Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Issues Statement Following SCOTUS Ruling

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen issued the following statement upon a 6-3 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court permitting states to ban transgender girls and women from participating on female sports teams.

“Today's ruling affirms many of the actions we have taken in Nebraska through the issuance of the Women's Bill of Rights, passage of the Stand with Women Act and my support of Sen. Kauth's LB730 last session.

Men do not belong in women's sports or spaces. The Supreme Court's decision affirming the rights of states to initiate these bans is a significant victory — one that will ensure fairness and fair play in women's sports.”

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Holds Blair Signing Ceremony to Highlight Housing Affordability Bill

BLAIR, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen joined local leaders, housing advocates and contractors in Blair for the ceremonial bill signing of LB 1114. Advanced as a priority by the Legislature’s Urban Affairs Committee, the comprehensive package contains the Community Improvement District (CID) Act introduced by Senator Mike Jacobson. The new law provides a tool designed to allow property owners to voluntarily form specialized districts to finance, construct, and maintain vital public infrastructure within city or village limits.

To highlight its impact, Gov. Jim Pillen held the event at the future site of the Bear Creek housing development. Bear Creek plans to be among the first in Nebraska to utilize the new CID tool to construct 137 new homes at a starting price of $320,000.

“The rising cost of housing across the country has created a steep barrier for far too many people who want to achieve the dream of owning a home,” said Gov. Jim Pillen. “LB 1114 tackles this problem head-on by paving the way for the development of hundreds of new homes at a more affordable starting price for Nebraska families.”

Traditionally, infrastructure requirements for a new development - such as utility hookups, grading, streets, and sewer lines – add a staggering $30,000 to $50,000 per lot. Because local communities often face financing hurdles to build these systems, affordable housing projects frequently struggle to get off the ground, or they produce homes that are simply too expensive for the middle class.

“The provisions from LB 1130, included in LB 1114, give Nebraska communities a new, locally controlled tool to finance infrastructure and support responsible growth. By reducing upfront development costs, these provisions can encourage the construction of much-needed housing, improve affordability, and create opportunities to address their unique needs,” said Sen. Jacobson. “I appreciate the collaborative effort that brought these ideas together and look forward to the positive impact they will have across Nebraska.”

LB 1114 creates an in-city framework where CIDs can leverage tax-exempt financing to defer upfront infrastructure costs. The debt is slowly repaid over time through revenues generated within the district itself, rather than being front-loaded onto the home’s initial price.

“We would like to thank the Governor’s office, Senator Jacobson, the Urban Affairs Committee, the City of Blair and the Welcome Home Coalition in helping to move this transformation bill forward,” said Adam Flanagan, managing director and co-owner of Bluestem Capital Partners “Bluestem Capital Partners is excited to immediately use this new tool across Nebraska to tackle the housing shortage, particularly, the affordable housing shortage.”

By applying the new CID mechanism to Blair’s Bear Creek development, the project will reduce upfront lot costs and final home prices by approximately 30%. This will save new homeowners hundreds of dollars per month compared to traditional private developments.

“LB 1114 is the most important financial tool that has been passed in the state of Nebraska since the TIF law was passed in 1978,” said Jason Thiellen, CEO of E&A Consulting Group and president of the Welcome Home Coalition. “LB 1114 provides the opportunity for communities all across Nebraska to finance public infrastructure to help them grow and prosper by being able to partner with local developers and builders to provide the much-needed housing stock at a more affordable price than ever before. We at Welcome Home appreciate the public/private partnership it took to get LB 1114 across the finish line.”

Brought forward in partnership with the Welcome Home Coalition, a nonprofit network of individuals, businesses, and organizations dedicated to proactively improving Nebraska’s starter housing market, the CID framework targets upfront development roadblocks. Blair will secure the housing supply and expanded property tax base it needs, while the development itself will drive local jobs and commercial spending.

“We appreciate Governor Pillen joining us today for this historic step forward creating Community Improvement Districts in Nebraska, said Phil Green, Blair city administrator. “This district is an incredible tool in helping finance public infrastructure for communities like Blair.”

CONTACT:
Laura Strimple, Governor’s Office - (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Reissues Order to Ensure Continued Supplies to Wildfire-Impacted Areas

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has reissued an executive order to ensure the continued hauling of hay and other supplies to areas devastated by wildfires. The order relaxes rules for commercial motor carriers operating in the state of Nebraska.

