By Erin Bamer | Reporter
“You are right — lots of mechanics involved in collecting and remitting taxes — so hard to pin any blame without knowing more … That said, no matter the mechanism, the city is getting (at least some?) amount of $$ to which it is not legally entitled.” - Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, in response to allegations that the city of Lincoln is improperly taxing non-city residents.
Nebraska Tax Commissioner Jim Kamm, who leads the Nebraska Department of Revenue, at an inaugural public roundtable of Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s cabinet. April 20, 2026. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
LABOR & GROWTH
By Zach Wendling
LINCOLN — The Nebraska Department of Revenue has confirmed it is the entity responsible for administering state and local sales taxes under state law as a state senator alleges wrongdoing by Lincoln city officials.
The state agency made the clarification Thursday in response to questions from the Nebraska Examiner. Local taxes are determined by some municipalities and a couple of counties, up to 2 cents per dollar. State sales taxes are set by the Legislature, currently at a 5.5-cent rate.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold, president of the University of Nebraska system, gives his first “State of the University” address in the Nebraska State Capitol. Sept. 4, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
HEALTH
By Zach Wendling
OMAHA — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents this week will consider extending NU President Jeff Gold’s contract by three years, to mid-2032, and increasing the $2.19 billion budget for NU’s “Project Health” by 25%.
State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst, left, and State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil. Jan. 9, 2026. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Erin Bamer
LINCOLN — A legislative staffer filed a complaint against the Nebraska Legislature, accusing lawmakers of violating their workplace harassment policy in their response to an alleged groping incident last year.
The White House pictured on June 11, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
D.C. BUREAU
By Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — A federal judge will rule in the coming days on whether the Trump administration can legally rescind White House press passes for journalists at three news organizations, or if those reporters will be able to continue accessing the grounds while the case continues.
The love dance of the greater prairie chicken is a tourist magnet and relies on grassland habitat. A multimillion-dollar initiative is starting to help save Nebraska prairies. (Courtesy of Brady J. Karg)
ICYMI
By Cindy Gonzalez
LINCOLN — A nearly $19 million financial boost is coming to help rescue Nebraska grasslands.
“Unprecedented” is how the state grant coordinator, Laura Rubeck, described the investment by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to help Nebraska landowners implement conservation practices that maintain productive and tree-free grasslands.
President Donald Trump speaks at Wheeler High School near Marietta, Georgia, on July 22, 2026. Trump spoke about Trump accounts for children and railed against his political opponents. (Photo by Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
D.C. BUREAU
By Ashley Murray
WASHINGTON — Every child in the United States with a valid Social Security number is now enrolled in a tax-advantaged investment account, titled a “Trump Account,” President Donald Trump announced Wednesday.
Parents must claim the accounts by downloading a Trump Account mobile app. Children born from 2025 through 2028 will automatically receive a one-time deposit of $1,000 from the U.S. government, once parents or guardians officially claim it.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
COMMENTARY
Nebraska voters should ask better questions | Jesse E. Stanley
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Trump asks Nebraska to ‘pretend’ he’s on the midterm ballot | Juan Salinas II
The Great Plains face a surprising threat: Too many trees | Bekah Stolhandske McNeel
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