Platte Institute for Economic Research

Platte Institute for Economic Research
Founder(s) Pete Ricketts
Established September 2007[1]
CEO Jim Vokal
Budget Revenue: $724,397
Expenses: $720,451
(FYE December 2015)[2]
Coordinates 41°15′00″N 96°01′41″W / 41.2500°N 96.0281°W / 41.2500; -96.0281Coordinates: 41°15′00″N 96°01′41″W / 41.2500°N 96.0281°W / 41.2500; -96.0281
Address 900 S. 74th Plaza, S-400
Omaha, NE 68114
Website www.platteinstitute.org

The Platte Institute for Economic Research is a free market think tank headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.[3][4] According to the organization, it is "dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Nebraska by advancing sensible, well-researched solutions to state and local economic policy issues."[5] The Institute's research areas include tax and economic policy, education policy, and healthcare policy.

Overview

Pete Ricketts, founder of Platte Institute.

The organization was established in 2007 by Pete Ricketts, who was later elected governor of Nebraska.[6] As of 2016, its CEO was Jim Vokal.[7]

Issues

Taxes

In 2008, it released a study in partnership with Creighton University that showed Nebraska was the 8th most taxed state in the United States, a fact detrimental to its economy.[8][9]

Health care

In 2009, it commissioned a study about the cost of health care by Arduin, Laffer & Moore Econometrics.[10]

County government

Also in 2009, the organization released a policy study which recommended reducing the number of Nebraska's counties, which stands at 93, as an administrative cost-saving measure.[11]

Education

In 2010, it commissioned a report on charter schools in Nebraska by the Pacific Research Institute (PRI).[12] In 2011, it commissioned another report by the PRI to promote virtual schools in Nebraska.[13]

Government spending

In 2011, the organization argued that proposed changes to the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations would not substantially reduce government spending.[14]

References

  1. Wetzel, Diane (February 11, 2008). "Former Guardsman is now leader of think tank". North Platte Telegraph. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  2. "Quickview data". GuideStar. See also "Charity Rating". Charity Navigator.
  3. "Study: Omaha Minority Students Do Better In Catholic School". WOWT NBC. May 7, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  4. Walton, Don (February 10, 2015). "ACLU allies with Platte Institute on prison reform". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  5. "About Us". Platte Institute. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  6. Hammel, Paul (October 3, 2013). "Platte Institute: Overhauled Nebraska tax system could drive more jobs". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  7. James, Karla (June 3, 2015). "Platte Institute's review of the legislative session". Nebraska Radio Network. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  8. "Nebraska Tax Burden Up And Away". WOWT NBC. April 21, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  9. "Finally, a comparability study for taxpayers". McCook Gazette. March 25, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  10. Coddington, Mark (August 18, 2009). "Platte Institute study says health care decisions, costs should move to customers". Grand Island Independent. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  11. El Nasser, Haya (December 2, 2009). "County consolidation gains steam across USA". USA Today. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  12. Dejka, Joe (January 13, 2010). "Report calls for charter schools". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  13. Dejka, Joe (June 22, 2011). "Virtual school plan praised". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  14. Schulte, Grant (April 12, 2011). "Nebraska labor commission proposal draws fire". Bloomberg Business. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
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