Lincoln Business Beat

Lancaster County Commissioner Matt Schulte joins Jim Ballard and Mark Vail to discuss several items: Data Centers and Moratorium Proposal, County Budget-Taxes and Spending, Infrastructure and more.

Nebraska's Property Tax Request Act, informally named 'The Pink Postcard Law' requires taxing entities to hold a public hearing if its 'ask' is above an Allowable Growth Rate + Real Growth Percentage. Lincoln and Mark take a deep dive on the joint hearing September 17th which will include presentations by the City of Lincoln, Lincoln Public Schools, Norris Public Schools and Waverly Public Schools.

Rich Otto, Executive Director of the Nebraska Retail Federation, goes in-depth with Jim Ballard and Mark Vail on the Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Competition Act of 2026.

Budgets are discussed by Lincoln and Mark on the rhetoric and the transparency (or lack of) during the process by Lancaster County. Also, the latest on the Good Government Lincoln petition signature investigation.

Since 2004, Pastor Tom Barber has served Lincoln's People's City Mission as CEO. During his tenure, the Mission has expanded its services to the community. In this edition of the Lincoln Business Beat, Pr Barber discusses with Jim Ballard and Mark Vail how he runs the non-profit more like a business and how the results tell an amazing story.

When the low bidder doesn't get the job and City of Lincoln Finances - Budgeting, Surpluses, Public Accountability and Transparency

Anthony 'Tony' Goins joins Jim Ballard and Mark Vail for a discussion on building and running a business in Lincoln. Tony has a long track record in corporate business, banking, cyber security and private lounges. He is an entrepreneur, author, mentor and public speaker and the discussion covers a wide variety of these topics.

Guest Cody Schmick, entrepreneur, owner of Kincaider Brewing and Sideshow Spirits joins Jim Ballard and Mark Vail to discuss his entrepreneurial journey. In addition to talking about his businesses there's also discussion on work force development, workforce retention, business climates and more.

Lincoln and Mark talk about 3 City Charter Commission Petitions; Election Cycle Change, City Council Term Limits and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Voting. A review of voter turnout from past elections a review of several other cities that have adopted City Election Cycles that match Federal and State Election schedules

Jim Ballard and Mark Vail discuss a variety of topics from NE AG's lawsuit against the City of Lincoln over its minimum wage ordinance to property taxes and more.

Issues discussed on this edition of the Lincoln Business Beat: City/County Land Swap, Lincoln Mayor's Proposed Budget, City Charter Amendment Petitions and more.

Constantine Syniy, owner of All Pro Heating and Air Conditioning and the Nebraska Christmas Lights show talks about immigrating to the US from Ukraine in 2021, working then starting his own business and then, to give to the community, established the Nebraska Christmas Lights show.

Lincoln went looking for more details and understanding about the origin of City budget surpluses. Lincoln and Mark discuss what was found.

Larry Middendorf, Area Director and Steve Hawkins, Associate Area Director of the Christian Business Men Connection organization, join Jim Ballard and Mark Vail for a discussion about what CBMC is and does in the community.

Dan Kline, Jr. is our guest on this edition of the Lincoln Business Beat. Lincoln, Mark and Dan talk about Assisted Living Facilities and Memory Care. Dan is with Waterford Assisted Living and Memory Care

Contradicting Outlooks with Counterintuitive Indicators. Some data looks good (stock markets up), and some data doesn't look good (bankruptcies and/or small-business stress). Lincoln and Mark discuss it on this edition of the Lincoln Business Beat

Lynne McNally CEO and Lori Thomas COO with Nebraska Horsemen join host Jim Ballard and Mark Vail for an in-depth discussion about WarHorse Casino's status, the amount of economic activity generated, tax receipts and more. Also, an update on two ballot initiatives for on-line gambling or more.

Lincoln and Mark discuss the 2026 LIBA Celebration of Free Enterprise and then transition to the economic realities facing business and government.

Host Jim Ballard along with Mark Vail welcome Nebraska State Senators Carolyn Bosn and Beau Ballard for a discussion on the 109th Session of the Nebraska Legislature - 2nd Session -

Host Jim Ballard welcomes John Rood with Nebraska Digital to this edition of the Lincoln Business Beat. Founded in 2002, Nebraska Digital helps small business with web development, mobile sites, marketing and social media.

Host Jim Ballard in this week. Jim & Mark welcome Adam Kroft with Red Thread - redthreadads.com - The discussion ranges from marketing to AI in business, AI in small business and other fun topics.

The Hidden Truth About the Power (Consumption) of AI

Workforce Development is talked about frequently. Guest Dawn Buell with NATS Detasseling discusses her work to employ young men and women in a worthwhile effort. And Rowan Handley, a detassler for several years shares his experiences and insight in this edition of the Lincoln Business Beat.

