LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen will host town halls in McCook and Sidney the day following his State of the State address. Both events are open to the media and public.

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen joined state senators and female athletes announcing the Stand With Women Act (LB89). Senator Kathleen Kauth of Omaha introduced the bill at the request of the Governor. The legislation expands portions of the Women’s Bill of Rights, which Gov. Pillen established via Executive Order 23-16 in August 2023, to schools, sports teams and state facilities.

LINCOLN, NE – At the request of Governor Jim Pillen, Senator Loren Lippincott today introduced LB3 to restore Nebraska to a winner-take-all system of awarding electoral votes in presidential elections. Nebraska is only of two states that divides its impact in the Electoral College by allocating votes by congressional district. Forty-eight (48) states follow the winner-take-all method, which apportions all electoral college votes to the winner of the state’s popular vote.

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen designated Jewel Rodgers of Omaha as Nebraska’s new state poet. Her work, along with that from three other finalists, was advanced to the Governor for his review and selection. In her letter of consideration, Rodgers said she hoped to use her role as state poet to expand on her experiences using the spoken word to make poetry accessible and relevant to all Nebraskans.

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of the Honorable Jason M. Bergevin of Columbus as an associate justice to the Nebraska Supreme Court representing the Fifth Judicial District.

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Katie Thurber as the interim commissioner for the Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL). Thurber’s interim appointment begins immediately. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Commissioner John Albin, who left earlier this month.

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen issued a statement and direction to Nebraskans to fly flags at half-staff in honor of former President Jimmy Carter. Carter, the longest living U.S. president at 100 years of age, died today. Gov. Pillen said:

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen will be discharged today from Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, where he has received treatment for injuries resulting from a horse-riding accident. He will continue his recovery at the Governor’s Residence and plans to resume his office activities next week.