OpenSky Policy
@openskypolicy.bsky.social
OpenSky Policy Institute’s mission is to use research, strategic communications and coalition-building to advance evidence-based policies that improve economic opportunity for all Nebraskans.
Reposted by OpenSky Policy
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.
November 3, 2025 at 7:53 PM
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
October 8, 2025 at 9:50 PM
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
August 14, 2025 at 5:09 PM
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
August 4, 2025 at 5:27 PM
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
Reposted by OpenSky Policy
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
July 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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.
July 28, 2025 at 2:40 PM
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
July 11, 2025 at 3:13 PM
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
Reposted by OpenSky Policy
"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."
As states get richer, they should spend more money on education & public schools, right?
Unfortunately, most states aren't doing this. Southern states, in particular, are neglecting their students.
More info in @hilwething.bsky.social & @dskamper.bsky.social's new blog: www.epi.org/blog/state-e...
Unfortunately, most states aren't doing this. Southern states, in particular, are neglecting their students.
More info in @hilwething.bsky.social & @dskamper.bsky.social's new blog: www.epi.org/blog/state-e...
State education funding falls short in too many states, even as they prosper: Southern states, in particular, are neglecting students
State spending on public education declined markedly in the dozen years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decline in funding was a response to the Great Recession since many state governments prior...
www.epi.org
July 7, 2025 at 2:46 PM
"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
July 3, 2025 at 9:05 PM
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
July 1, 2025 at 10:27 PM
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. 👇
June 30, 2025 at 6:03 PM
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. 👇
Reposted by OpenSky Policy
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.
Policymakers should protect people’s health care, not cut it.
June 26, 2025 at 6:35 PM
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.
Policymakers should protect people’s health care, not cut it.
Reposted by OpenSky Policy
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.
June 25, 2025 at 8:03 PM
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.
Reposted by OpenSky Policy
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...
Congressional Republicans’ budget bill is the most regressive in at least 40 years
Jacob Hacker and Patrick Sullivan shine a light on the hidden regressive elements of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
equitablegrowth.org
June 25, 2025 at 8:09 PM
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
Learn more: itep.org/house-tax-bi... @itep.org
June 23, 2025 at 3:58 PM
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
Learn more: itep.org/house-tax-bi... @itep.org
Reposted by OpenSky Policy
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...
Senate Bill Expands Medicaid Work Requirements to Include Some Parents, Would Take Away Coverage From Millions: State and Congressional District Estimates | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
The Senate Finance Committee released a bill that would make the harsh Medicaid work requirements in the House bill even more damaging by extending them to parents of children over age 14.The Senate.....
www.cbpp.org
June 20, 2025 at 1:33 PM
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.
June 20, 2025 at 3:38 PM
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.
Reposted by OpenSky Policy
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
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
Tell Congress: Oppose Cuts that Harm Babies
Urge Congress to reject budget cuts to programs that support babies and families.
thinkbabies.org
June 4, 2025 at 5:15 PM
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
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!
a little girl is sitting on an orange slide with the words ok bye written on the bottom .
ALT: a little girl is sitting on an orange slide with the words ok bye written on the bottom .
media.tenor.com
June 2, 2025 at 7:53 PM
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.
June 2, 2025 at 2:20 PM
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.
Reposted by OpenSky Policy
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:
From Zach Wendling:
Pillen withdraws line-item budget vetoes Nebraska lawmakers said were unconstitutional • Nebraska Examiner
An agreement ended a possible constitutional dispute over intended line-item vetoes to Nebraska's next two-year budget.
buff.ly
May 27, 2025 at 9:25 PM
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:
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-...
www.americanprogress.org/article/how-...
How the School Choice Agenda Harms Rural Students
As proponents of private school voucher programs continue to push for expansion, it is important to highlight the harms these programs can have on rural communities.
www.americanprogress.org
May 21, 2025 at 4:39 PM
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-...
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.
May 19, 2025 at 5:09 PM
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.
Reposted by OpenSky Policy
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...
cbpp.org/blog/cuts-to...
May 16, 2025 at 3:49 PM
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...
cbpp.org/blog/cuts-to...
Thank you so much for your continued support! 💙
As a board member of @openskypolicy.bsky.social, I support our mission to provide nonpartisan, data-driven insights on Nebraska’s fiscal policy.
If you value smart policy and informed decision-making in #Nebraska, consider making a donation.
givetolincoln.com/nonprofits/o...
If you value smart policy and informed decision-making in #Nebraska, consider making a donation.
givetolincoln.com/nonprofits/o...
May 14, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Thank you so much for your continued support! 💙