Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Governor’s Columns Support Key Initiatives; Align with Actions Taken by President Trump

LINCOLN, NE – A series of columns by Governor Jim Pillen call for support on key initiatives important to Nebraskans and align with recent actions taken by President Donald J. Trump.  The Governor’s latest column was published in The Federalist just prior to his attendance at last week’s White House signing ceremony promoting efforts to right size the U.S. Department of Education and boosting state and local control.  

The editorial points out: “Since the Department of Education was formed as a standalone department in 1980, we’ve seen its budget and workforce bloat — but we haven’t seen improved outcomes for students, parents, or teachers. We clearly aren’t getting what we’re paying for.

There is a simpler, better path forward. By sending education back to states, we let those nearest to the student have the biggest influence. This is a pro-kid, pro-parent, pro-teacher, pro-school position. No matter the style of schooling families choose — public, private, homeschool, or hybrid — our lessons should be focused on helping our youth succeed, and you don’t need federal government mandates to do that.”

The entire column can be found here: https://governor.nebraska.gov/gov-pillen-editorial-supports-us-department-education-changes-praises-nebraska-teachers.

The benefit of youth sports and providing protections to girls and women was the focus of another column in which Gov. Pillen said: “Data show that youth sports are a gold mine for those that participate. Student athletes are more likely to excel academically and graduate at a higher rate than non-athletes. They learn teamwork, communication, and leadership skills that are hard to replicate in just about any classroom. They become more disciplined by juggling practices and schoolwork. They form friendships and find role models, like coaches, who can inspire.

Youth sports have especially benefited girls, who before the enactment of Title IX in the 1970s, had many fewer sports opportunities than boys. Now, those benefits are threatened by the rise of a movement to allow biological boys to participate in girls’ sports.”

Gov. Pillen was part of the White House celebration at which President Trump signed the executive order Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports. At the start of the legislative session, he and Senator Kathleen Kauth stood with female athletes to introduce the Stand With Women Act (LB89), which was voted out of committee last week.

In his column (https://governor.nebraska.gov/legislative-update-values-sports-teach-our-kids) the Governor said:  “Just like most Nebraskans, I want to keep politics as far from the field as possible, but this conversation – taken over by a vocal minority – needs a dose of common sense and straightforward policy. The reality is that this issue is NOT political – it’s simply about protecting our girls and standing up for our values.”

Supporting actions by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to combat avian flu and reduce egg prices, Gov. Pillen shared with FoxNews.com that strong leadership and effective management of animal disease were key.  

“Nebraska’s fields and pasture lands are expansive – about 90% of our land is devoted to farming and ranching. I’ve seen it firsthand: as rural goes, so goes agriculture. Secretary Rollins believes this, and she is an advocate for us. I’ve heard her articulate a vision for rural economic prosperity and development that will go a long way in giving our families and communities a boost.

We need to work with our federal partners to help build this roadmap for American agriculture. We know our potential is second to none. We have the best people and plentiful water, crops, and livestock.  With great optimism and renewed partnerships, this season of leadership and newfound opportunity will lead to a long-lasting period of abundance – and cheaper eggs – for the American people.”

That editorial is available at: https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/smart-policy-cheaper-eggs-trump-rollins-team-good-farmers-us-consumers.

Gov. Pillen has also been vocal in his support of targeted tariff’s implemented by President Trump, which are designed to combat trade imbalances with countries around the world.  

“Trade hinges on the idea of mutual economic benefit — it’s a great goal, and it’s good for everyone. But we aren’t playing in a “free trade” space anymore, certainly not with foreign adversaries and trade manipulators such as China on the scene. Agriculture has to rely on trade. We know it, and we depend on it. However, the status quo just isn’t working.

We aren’t victims, but U.S. farmers and ranchers need a boost. We’re problem solvers who know how special it is to fulfill our calling. That’s why this conversation matters. Agriculture across this country deserves free and fair trade because if we get it, we know the U.S. is going to win big. I’ll bet the farm on it.”

