Bridging Research and Legislation
The Nebraska Institute of Great Plains maintains a Policy Analysis Division specifically tasked with translating complex research findings into formats usable by policymakers. This team, comprised of experts in law, economics, and public administration, produces concise briefs, testimony, and fiscal notes that clearly outline the evidence, options, and potential consequences of proposed legislation. Institute staff are regularly called to testify before committees of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature, the U.S. House and Senate Agriculture Committees, and other relevant bodies. Their reputation for rigorous, impartial analysis makes them trusted advisors on both sides of the aisle. For example, when the state considered major reforms to its property tax system for agricultural land, it was Institute economists who provided the definitive modeling on the equity and economic impacts of various proposals, heavily influencing the final compromise legislation.
Informing Federal Farm and Water Policy
At the federal level, the Institute's influence is most pronounced in the realms of agricultural and water policy. In the lead-up to each Farm Bill reauthorization, Institute researchers publish comprehensive assessments of how previous bill provisions performed in the Great Plains context and propose evidence-based recommendations for the next cycle. Their work on conservation programs, crop insurance, and rural development grants is particularly influential. Similarly, their hydrologic research directly informs federal regulations and management plans for interstate river compacts (like the Republican River Compact) and policies administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Army Corps of Engineers. The Institute often convenes 'policy dialogues' that bring together federal agency staff, congressional aides, and stakeholders to workshop solutions to entrenched problems, such as conflict between endangered species protection and water use for irrigation.
Building Capacity for Local Governance
Beyond state and federal capitals, the Institute plays a crucial role in building policy capacity at the local level. It offers a 'Certificate in Public Policy for Local Officials' for county commissioners, city council members, and natural resource district board members, teaching them how to interpret data, evaluate policy options, and engage in strategic planning. The Institute's extension agents frequently help counties draft ordinances on issues like groundwater management, renewable energy siting, and nuisance complaints. By empowering local officials with knowledge and tools, the Institute helps ensure that policy implementation is effective and context-appropriate. In all these arenas, the Institute steadfastly maintains its non-partisan, evidence-based stance. It does not lobby for specific outcomes but strives to ensure that decisions affecting the future of the Great Plains—from the county courthouse to the halls of Congress—are made with the best possible information, leading to more resilient, equitable, and sustainable policies for rural America.