NEBRASKA- A statewide economic-development initiative, launched by Nebraska business and higher education leaders, is calling for cuts in state individual income taxes and corporate income taxes among several steps to help boost the state’s population and economy.

Blueprint Nebraska, at a press conference Tuesday, projected that 66,000 new jobs and 73,000 additional residents would be added over a decade by cutting income taxes, increasing investment in research and development of businesses, and helping high-skilled and highly sought new employees pay off student loan debt.

Its plan would offset the income tax cuts by eliminating sales tax exemptions on several services. New taxes would be imposed on auto repairs, plumbing and roofing services, legal and accounting bills, as well as haircuts and tickets to sporting events and concerts.

“The Blueprint Nebraska plan will give communities in Greater Nebraska a distinct advantage for retaining and attracting workforce talent, by providing the region’s best balance of economic opportunity and quality of life,” said Owen Palm, co-chair of Blueprint Nebraska and CEO of 21st Century Holdings in Scottsbluff.

Ricketts, a conservative Republican, helped found Blueprint Nebraska as a way to boost the state’s economy and modernize its tax system. But he also has opposed “tax shifts” like the one proposed in the Blueprint plan — reducing income taxes while increasing sales taxes by expanding the number of things taxed.

Blueprint Nebraska was launched in 2018 by Hank Bounds, then the president of the University of Nebraska system, as well as Ricketts and state business leaders. Palm and Lance Fritz, CEO of Union Pacific Corp., are the co-chairs.

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