Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Hosts HUD Secretary Turner; Highlights Opportunity in Nebraska

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen hosted United States Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner in Nebraska to highlight ongoing efforts to make homes more affordable, boost development of workforce housing, and to create major community and economic revival in rural and urban communities across the state through the Opportunity Zones Initiative. 

 “Nebraska’s great potential and great collaboration – local, state, federal – was on full display during Secretary Turner’s visit,” said Gov. Pillen. “I’m really proud of our state, and I can’t thank the Secretary enough for visiting and taking the time to hear directly from the people of Nebraska. I believe if we keep working together, get the heavy hand of government out of the way, and create a framework of policies that allows Nebraskans to succeed, the potential of our state is endless.”

“Nebraska leaders are answering President Trump’s call to lower the cost of homeownership and drive meaningful community revitalization across the nation, and we are glad to partner with them in that effort,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner. The visits to Omaha and Fremont with Governor Pillen offered a firsthand look at the progress being made in Nebraska. I appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from state leaders and housing industry professionals about the challenges families face and how this Administration’s policies are making a difference for Nebraskans. HUD is committed to working alongside our state and local partners here to increase affordable housing options, encourage investment in underserved areas, and assist more Americans in reaching homeownership.”

Thursday’s visit began in downtown Omaha at Creighton University where Gov. Pillen and Sec. Turner hosted a Mortgage Affordability Roundtable with business leaders, community stakeholders, and policymakers to highlight efforts to make homes more affordable, cut bureaucratic red tape, and revitalize underdeveloped communities across our state and country. 

“I agree 100% with Secretary Turner: We have to put the American Dream of owning a home within reach for the next generation. HUD, under the Secretary’s leadership as part of President Trump’s Administration, is doing some amazing things to make housing more affordable, increase supply, and get government overregulation out of the way,” said Gov. Pillen.

Following the roundtable, Gov. Pillen and Sec. Turner were joined by Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. for a tour of the dynamic Highlander Accelerator neighborhood. The tour included stops at the Charles Drew Health Center, the Micro Market, the Community Greenhouse, and a tour of a housing unit in the area before conducting a joint press conference. 

 The final stop of the tour was in Fremont, where Gov. Pillen and Sec. Turner hosted an Opportunity Zones and Workforce Housing Listening Session with local leaders, business representatives, and workforce housing experts from Nebraska. 

“The root of HUD’s mission is to lift Americans into prosperity and opportunity,” said Gov. Pillen. “Through the Opportunity Zones initiative – which we highlighted in North Omaha and Fremont – the state of Nebraska is working with federal, public, and private partners to create investment in our communities, both rural and urban. It’s a mission we can all get behind.”

Mortgage Affordability Roundtable/Creighton University

Highlander Accelerator Tour

Opportunity Zones and Workforce Housing Listening Session

Opportunity Zones and Workforce Housing Listening Session

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Announces the Nebraska Pavilion at the Great American State Fair

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement highlighting Nebraska’s participation in the Freedom 250 “Great American State Fair” this summer in Washington, D.C., as part of the national celebration commemorating America’s 250th birthday.

“America’s turning 250 years old – and that deserves a gigantic celebration,” said Gov. Pillen. “The ‘Great American State Fair’ is a wonderful opportunity for Nebraskans and Americans to come together to experience what makes this the greatest country in the history of the world. Nebraska’s pavilion will highlight the people, industries, traditions, and stories that define our state — from agriculture and manufacturing to innovation, faith, family, and our deep-rooted patriotism. As we celebrate the first 250 years of our nation’s history, we also look forward to contributing to the next 250 years of American leadership, opportunity, and freedom.”

Nebraska’s pavilion will feature interactive exhibits, Nebraska-made products, agriculture, tourism highlights, and experiences designed to celebrate the people and values that make Nebraska unique. The pavilion will invite visitors to experience Nebraska’s leadership in agriculture, innovation, manufacturing, faith, family values, and community.

Nebraska is proud to take part in this historic national celebration honoring both the nation’s founding and the future generations who will carry the American story forward.

The Nebraska Pavilion will be supported by several Nebraska-based companies and organizations, which will be announced at a later date.

The Great American State Fair, hosted by Freedom 250, will take place June 25 through July 10, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The event will bring together all 50 states and U.S. territories for a nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary through exhibits, performances, educational programming, and cultural showcases.

Additional information regarding Nebraska’s pavilion, programming, partnerships, and media credentialing will be announced in the coming weeks.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Appoints Huxoll as District Court Judge in the Third Judicial District

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Jennifer A. Huxoll of Palmyra as district court judge in the Third Judicial District. The district consists of Lancaster County.

Huxoll has been with the Nebraska Attorney General’s office since 2006, first as an assistant attorney general and then civil litigation bureau chief. Prior to that she was an attorney with Anderson, Creager & Wittstruck, P.C., L.L.O.  and Bollerup & Huxoll, P.C. Early in her career, Huxoll was an attorney with Legal Services of Southeast Nebraska.

Huxoll has served on various committees through the Nebraska State Bar Association. She’s also been a volunteer and/or board member for the Palmyra Memorial Library, Friendship Home and the Food Bank of Lincoln and Food Bank of the Heartland.

Huxoll received her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She earned a juris doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law.

The vacancy is due to the retirement of Judge Jodi L. Nelson.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Highlights Takeaways from Latest General Fund Receipt Report

LINCOLN, NE – An increase in tax refunds this year means more money is going back into the pockets of Nebraska taxpayers, which represents great news. Meantime, the state will stay the course on keeping spending in check. Governor Jim Pillen is highlighting key takeaways from the most recent General Fund Receipt Report, published today by the Nebraska Department of Revenue.