The latest order will remain in place through July 14.

A link to the order (26-15) can be found on the Governor’s website here: https://govdocs.nebraska.gov/docs/pilot/pubs/eoindex.html

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for Severe Storm Damage

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has requested that President Donald Trump issue a major disaster declaration in the wake of severe storms that impacted the state May 15 – 18. Those storms resulted in tornadoes, extreme straight-line winds and flash flooding across multiple counties. If approved, the funding will assist in covering costs resulting in damage to public infrastructure.

The request includes Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties. Reported damage included downed power poles and lines, as well as damage to schools, buildings, and roadways. Debris cleanup was significant in some counties following the storms. Emergency shelters were also necessary in areas where individuals had been displaced. Damage estimates now exceed $4.9 million.

In addition to the disaster declaration request, Gov. Pillen has also requested access to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which provides funding to governmental entities, allowing them to rebuild in ways that will reduce or mitigate future disaster losses. Approval would allow the state to apply for such grants.

This is the second federal disaster declaration request that the Governor has made in as many months. In May, Gov. Pillen requested one for the destructive wildfires that impacted Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln, and Morill counties. At the time of the request, preliminary damage estimates had reached nearly $9.7 million.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen, Senators, and Childcare Advocates Celebrate Signing of LB 304

LINCOLN, NE – Surrounded by children from the Kids Can Community Center in Omaha, Governor Jim Pillen ceremoniously signed LB 304 with sponsor Senator Wendy DeBoer and bill supporter Senator Brad von Gillern. The law permanently expands eligibility for child-care assistance, helping thousands of Nebraska families maintain access to affordable care and enabling parents to remain in the workforce. The bill was introduced during the 2025 legislative session and passed this year.

“Without this bill, thousands of working families would have lost vital childcare assistance. That would have made it more difficult for those parents to remain in the workforce,” said Gov. Jim Pillen. “This isn’t just a family issue -- it’s a workforce issue. By signing this legislation, we’re not just extending a program, we are renewing a promise to Nebraskans that this will always be a place where you can raise a family and build a career.”

In 2024, Gov. Jim Pillen signed the Child Care Tax Credit Act, creating a refundable Nebraska state tax credit for parents or legal guardians of qualifying children age 5 and younger. To be eligible, a taxpayer’s total household income must be $150,000 or less, and the child must be claimed as a dependent for federal income tax purposes.

The credit provides $2,000 per qualifying child for households with income of $75,000 or less and $1,000 per qualifying child for households with income greater than $75,000 but not more than $150,000. The refundable credit was designed to help Nebraska families offset the cost of childcare while supporting workforce participation and economic growth.

LB 304 builds on Nebraska’s broader childcare initiatives by making the state’s expanded childcare subsidy eligibility provisions permanent. Together, the tax credit and expanded subsidy program provide complementary forms of support to help Nebraska families access affordable childcare.

“Thank you to all the co-sponsors of LB 304, the advocates we worked with to pass the bill – especially First Five Nebraska and all the families who helped us along the way – and to Governor Pillen for his support of LB 304,” said Sen. DeBoer. “Because of this bill, more children in Nebraska will have access to quality childcare and their parents will be able to work knowing their kids are safe. Legislation like LB 304 prioritizes our kids and families, making Nebraska a better place to live while ensuring our economy stays strong.”

The legislation removes the sunset date on Nebraska’s expanded childcare subsidy eligibility rules, preserving the higher income eligibility limit at 185% of the federal poverty level rather than allowing it to revert to a lower threshold.

Sen von Gillern, chair of the Legislature’s Revenue Committee, was a strong supporter of LB 304.

“I am pleased to have worked with Sen. DeBoer and colleagues across the chamber to get LB 304 across the finish line,” said Sen. von Gillern. “This critical bill helps working Nebraska families care well for their children while parents fill essential roles in the workplace. This was a great bipartisan effort, illustrating that great things are possible when we all work together.”

The law also permanently preserves transitional childcare assistance, allowing families to gradually phase out of the program as their income rises above eligibility limits. In addition, LB 304 eliminates scheduled expiration dates for the funding mechanism tied to federal Child Care and Development Block Grant support for these reforms.

By making these provisions permanent, LB 304 provides long-term stability for Nebraska families, employers, and childcare providers while strengthening the state’s workforce and economy.

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