkyGivin...

Our annual giving campaign is officially underway! Will you join us by scheduling a monthly donation? Every dollar helps us provide research and analysis that helps make the Good Life accessible for all Nebraskans. ow.ly/WX5q50Xy8sO

New interactive map from @CenterOnBudget showing out-of-pocket premium increases in every congressional district due to premium tax credit enhancements expiring. Explore it here: www.cbpp.org/research/hea...

The Trump administration’s announcement that it will comply with the Court’s order and begin using contingency funds to partially pay November SNAP benefits as the government shutdown continues is an important step, but comes many days late and billions of dollars short.

Have you been wondering what is happening with the federal government shutdown, and how it might affect Nebraskans? We have you covered. Here's 4 things you should know about the federal government shutdown: ow.ly/4UMc50X8C7G

Class is in session! Join OpenSky and expert co-hosts in a discussion about current school finance challenges in Nebraska, how recent federal legislation may impact education funding, and the newly-formed education finance commission. Sign up now! ow.ly/Gkas50WG9FQ

Join us September 25 to explore how Nebraska's budget might look different if we built it around a common vision where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. More info and early bird tickets on sale now! bit.ly/47bzgFV

When SNAP is strong, families have groceries, retailers have steady business, and farmers have a market for the food they grow. Cuts to SNAP don’t just hurt people who receive benefits. Cuts weaken local economies and break systems that work. #SNAPmatters

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the reconciliation bill signed on July 4 will increase the federal deficit by $3.4 trillion. Yes. With a T. If you're having a difficult time wrapping your head around a sum that large, you're not alone.

As school districts craft their budgets, they are scrambling to get information on whether critical federal funds for student and teacher support will be late, if they come at all. Read more here: ow.ly/8pxN50Won08

"Eight states—AL, AZ, FL, GA, ID, IN, NE and NC—saw their real per-pupil education expenditures decline even while their per capita GDP went up. These eight states had the capacity to expand educational opportunities for their state’s children but have gone in the opposite direction instead."

We appreciate everyone who called and emailed, communicating the stakes of the reconciliation bill passed by Congress. To say we are disappointed by the bill's passage is an understatement. 1/2

The Senate voted to advance the budget reconciliation bill today, which is likely to cut health insurance coverage for more than 150,000 Nebraskans, close at least 6 rural hospitals, and increase healthcare costs and premiums for all of us. 1/2

The Senate is debating its massive reconciliation bill today that would do serious harm to Nebraskans and the state budget. If it passes, up to 55,000 Nebraskans could lose Medicaid coverage, and over 100,000 would lose health insurance subsidies from the Affordable Care Act. 👇

16 million people would lose health coverage and become uninsured under the Republican health agenda, including 51,000 people in Nebraska. Policymakers should protect people’s health care, not cut it.

Senate Republican leaders have revised their plan to cut #SNAP. The details are slightly different, but the bottom line is the same: this would still take food assistance away from millions of low-income people, raise families’ grocery costs & risk some states ending SNAP altogether.

The House-passed budget bill would slash support for health coverage and food assistance while delivering $3.7 trillion in tax cuts tilted heavily toward the richest Americans, per @equitablegrowth.bsky.social's latest analysis: equitablegrowth.org/congressiona...

The House version of OBBBA includes provisions of the ECCA, introduced by Rep. Adrian Smith. It creates an almost three-fold greater incentive for giving to private school scholarship programs over other types of charitable giving. Learn more: itep.org/house-tax-bi... @itep.org

Parents of children over age 14 would be newly subject to #Medicaid work requirements under the Senate Finance Committee's bill that puts 9.8 million to 14.8 million people at risk of losing coverage in 2034: www.cbpp.org/research/hea...

A frequently overlooked part of OBBBA, the package currently under consideration in the Senate, removes tax credits for premiums paid for health insurance purchased through the state exchanges.

Today we told Congress: 41 percent of births are covered by Medicaid One in three families with kids under five are food insecure We asked Congress: Don’t cut what babies & families rely on. Add your voice: thinkbabies.org/budgetcuts

And that's a wrap on the first session of the 109th Legislature! We are adjourned, Sine Die. We will have a recap of these last 89 days for you very soon. Any burning questions you have for us? Drop them in the comments and we'll do our best to answer!

The House Tax Bill prioritizes the top 1% wealthiest individuals in NE, not our working families. Slashing programs like Medicaid and SNAP that offer a safety net to our low income neighbors to pay for some billionaire's third vacation home isn't Nebraska Nice.

VETO SNAFU ENDS: Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday withdrew his intended $14.5 million in line-item vetoes to Nebraska’s two-year budget, ending a possible constitutional dispute among the three branches of government. From Zach Wendling:

The Educational Choice for Children Act, introduced by NE's Adrian Smith, who represents dozens of rural school districts, would provide $10 billion annually in 100% tax credits for wealthy donors who contribute to private school vouchers. Read more here: www.americanprogress.org/article/how-...

Estimates by The Joint Committee on Taxation say the House GOP tax plan would add $3.7 trillion to the federal deficit. The highest earning 20% of households will benefit most, receiving $384.6 billion in tax cuts, while the lowest earning households would get just $3.6 billion.

