Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Nebraska Joins Freedom Haulers Initiative, Streamlining Veteran Access to Trucking Careers

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen is officially joining President Trump’s Freedom Haulers initiative – a federal program designed to fast-track military veterans into high-paying commercial trucking careers.  Unveiled by the President this week, the program helps streamline the requirements necessary for obtaining a commercial driver’s license.

“This program provides another career opportunity for our military veterans,” said Gov. Pillen. “It reduces red tape and speeds the process for those who may already have training in operating heavy vehicles. It also extends the window of time for them to take advantage of this program.”

Under the Governor’s direction, the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will make the necessary changes to ensure that qualifying veterans receive necessary testing waivers in order to participate in the program and the associated Even Exchange Program. Primarily, this will mean that a written test is not necessary as long at the veteran has experience operating certain vehicles during active duty. In Nebraska, the driving skills test is already waived.

“The parameters of the program are very specific in describing which branches of the military and the type of prior vehicle experience that qualify for a waiver,” explained Rhonda Lahm, director of the DMV. “This ensures that veteran drivers already have the skill set that would ensure the highest levels of safety while operating a commercial vehicle on our nation’s highways.”

Under the changes outlined through the Freedom Haulers initiative and the Even Exchange program, qualified veterans will now have 24 months to obtain a waiver. Previously, they were limited to a time frame of 12 months.

Additionally, as announced by the Trump Administration, veterans who have never operated a heavy commercial motor vehicle during their military service can take advantage of federal programs providing CDL training. Werner Enterprises, which is based in Nebraska and was present for the rollout of the Freedom Haulers initiative, has pledged to hire 1,400 new veteran drivers this year.

“Our veterans have already earned valuable skills through their military service, and programs like Freedom Haulers and the Even Exchange Program ensure those skills translate directly into civilian careers instead of creating unnecessary barriers,” said Director John Hilgert, Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “By streamlining the path to a commercial driver's license and connecting veterans with Nebraska employers like Werner Enterprises, these initiatives create meaningful job opportunities while strengthening our nation's workforce and supply chain.  This is a no-brainer with transportation so important to Nebraska and with all our efforts to attract veterans to Nebraska."

CONTACT:    

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495   

Justin Pinkerman, DED, justin.pinkerman@nebraska.gov

Governor Pillen Concludes Successful Trade Mission to Japan and the Philippines 

LINCOLN, NE – This week, Governor Jim Pillen concluded a highly productive trade mission to Japan and the Philippines. Priorities for the mission included (1) promoting Nebraska beef, pork, and wheat; (2) expanding markets for Nebraska ethanol; and (3) identifying opportunities for Nebraska to produce energy for Asian customers.

“Nebraska is investing in relationships with reliable U.S. allies in Asia, like Japan and the Philippines, while reducing dependence on Communist China,” said Gov. Pillen. “Japan routinely ranks among Nebraska’s top customers for beef, pork, and other agricultural products. Meanwhile, the Philippines has a fast-developing market economy and a growing appetite for U.S. food and fuel. The trade mission strengthened Nebraska’s position as a supplier of choice for key customers in both countries.”

The final day of the trade mission was packed with events. On Wednesday morning, Gov. Pillen and State Senator Rita Sanders met with San Miguel Corporation, a major conglomerate with approximately 60,000 direct employees. The company has more than 100 facilities in the Asia Pacific and imorts food products from Nebraska.

“It was an honor to represent Nebraska in the Philippines and to showcase all that our state has to offer,” said Sen. Sanders. “The trade mission was a great way to raise our state’s profile and to tout our global leadership in food and ethanol production. The Filipino people are delightful, and I am grateful for the warm hospitality we received everywhere we went.”

Gov. Pillen also had a high-level meeting on Wednesday with Sharon Garin, Secretary of the Philippines Department of Energy. Leaders of Nebraska ethanol companies joined Gov. Pillen to highlight Nebraska’s low-carbon advantage in biofuel production.