While gross tax receipts are exceeding projections, tax refunds in April were 98% higher than predicted by the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board.

Cutting the state’s income tax rate in addition to tax cuts provided through the One Big Beautiful Bill have been a tremendous benefit to taxpayers. Sales and use tax receipts are also up again in April, reflecting better consumer spending and market activity than anticipated.

“Nebraskans are keeping more of their pay instead of giving it to government. That’s the objective we want to achieve for hard-working Nebraskans. At the same time, we need to relentlessly cut spending to ensure that the state is living within its means,” said Gov. Pillen.

Consistently passing the most conservative budgets in state history, Gov. Pillen intends to build on that momentum.

“The Legislature still has hard decisions to make. We must run government like a business so that we are reducing waste, focusing on work that truly matters and reinvesting in the people of Nebraska. That’s what taxpayers expect of us.”

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Governor Pillen Announces Appointments to Boards and Commissions

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced appointments made to boards and commissions from December 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026.

A list of current board and commission openings can be found on the Governor’s website (Nebraska Board and Commission Openings), along with instructions on completing an application.

Abstracters Board of Examiners

Robyn Dvoracek – St Paul

Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia Advisory Council

Jean Holt – Lincoln

Alexander DeGarmo – Greenwood

Big Blue River Compact Administration

Jason D Pohlmann – DeWitt

Board of Educational Lands and Funds

Jason Bryant – Lincoln

Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors

Jeremy F Feusner - Holdrege

Capitol Environs Commission

Ann Post -- Lincoln

Commission on Indian Affairs

William (Bill) Johnson, Jr – Elkhorn

Eugene DeCora – Winnebago

Rudi Mitchell – Omaha

Nancy M Kile – Crawford

Gabriel Bruguier – Lincoln

Kameron Runnels – Niobrara

Commission on Latino-Americans

Roy Rivera Barcenas – Lincoln

Sandra Lopez - Omaha

Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

Bill Maendele – Kearney

Sara Hoyle – Lincoln

Commission on Public Advocacy

Benjamin H Murray - Hebron

Conveyance Advisory Committee

Matthew Murphy – Omaha

Greg Anglim – Valley

Bret Abels - Papillion

Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education

Paul J Von Behren – Fremont

William Wilson – Plattsmouth

Early Childhood Interagency Coordinating Committee

Misty J Beair – Wayne

Foster Care Advisory Committee

Sheryl Blaha – Ord

Vicki Adams – Papillion

Andrea Phillips – Lincoln

Spencer Shute – Omaha

Midwestern Higher Education Compact

Dennis Headrick – Lincoln

Nebraska Aeronautics Commission

Edward Dunn – Grant

Nebraska Board of Geologists

Jeffrey S Seymour – Elkhorn

Nebraska Capitol Commission

Katherine Spohn – Friend

Nebraska Coalition for Juvenile Justice

Joel B Jay – North Platte

Melodie L Bellamy – Kearney

Nebraska Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Cheryl Livingston – Lincoln

Linda Mentink – Columbus

Nebraska Dairy Industry Development Board

Douglas Temme – Wayne

Kent Pulfer – Wayne

William Demerath – Plainview

Nebraska EPSCoR/IDeA Committee

George Burba – Lincoln

Bryan Kuntz – Kearney

Juliane Strauss-Soukup - Kearney

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Douglas Zingula – Crawford

Nebraska Invasive Species Council

Jonathan Spurgeon – Omaha

Nebraska Investment Finance Authority

Colten R Zamrzla - Lincoln

Benjamin Martens – Lincoln

Charlie Sullivan – Omaha

Nebraska Power Review Board

Kristen Gottschalk – Colon

David Liegl – Lincoln

Nebraska Propane Education and Research Council

David Rhoads – Comstock

Mark T O’Donnell – Yankton, SD

Douglas Hohbein – Lincoln

Paul Searle – Papillion

Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Board

Horacio J Wheelock – Omaha

Thomas Dargy – Papillion

Nebraska Real Property Appraiser Board

Lori Johnson – Lincoln

Nebraska Semiquincentennial Commission

Evelyn Haro – Lincoln

Beth Smith – Lincoln

Nebraska State Fair Board

Mark Hesser - Lincoln

Police Standards Advisory Council

Sherie Thomas – Omaha

Jason Stille – Lincoln

Greg London – Lincoln

Paul Graham – Aurora

Allen Bolzer – Lincoln

Rural Health Advisory Commission

Makayla Brockhaus – Creighton

ServeNebraska/Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission

Clarence King – Omaha

Anastazia Bauer Scheer – Arlington

Mikki Tighe – Omaha

State Highway Commission

James W Hawks – North Platte

Heath Mello – Omaha

Matthew Meister - Kearney

State Racing & Gaming Commission

Randall Conroy – Papillion

Dennis P Lee – Omaha

Antonio Gomez - Jackson

Tax Equalization and Review Commission

James D Kuhn – Grand Island

Technical Advisory Committee for Statewide Assessment

Sara Conahan - Omaha

Christy Hovanetz, PhD – National Expert (Florida)

Jeffrey Nellhaus – National Expert (Washington DC)

Veteran’s Advisory Commission

Daniel Stramel – McCook

Wheat Development, Utilization and Marketing Board

Mark Spurgin, Ogallala (correction)

Wyuka Cemetery Board of Trustees

Brad Brodersen - Lincoln

Aaron Sundberg - Roca