Household budgets are tight. Cutting #Medicaid & #SNAP will put households already facing unaffordable rents at greater risk of losing their housing & undermine efforts to address #homelessness. We need to make housing & other essentials more affordable, not less! cbpp.org/blog/cuts-to...

Thank you so much for your continued support! 💙

Policy Analyst Trevor Toteve and Federal Relations Lead Ann Hunter-Pirtle joined fellow food security advocates on Capitol Hill, emphasizing the critical nature of #SNAP for Nebraskans. We are grateful to Rep. Don Bacon and Senator Deb Fischer for meeting with us on this important topic.

Debate on the biennial budget begins tomorrow. We'll have analysis for you thoughout the process, but in the mean time, Josh Reyes of the Omaha World Herald provides this breakdown of several pieces under consideration. omaha.com/news/state-r...

The NE Department of Revenue projects Nebraska will collect $190 million less for FY 2025 than the previous NEFAB forecast. #NELEG Read more about today's meeting of the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board here: www.openskypolicy.org/nebraska-eco...

Join OpenSky for a discussion with a team of experts on how we pay for healthcare in rural Nebraska, the role that Medicaid plays in that funding, and the impact of these investments. Sign up here: ow.ly/Pjw950VHhTq

This morning, the #neleg voted down an unfriendly amendment, AM 1131, to LB 192. AM 1131 would prohibit certain waivers for work requirements for participants in SNAP, a critical food security program in Nebraska. Read more here: ow.ly/zJjY50VGr3X

April is Financial Literacy Month! At the core of OpenSky's mission is providing facts and analysis on tax and budget policy so that Nebraskans can use that information to plan for their own personal financial future. Ready for a pop quiz? Comment your answer below!

Thank you to everyone who joined your favorite bean counters on Tax Day for an energizing coffee drink from our friends at Harbor Coffee! We appreciate the hard work of Senators and legislative staffers working to build a Nebraska where everyone can thrive.

As we analyze the Trump administration's scramble to fund a permanent adoption of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act by gutting Medicaid and SNAP and enacting aggressive tariffs, it's key to remember that 40% of corporate tax cuts benefit foreign investors. @itep.org

While storks are known for delivering babies, sandhill cranes deliver more than $14 million in economic impact to central Nebraska during their annual migratory stopover. Learn more here: ow.ly/f68k50VuJwI

Extending the budget-busting 2017 tax scam giveaway to the rich could have long-lasting negative consequences to our country's fiscal health 👇 #TaxFairnessNOW

We've been checking out the data, and we're coming around to the idea of an EPIC Consumption Tax. Sustainable revenue sources that fund our government are overrated... April Fools! Love, Your Friends at OpenSLY P.S. Really, this was a joke. Read more: ow.ly/7zLO50VrS5V

"Pillen’s budget proposes dozens of cuts to government services and smaller cash funds — a trend that has continued from the last budget Pillen oversaw as governor. Critics have long accused Pillen of concealing government spending under the veil of these transfers." omaha.com/news/state-r...

Wave that checkered flag, Nebraska! Hearings conclude this afternoon, an important landmark in the legislative session. All day debate is next! Follow along with the legislative calendar and let your senator know your thoughts! Find it all here: nebraskalegislature.gov

Don Bacon, in telephone town hall, talks DOGE; vows to protect Social Security and Medicare

Medicaid serves as a lifeline for thousands of Nebraskans. It is critically important that we know the stakes and engage with our federal delegation to ensure they know the importance of maintaining adequate federal funding for #Medicaid. Visit openskypolicy.org/medicaid for more.

We're joining @fracposts.bsky.social and 100s of other orgs for a Day of Action for SNAP and School Meals. Join us at noon for a webinar to get up to speed & learn how you can join the fight for food security. Register here: ow.ly/MNZt50VjXEq

Is Nebraska going bankrupt? You may have seen a viral TikTok video making this claim. Dr. Rebecca Firestone joined KETV to discuss the reality of the state's current financial situation. OpenSky's social media channels are always here for you with factual info.😀 www.ketv.com/article/tikt...

At least a dozen Nebraska hospitals would "very likely" be at risk of closure if Congress moves forward with potential cuts to Medicaid that House Republicans have floated.

The Admin targeted the Dept of Ed’s Ofc of Civil Rights for large layoffs. The ofc enforces laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, nationality & disability status. As a parent & wonk I know the importance of its work for disabled students. 🧵

🚨 First timer alert! 🚨 Our brand new policy analyst, Trevor Toteve was in the hot seat in Health & Human Services this afternoon, speaking on the numerous benefits of Express Lane Eligibility for Medicaid enrollment. (LB 283) #neleg

The USDA announced the elimination of the Local Food for Schools Program, which connects small local ag producers with schools to provide fresh, locally-grown food for school meals. Check out some NE stats below and sign up for emails for more: ow.ly/OqYP50VgNgM

OpenSky Research Director, Craig Beck, is in the Appropriations Committee this afternoon sharing the importance of maintaining a healthy cash reserve amid uncertain fiscal conditions. #neleg