Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen encouraged residents to take part in what he called the “season of democracy,” urging Nebraskans to remember the sacrifices made by veterans and to participate in upcoming elections. Speaking at a roundtable in Holdrege Thursday afternoon, Gov. Pillen recounted a recent trip to the Philippines, where he visited a World War II cemetery containing the graves of more than 17,000 Americans. He said stories of military service and sacrifice serve as a reminder that freedom is not free and challenged audience members to share that message with others and encourage them to vote.
The governor also shared an earlier announcement on the creation of a task force focused on improving emergency communications for volunteer firefighters following this year’s major wildfire response efforts. Pillen said communication failures during several large fires created dangerous situations for first responders and pledged that state agencies, volunteer firefighters, the Nebraska National Guard, State Patrol, and other partners will develop a statewide communications plan within 60 days. He also pushed back against concerns about Nebraska’s financial condition, saying the state remains fiscally strong while reducing spending to match recently approved income tax cuts.
Pillen highlighted several agriculture and water-related initiatives, including a federal grant program aimed at improving water quality, water measurement, and on-farm technology adoption. Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment Director Jesse Bradley said a $307 million federal grant will help fund conservation and technology projects across the state, including approximately $200 million dedicated to the One Red Ag Data and Grants Program. Pillen also praised Nebraska’s cattle industry, ethanol production, renewable natural gas opportunities, and public power system, which he said help position the state for future growth and economic development.
Gov. Pillen fielded a number of questions from the audience including how can young people be assisted in starting cattle herds and the pause in on-road diesel taxes. Gov. Pillen said he’s often asked why not implement a pause on gasoline tax as well? He said road construction is awfully far behind in Nebraska the way it is and described it as “unacceptable”. Other topics include a legal pathway towards citizenship and the sport gambling ballot initiatives. Pillen says they if you’re voting for the sport gambling measures for property tax relief he believes one “would be sadly mistaken” as he does not believe it would provide much in the way of property tax relief.
