Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen, Senators and Agency Leaders Part of Lexington Leaders Meeting & Big Mac Announcement

(LEXINGTON & OGALLALA, NE) -- Accompanied by state senators Teresa Ibach and Paul Strommen, Governor Jim Pillen made stops in central and western Nebraska on Thursday. The trip was two-fold: a visit to Lexington for an update in the aftermath of the closure of Tyson Foods and to award funding for road surfacing projects that will benefit Lake McConaughy.

The first stop for the group was in Lexington, where they were joined by Department of Labor Commissioner Katie Thurber and representatives from the Lexington School Board, Lexington City Council, Lexington Regional Health Center, Lexington Community Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce. During the meeting, Gov. Pillen told attendees that he continues to have conversations with Tyson leadership concerning the future of the beef processing facility. Community leaders shared information about some of the challenges and needs they have noted since Tyson ceased operations at its plant in January, affecting more than 3,000 workers.  

Gov. Pillen and Commissioner Thurber reiterated state resources that continue to be available to those workers, especially unemployment and Medicaid benefits. The state has a dedicated hotline (308-407-1517) that is available with language support for anyone with questions about unemployment insurance, job placement, job search, training, and connections to services provided through the Department of Health and Human Services.

“This remains a full team effort to assist Lexington during this time,” said Gov. Pillen. “We want to make sure that communication is getting to the right people and that they have the tools they need to support their community. The feedback we receive is invaluable, as it helps us to seek out new avenues of help and potential partnerships or philanthropic sources that could play a role in this recovery.”

Meeting representatives shared their continued optimism about the ability of their community to move forward, despite the impact of the closure. In fact, they say many of the people they have talked to want to remain in Lexington. Representatives from Central Community College shared that they have been engaged in retraining displaced workers and there are plans to initiate additional programs in the future.

Later in the afternoon, Gov. Pillen and the team were joined by Game and Parks Director Tim McCoy at the edge of Lake McConaughy to sign a program statement that promises $16 million in appropriations to the agency for infrastructure development. The funding will permit surfacing projects to get underway on the south side of Lake McConaughy.

Currently, those roads are narrow and difficult to navigate by pickup trucks and vehicles hauling large boats and campers. Over time, traffic has continued to increase, as those roads provide access to an area of the lake where people can offload their boats, even when water levels are low.  The funded upgrades will provide improved and much safer travel and access to boat ramps and campgrounds, including when planned yearlong construction on Kingsly Dam takes place.

“These funds represent an investment in a major tourist destination for our state. Keith County attracts visitors from across the state and beyond. This is an opportunity to spur tourism, economic growth and create convenience for those who enjoy boating, fishing and recreating at Big Mac,” said Gov. Pillen.

It’s expected the 10-mile paving project will be completed in December 2028.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Hosts Students for TPUSA Club America Partnership Announcement

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Pillen hosted around 60 high school and college students from across Nebraska in announcing a new partnership to bring Turning Point USA Club America chapters to all high schools. The event, hosted at the Governor’s Residence, included Attorney General Mike Hilgers; Nick Cocca, TPUSA Club America Enterprise Director; and Chapter President Emma Smith, of Creighton University.

Prior to the afternoon event, Gov. Pillen spoke with TPUSA CEO Erika Kirk. Kirk has led Turning Point since the assassination of her husband five months ago. During that week, Gov. Pillen spoke at a candlelight vigil for Kirk on the University of Nebraska – Lincoln campus.

“The handful of occasions that I got to spend time with Charlie, I learned he was about faith, family, and bettering our country. Charlie’s ‘why’ was to stand up and speak what he believed,” said Gov. Pillen. “Grassroot politics are at the heart of the American system of government, and I believe the future of our country is stronger when our students know and appreciate American exceptionalism, our constitution and freedom.”

“Charlie deeply loved Club America, and he knew the importance of lifting up our students,” said CEO Kirk. “They’re our future and we’re going to do everything possible to empower and amplify their voices in Nebraska. Through this partnership, we get one step closer to Charlie’s vision of seeing Club America in every high school in the nation.”

Kirk started Turning Point USA in 2012. The nonprofit’s mission is to identify, educate, train and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets and limited government.  The organization helps coordinate the launch of high school chapters through Club America. Currently, Club America boasts more than 3,200 chapters, representing 13 percent of all high schools in America.  There are 22 high school chapters in Nebraska. Representatives attending today’s announcement included those in public, private and homeschools, including students from as far as Ogallala and McCook and as close as Lincoln.

Students representing community colleges and universities in Nebraska also participated in today’s announcement, including Smith, who spearheaded the restart of the chapter at Creighton University. Smith worked for a year to get it going again, and the club was officially recognized last week.

Smith said that Turning Point did not tell her what to think, but it did challenge her to ask questions, think critically, engage in ideas, discover what she believed and to have the confidence to stand behind her beliefs.

“Politics used to be something I avoided entirely, now it’s a part of my everyday life, not because I have to, but because I want to. Because I care deeply about the direction of this country and I believe my generation has a responsibility to protect what is right, rational and worth preserving,” she added.

In addition to Smith who represented participants from Creighton University, students from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Southeast Community College, Metro Community College and Hastings College were also on hand at today’s event. There are currently 17 college-based chapters throughout the state.

Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who recalled learning about the political assassination of Charlie Kirk, called today’s gathering of student representatives a day to celebrate.  

“This is the antidote to political discord,” said Hilgers. “This is the antidote to poison in our culture. It is young people, people of all ages who are approaching issues – not with violence and not with hate and not with yelling or disruption – they’re approaching it based out of love and joy and courage in talking about the things they believe in, using free speech in this constitutional structure that we’ve been gifted by generations before us.”

