Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Three Nominees Forwarded for County Court Judge in the Seventh Judicial District

LINCOLN, NE – Today, the Judicial Nominating Commission for County Court Judge in the Seventh Judicial District advanced three names for consideration by Governor Jim Pillen: Patrick P. Carney, Norfolk; Chelsey R. Hartner, Madison; and Dennis W. Morland, Norfolk.

The Seventh Judicial District consists of Antelope, Cuming, Knox, Madison, Pierce, Stanton and Wayne counties. The vacancy is due to the appointment of Judge Michael L. Long to the district court.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Makes Appointments to Nebraska Liquor Control Commission

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced two appointments to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Robert “Bud” Synhorst of Lincoln has been selected to represent the 1st Congressional District.  James Elworth of Nebraska City will represent the 3rd Congressional District.

Synhorst is the owner of RobNik Strategies and the former president/CEO of the Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA). He was also executive director of the Alpaca Owners Association and has served on the Nebraska State Board of Health. Synhorst has a master’s degree in education administration from the University of Nebraska – Kearney (UNK).

Elworth is retired, having served as a former state assistant attorney and a county prosecutor in both Lancaster and Dodge counties.  He was also involved in investigating, interpreting and enforcing rule violations in athletics, including for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Elworth received both his undergraduate degree and his juris doctor from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL).

Three members serve on the Liquor Control Commission, each representing one of Nebraska’s congressional districts. Appointments are subject to confirmation by the Nebraska Legislature.

Newly appointed commissioners serve six-year terms. In this instance, Elworth and Synhorst are filling vacancies resulting from resignations in their respective districts. Elworth’s term will expire in May of 2027. Synhorst’s term will expire in May of 2029.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Comments on Baby Safely Surrendered Under Nebraska’s Expanded Safe Haven Law

LINCOLN, NE -- Governor Jim Pillen, a champion of pro-life issues, released the following statement after a baby in the northwest part of the state was surrendered under Nebraska’s expanded safe haven law. 

“We’ve got to do everything we can to protect babies, and we have to step up to help moms in need. We took action and expanded Nebraska’s safe haven law to help babies that are vulnerable and ensure their safety. It’s not just that Nebraskans are pro-life, we’re pro-baby — which means being here to help babies and moms who are in tough situations.”

In 2024, Gov. Pillen signed a law that extended the age a baby can be surrendered from 30 to 90 days, allowing the infant to be left with employees at a hospital licensed by the State of Nebraska, a staffed fire station, a staffed law enforcement agency, or an emergency care provider. 

Individuals are protected from prosecution for any crime based solely on the act of surrendering a baby under the law.

Earlier this year, an infant, the first under the expanded safe haven law, was surrendered in northeast Nebraska.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Signs First-In-Nation Digital Asset Bank Charter

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen, joined by Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance (NDBF) Director Kelly Lammers, issued a charter to Telcoin Digital Asset Bank to operate a digital asset depository institution in Nebraska. This new charter for a digital asset bank is the first of its kind in the United States.

“With this first-in-the-nation approach, Nebraska is leading a new era of digital payments by issuing a charter to a digital asset bank that can 'mint' stablecoins,” said Governor Jim Pillen. “Our message to the industry is simple: Nebraska is open for your business.”

“This special purpose bank is designed under Nebraska law to ensure the payment is always good,” said NDBF Director Kelly Lammers.  “The funds backing each stablecoin are predominantly U.S. government bonds or deposits in FDIC-insured Nebraska banks. We appreciate Governor Pillen’s support in pioneering a new type of bank for Nebraskans.”

“We’re very thankful to Governor Pillen, Congressman Flood, Director Lammers and his team for having the vision to see that this is about more than cryptocurrency. It’s about the technology of money, payments, and banking – financial technology innovation right here in Nebraska,” said Paul Neuner, founder and chief executive officer of Telcoin. “This charter is a milestone in the history of banking, but it also demonstrates that rural communities can play a part in emerging technologies – Norfolk, Nebraska can be at the center of the internet of money.”

For Nebraskans, stablecoins – a version of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a steady value – may soon be another payment option alongside checks, debit cards, and digital wallets. 

Telcoin’s Digital Asset Banks charter under the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act will allow them to operate a stablecoin and digital asset business within the regulated financial industries of Nebraska, bringing together financial innovation and banking.

By effectively and efficiently regulating chartered digital asset entities such as Telcoin Digital Asset Bank, the NDBF will help ensure that Nebraska remains at the forefront of financial innovation and supervise all chartered digital asset entities to ensure they operate in a safe and sound manner.

Nebraska has been a leader in developing a regulatory framework for digital assets. On May 26, 2021, the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act was signed into law and became effective on October 1, 2021. It was championed by Mike Flood, now-U.S. Representative for Nebraska’s 1st District.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Appoints Derek Vaughn as Associate Supreme Court Justice

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of the Honorable Derek Ray Vaughn of Omaha to the Nebraska Supreme Court, representing the Second Judicial District. His appointment fills the vacancy left by Justice Miller-Lerman who stepped down Oct. 31 after 33 years of service.

“Judge Vaughn has notable experience as a judge and as a prosecutor,” said Gov.  Pillen. “He has a heart for the Omaha community and a long-standing history of public service. His integrity and commitment to the law are evident and I’m pleased to promote him to this role on the Nebraska Supreme Court.”

Standing next to his wife Jacqueline, his children Raionna and Darius, and other family members including his mother Shirley, Justice Vaughn offered his profound appreciation.

“I’m grateful to Gov. Pillen for this amazing opportunity,” said Justice Vaughn. “I look forward to continuing my service to the people of Nebraska.”

Since August 2023, Justice Vaughn has been a district court judge in Douglas County. Prior to that, he was a county court judge for 10 years, also in Douglas County. He spent several years in the Douglas County Attorney’s Office, handling criminal and civil cases as well as a considerable caseload for the county’s problem-solving courts.

Justice Vaughn has been an adjunct instructor at several regional colleges and universities including the University of Nebraska – Omaha (UNO), Midland University and Dana College. He has served on a number of boards including the City of Omaha Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Urban League of Nebraska Board of Directors, the Nebraska Coalition for Juvenile Justice and the Office of Violence Prevention Advisory Board.

Justice Vaughn is part of the Nebraska Bench Media Committee, which works to foster positive and professional relationships between attorneys, courts and the media. He is also involved with the Salem Baptist Church and is a coordinator for the Zion Baptist Church Wild Game Feast.

During today’s announcement, Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly talked about his longstanding friendship with Justice Vaughn, which began more than 20 years ago when they were both prosecutors. Lt. Gov. Kelly highlighted a few of the things that made Justice Vaughn a great fit for the state Supreme Court -- one of those being Justice Vaughn’s love of community and things he did “off of the bench.”

“He’s a people person,” continued Lt. Gov. Kelly. “He likes to meet people, he likes to learn about what they’re doing, what they’re up to and he listens. Listening is a great part of the job.”

Justice Vaughn has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and earned his juris doctor from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) College of Law.  

The Nebraska Supreme Court Second Judicial District consists of Douglas County.