Kent Rogert, lobbyist wiith Jensen-Rogert Associates joins guest host Jim Ballard and Mark to discuss the 2026 Legislature. Rogert, a former Senator, has been a lobbyist for 20-years and brings insight into this year's session.

Daine Patton, Founder and CEO of Bats to Rats Wildlife Control and Prevention, is the special guest on this edition of Lincoln Business Beat. Daine is a speaker and co-author of the "Stand on the Shoulders of Giants" series. He was recognized with the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics.

Guest Host Jim Ballard, James Arthur Vineyards and KLIN's Mark Vail welcome Lancaster County Engineer Pam Dingman to this edition of the Lincoln Business Beat. Pam outlines what goes into planning any project, explains her crew and the myriad of duties and the DEEP DIVE details how long a Lincoln Loup road system has been considered (i.e., East Beltway)

In business, mental health is a Leadership Responsibility. This discussion follows the February LIBA Luncheon presentation by Dr. Michael Judson, Clinical Psychologist and the Director of Behavioral Health Services at Bluestem Health.

Guest Host Jim Ballard and Mark welcome Annie Hopping, CPA, with BMG Certified Public Accountants to this edition of LBB. Discussion on taxes, business start-ups, business acquisitions, selling a business and how the Governor's Pro-Business Approach is Powering Nebraska's Economy.

Jim Ballard joins Lincoln and Mark in a discussion about LB258, Record Layoffs in January, Credit Tightening and Insurance Costs

Discussion on some legislative proposals: LB 1156, LB 1196, LB 1182, LR 317CA, LR 312CA

Topics on this Edition include Credit Card Rule Changes, Income Tax filing and The Unicameral So Far

Honoring Lincoln's History with Design Standards pre-approved by the City; Discussion with Brayden McLaughlin, Owner/Designer of Bridgewater Consulting

LIBA Membership Benefits ** Free Enterprise Celebration ** Upcoming LIBA Events ** DEEP DIVE: A Five-Year Property Tax Retrospective - Lies and Statistics

Two downtown Lincoln projects are discussed on this edition of Lincoln Business Beat; the first segment of Project O Street bids and funding and the Downtown Library

A discussion on property taxes with Jim Ballard, Owner/Operator of James Arthur Vineyards and From Nebraska Gift Shop.

Challenges Independent Businesses Have in the Current Business Climate. Special Guest is Jim Ballard, James Arthur Vineyards / From Nebraska Gift Shot

The Great, the Good, the Not-So-Good, The Bad and the Downright Ugly - a diverse discussion on a variety of topics

Hacking, Ransomware Attack, Phishing, Spyware, Network Intrusion, Data Theft-Breach. Jeff Kiple, owner/founder of Kelpie Security, LLC discusses with Lincoln and Mark what businesses and organizations face in a connected world and how to help protect vital business records and more.

Domestic Violence resources are discussed on this edition of the Lincoln Business Beat. Dani Jurgens, Development Director at Friendship Home talks with Lincoln and Mark about the services available at Friendship Home, types of domestic violence and more.

Lincoln and Mark welcome Chad Haufschild and Dorothy Booraem, Owners/Producers of Third Rail Content. Third Rail Content works with clients to make their marketing videos personal and unique to their brand. No cookie-cutter templates!

On this edition of LBB, Sarah Linden, CEO of Generation V and Grateful Green discusses the vaping industry and why she decided to leave a Fortune 500 company and start her own businesses.

ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning. It's Not the Platform - it's the Process

J. Scott Nelson is the guest on this edition of the Lincoln Business Beat. Scott is personally mentoring dozens of young men - the workforce of the future - meeting over lunch or coffee and creating small groups in an effort to challenge other men to step up. Scott is the author of "Brotherhood Of Men"

Sherri Tafoya, Custom Blinds & Design, joins Lincoln Business Beat for a discussion about how she has handled the challenges of starting and sustaining a business for 25-years

Lynn McNally, CEO of Nebraska Horsemen and Dir of Gov't Relations for WarHorse Casino is a guest on this edition of LBB. A DEEP DIVE into the WarHorse Casino development and the effort to get an On-line Gambling Constitutional Amendment on the 2026 Nebraska Ballot

Unlocking Growth - Debunking the Myth of SID No. 7

DEEP DIVE: Lancaster County Commissioners Approved a Solar Project earlier this year. On this edition of LBB, a look at the process and the contributions to Commissioners election/re-election campaigns

A DOUBLE DEEP DIVE: Lincoln City Budget Discussion with guest Wanda Caffrey

City of Lincoln Biennium Budget Adjustments

State Revenue Projections ** Turn-Back Tax Requests ** DEEP DIVE: Funding the Downtown City Library