TPUSA said it has seen at least a 600% increase in Nebraska-based chapters since September 10, 2025, the day Kirk was assassinated. Cocca has been with TPUSA since 2016 and worked with Kirk to launch Club America. He shared that Kirk was very enthusiastic about the idea of reaching out to teenage students.

“Charlie believed deeply in the future of this country – that it belongs to its youth and it’s our responsibility to ensure they are informed, empowered and prepared to inherit this Republic and carry on freedom for the next generation,” said Cocca.

“I hope that these young people here today inspire all of us to take a step further to stand up and say we can have good debate, we can talk and we can work through it,” added Gov.  Pillen.

Following the announcement, students and their chaperones stayed for a reception at the Governor’s Residence, hosted by Gov. Pillen.

Pro-business Approach is Powering Nebraska’s Economy

By Governor Jim Pillen

February 6, 2026

Bloat and waste have no place in your family’s budget, and they shouldn’t find a place in the state’s budget either. Nebraskans believe in a government that lives within its means – efficiently and effectively serving its people.

With an overall $22+ billion budget, across 79 state agencies, over 510 separate budget programs, and 900 cash funds – not to mention industry jargon about Forecasting Board predictions, bienniums, earmarks, and reserves – there’s a lot going on. I wanted to write today to help share some truth about the state’s financial position. 

Simply, Nebraska’s fiscal health is beyond question. 

While a few loud Debbie Downers breathlessly traffic doomsday narratives, today, the State of Nebraska has over $1.4 billion in the bank and the highest credit rating in our history. 

We’re stable, growing, and our economy is competing on a national scale. Recently released data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that Nebraska posted some of the strongest Q3 economic numbers in the country. We beat the national average and earned a spot in the top quarter of states for GDP increases – and we came in at #2 nationally for personal income growth. 

Yet more national data shows that we’ve successfully stemmed the tide of out-migration, posting the lowest number of people leaving the state since 2010.

These successes don't happen overnight and speak to the common-sense, living-within-your-means approach to business and government Nebraskans believe in. 

Since last summer, I’ve spent countless hours with my Cabinet leaders taking a business-minded approach to reviewing the State’s budget – line by line – to find inefficiencies and waste.

Philosophically, I believe smaller government better serves Nebraskans. Practically, that means the State of Nebraska needs to balance its books. This legislative session, we’re going to fill the Forecasting Board’s projected budget shortfall by creating a leaner, more efficient government while still delivering the high-quality services Nebraskans depend on.

In this Administration, we’re running government like a business – building a pro-enterprise climate, with a whole lot less regulatory red tape and a culture of fiscal conservatism that believes in decreasing spend and increasing accountability. 

We already have major advantages for anybody considering doing business here: 

• Abundant, cheap, and reliable power – through public power, Nebraskans save $1.25 billion
• Ranked #1 for best infrastructure – and a national transportation hub connected by road and rail
• America’s hardest-working workforce
• An ongoing commitment to reducing the tax burden
• High quality of life and low cost of living
• A pro-business regulatory environment

Nebraska’s right on track. That doesn’t mean anyone is satisfied. We have to keep pushing forward, as we work to improve the lives of our neighbors, both rural and urban. Better affordability and increased opportunity help every Nebraska family get ahead and own their own home. 

Recently, joined by a bipartisan group of business and community leaders, we announced the Grow the Good Life incentive, a robust plan to bring more families and high-paying careers to turbocharge our already strong economy. 

This groundbreaking effort will be second to none, giving businesses of all sizes a significant tax credit – 10% for a full decade – when they grow their business by bringing NEW, high-paying careers and people to our state.

This will be one of the most significant people and business recruitment tools in state history – and will give a boost to all Nebraska businesses by bringing new families who will invest in our communities, buy more groceries, and support local commerce.

Now’s the time to capitalize on Nebraska’s success. Our people – the best part of our great state – deserve a framework that sets us up to compete nationally, beat the market, and keep growing the Good Life.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Appoints Flaherty as County Court Judge in Fifth Judicial District

LINCOLN, NE -- Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Breanna D. Flaherty of Columbus as county court judge in the Fifth Judicial District. That district includes Boone, Butler, Colfax, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Saunders, Seward, and York counties. The vacancy is due to the retirement of Judge C. Jo Petersen.

Flaherty is presently the Platte County Attorney. She has been in that office since 2012, having also served as a deputy and chief deputy in that office. Flaherty is also an adjunct instructor at Central Community College where she has taught criminal law, criminal procedure and other related topics at the Columbus campus.

Flaherty is currently a board member of both the Centro Hispano Comunitario de Nebraska and the Columbus Optimist Club. She has served several state organizations including the Nebraska Coalition for Juvenile Justice, County Attorney Standards Advisory Council and the Nebraska Children’s Commission. Flaherty is also a mock trial attorney coach for Scotus Catholic School.

Flaherty received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Wayne State College, a master’s degree in forensic science from Nebraska Wesleyan University and her juris doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Accepts Resignation from Oldenburg on Medical Cannabis Commission; Takes Applications for Vacancy

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen thanked Dr. Monica Oldenburg for her work on the Medical Cannabis Commission and announced that he would take applications to fill her vacancy. Oldenburg was appointed to serve on the Commission in May of last year.  She submitted her letter of resignation to the Governor Monday evening.

Those interested in serving on the Commission may submit an application through the Governor’s website: https://governor.nebraska.gov/boards-commissions-open-positions. Applications may also be mailed to: Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 94848, Lincoln, NE 68509-4848.

Members of the Medical Cannabis Commission serve six-year terms. The appointment is subject to legislative confirmation.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 3 at 5 p.m.