OpenSky Policy

YouTube video by Dan Parsons Show NO TIME, LESS MONEY | Nebraska Legislature Week 2

Have 3 minutes? Get a quick update from Lillian Butler-Hale and Dan Parsons on what's going on in the Unicameral.

www.youtube.com/shorts/2wpnp...

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

Marketplace Enrollees Across the Country Face Steep Premium Increases Unless Tax Credit Enhancements Are Extended Annual premium increase, 60-year-old couple with income of $85,000 (401% FPL), by congressional district, 119th Congress Note: FPL = federal poverty level. Examples are based on 2026 average...

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

Thank you so much for joining us! We hope you found the day informative.

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."

Difficult budget decisions are on the horizon, and quality research and analysis will be more important than ever for good fiscal policymaking. Your voice will still be needed. OpenSky remains firm in our resolve to work for a Nebraska where everyone can thrive. 2/2

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 bill now heads back to the House for a final vote, which could happen as soon as tomorrow. Call Congressman Don Bacon today at (202) 225-4155 and urge him to VOTE NO on reconciliation. 2/2

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

Senator Deb Fischer (202) 224-6551
Senator Pete Ricketts (202) 224-4224

Changes to Medicaid funding could lead to a $517 million per year hole in the state budget.
Contact Senators Fischer and Ricketts and let them know you oppose this bill that will harm Nebraskans

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. 👇

51,000 people in Nebraska would lose health coverage and become uninsured under the Republican health agenda.

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.

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.

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...