“There is immense potential for Nebraska’s ethanol plants to meet the fuel needs of the Philippine market,” said DJ Eihusen of Chief Ethanol. “Additionally, there are great opportunities for Nebraska ethanol to partner with global energy producers. The carbon we’re capturing can be used to make cleaner gases that meet the energy needs of customers in Asia.”

In the afternoon, Governor Pillen joined U.S. Ambassador Lee Lipton at the World Food Expo, which has been the most attended food and hospitality event in the Philippines for 20+ years. Together, they joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a brand-new booth to promote U.S. products. During the expo, Gov. Pillen and the Nebraska Beef Council took part in a live cooking demonstration to provide Filipino customers with a taste of high-quality Nebraska beef.

“Nebraska beef is tasty, nutritious, and known for being produced in keeping with the highest biosecurity protocols,” said Rosmary Anderson, a board member of the Nebraska Beef Council. “As the Philippines’ middle class grows, more families are buying beef—and in greater quantities. Nebraska is in a wonderful position to be a preferred provider to Philippine importers as they seek to meet rising demand for beef.”

An evening reception hosted by the USDA, followed by a dinner with the Philippines’ Meat Importers and Traders Association, capped off the Nebraska delegation’s mission to the Philippines.

“Nebraska grows things and makes things that are in demand worldwide,” said Gov. Pillen. “It’s amazing to see Nebraska-made products featured on shelves and in restauants halfway around the world. I’m very pleased by the connections we made, and the opportunities we opened, that will help Nebraskans do even more business with Japan and the Philippines.”

Nebraska delegation meets with San Miguel Corporation

Meeting with members of Philippines Department of Energy

Delegation attends World Food Expo

Delegation attends World Food Expo

Delegation attends World Food Expo

Contact:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Nebraskans are Asked to Lower Flags Saturday for Firefighter Nathan Matthews

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, in recognition of the service and sacrifice by firefighter Nathan Matthews. Matthews died last week from injuries he sustained while battling a wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border in late June.

Originally from Lincoln, Matthews was serving with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service as part of the Rifle Helitack crew battling the Knowles fire. Matthews and another firefighter were injured in that incident and hospitalized. Three other members died at the scene.

Matthews will be co-honored by Nebraska and Colorado. Governor Jared Polis will order that flags be lowered in Colorado on Friday. A motorcade escorting Matthews remains will depart at 7:30 a.m. (MT) tomorrow from Denver to Grand Junction along I-70.

Here in Nebraska, flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, the day of Matthews’ memorial. The event, organized through the Upper Colorado River Interagency Management Unit, is open to the public. It will begin at 10 a.m. (MT) at the Avalon Theatre in Grand Junction.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Contact:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Flags to Fly at Half-Mast Monday for Police Chief Young

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has requested that Nebraskans lower their flags to half-staff on Monday, Aug. 3 in honor of Crete Police Chief Gary Young. Young died on Monday. The Crete Police Department has since shared details of the funeral service and procession that will take place that day.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Monday at Ag Hall in Tuxedo Park in Crete. The funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. After that, law enforcement will lead a procession to Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Lincoln for the burial. 

Per Gov. Pillen's request, flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday. 

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

USDA Designates More Nebraska Counties as Disasters; Frees up Loan Assistance to Farmers Impacted by Drought

LINCOLN, NE – The number of Nebraska counties adversely impacted by drought continues to grow. Governor Jim Pillen has announced the approval of two primary counties and 11 contiguous counties that will now be eligible for loan assistance through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA).

“This most recent secretarial disaster designation from Sec. Brooke Rollins will now increase the number of counties that can access to emergency loans. I appreciate Sec. Rollins, her constant attention to the needs of or farmers and ag producers who might require this assistance as a result of the drought impact during this growing season,” said Gov. Pillen.

The counties are listed below:

Primary: Lancaster, Saline

Contiguous: Butler, Cass, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Otoe, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, York

In May, the USDA took similar action for 13 Nebraska counties, which are named here: USDA Loan Assistance Counties.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply. Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with additional information.