The Governor’s column can be found here: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/faith-freedom-self-reliance/3324484/trump-trade-policy-will-save-farmers/.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen and Lt. Gov. Kelly React to Announced Extradition of Eswin Mejia

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen and Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly say they are encouraged that the pursuit for justice for Sarah Root and her family is taking another significant step forward. Wanted fugitive Eswin Mejia will be extradited to Nebraska to face charges for her death in a 2016 crash. Mejia, who was in the U.S. illegally, disappeared after posting bail.   

“We are grateful to the large team of federal, state and Honduran officials, as well as to state public servants who also had a hand in the capture of Mejia. Over nine long years, law enforcement officers never gave up on the search for Root’s killer. We thank Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his efforts to ensure that Mejia will be extradited back to the United States.”

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Declares Emergency for Counties Impacted by Winter Storm

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen declared a state of emergency for more than 20 counties impacted by this week’s winter storm. The combination of rain, sleet, hail, heavy snow, and high winds resulted in closures across multiple roadways, including Interstate 80. Conditions also did considerable damage to trees and power lines, resulting in a loss of electricity across multiple service areas. The heaviest damage occurred along the eastern part of the state. 

Since Wednesday, significant progress has been made in getting customers reconnected.  The public power districts have received assistance from crews in other states, through mutual aid agreements.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the peak outage was reported Thursday afternoon with 119,199 customers without power. That has now been reduced to just over 29,000 customers.

Gov. Pillen has received regular updates from the utilities, as well as from leadership within the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), while storm recovery has continued over the last few days. His proclamation will allow Nebraska’s adjutant general to take any steps necessary and to utilize funds for protecting lives and property impacted by the storm. 

Counties covered by today’s emergency declaration include Burt, Butler, Cass, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Lancaster, Platte, Polk, Nuckolls, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward, Thayer, Thurston, Washington, Wayne and York. It is possible the list of counties will change as NEMA continues to receive damage assessment data from local emergency management agencies. If so, an additional declaration may be issued by Gov. Pillen. Initial damage estimates currently exceed $21 million. Again, it is possible that number will fluctuate with ongoing damage assessments.  

Today, Gov. Pillen reiterated his appreciation to those who have been managing aspects of storm since its onset early Wednesday.

“From state troopers who assisted stranded motorists, to snow removal crews and now those involved in repairing downed lines to re-establish our power grid – a lot of people have stepped up very quickly to ensure that our safety has been the number one priority,” said Gov. Pillen.

Once all damage assessments are completed, steps will be undertaken to seek a federal disaster declaration.

In conjunction with this proclamation, Gov. Pillen also issued an executive order waiving the use of dynamic pricing for the remainder of the emergency order.  

Copies of both documents are attached to this release.

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CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen and Dept. of Agriculture Offer Information for Reporting Dead Wild Birds

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen is partnering with the Department of Agriculture (NDA) in providing Nebraskans with information about the appearance of avian influenza in wild birds this time of year.  Today, the Douglas County Health Department reported on the detection of H5N1 in dead geese at ConAgra Lake in Omaha.

“Nebraska is situated in the heart of the migratory bird path, especially waterfowl.  It’s well known that wild waterfowl can be infected with avian influenza and transmit the virus to other birds, including backyard and commercial poultry, through contact including wild bird droppings.  Many wild birds will show no symptoms of the virus however, some will succumb to the disease,” said NDA State Veterinarian Roger Dudley.

According to the USDA Wildlife Services website, there were 29 wild birds with H5N1 in Nebraska in 2022. There were 17 reported in 2023, 11 in 2024 and five in 2025, excluding the two most recent detections reported in Douglas County.

Anyone spotting a dead wild bird is encouraged to utilize the new Nebraska Game and Parks website to report it.  An easy-to-complete webform can be found here: https://outdoornebraska.gov/conservation/conservation-challenges/wildlife-diseases/avian-influenza/.