CIR Upholds Governor Pillen’s Order for State Employees to Return to Workplace

LINCOLN, NE -- Today the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations (CIR), which rules on labor disputes, issued an order upholding Governor Jim Pillen’s November 2023 executive order (EO 23-17) for all state employees to return to their workplaces. The CIR’s decision completely upheld the validity of the Governor’s executive order, ruling that the issue of ordering the state’s workforce back to the office is fully under the Governor’s executive authority and dismissing all the Nebraska Association of Public Employee (NAPE) union’s claims.

Gov. Pillen, Mayor Stothert Announce Additional State Investments into Three Shovel-Ready Capital Projects in Metro Omaha

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert announced additional funding for three Omaha-area projects through the state’s Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery & Investment Act (Shovel-Ready) program. Omaha Performing Arts, Joslyn Art Museum, and the Elkhorn Athletic Association initially each received awards of $3.86 million through the State’s first round of Shovel-Ready awards, announced in June 2022. After a reallocation of unspent program funds, the State is increasing all three awards to $6.31 million. The funds are supporting the organizations in carrying out capital projects delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

DNR Director Riley Announces Departure from State Government

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced that Tom Riley, director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be leaving his position with the state and transitioning back to the private sector. Riley’s last day with the agency will be Aug. 2.

“I appreciate Director Riley’s public service to the state, and I wish him the best in all future endeavors,” said Gov. Pillen. Riley was appointed director of DNR in November 2020.

Lt. Governor Kelly to Lead Trade Mission to Indonesia

LINCOLN, NE – In just over a week, Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly will lead a 20-plus member trade delegation to Indonesia. The week and a half long visit will include representatives from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), University of Nebraska, and several representatives of Nebraska’s agricultural producers.

Gov. Pillen Invites Nebraskans to Register for the Ag & Economic Development Summit: One Nebraska, Headlined by Husker AD Troy Dannen

LINCOLN – Governor Jim Pillen, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) encourage Nebraskans to register for the Ag & Economic Development Summit: One Nebraska. This year’s event will take place August 7-9, 2024, at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney.

Executive Orders Issued to Assist in Transportation of Ag Products & Aggregates

LINCOLN – Two executive orders (EO) have been issued from the office of Governor Jim Pillen to assist in the transportation of agricultural products and aggregates in the aftermath of storm damage and flooding that happened primarily along the Missouri River. Gov. Pillen declared a state of emergency starting June 22. Both executive orders have been signed by Lt. Governor Joe Kelly, serving as acting Governor.

Gov. Pillen Commends SCOTUS Overturn of Chevron Doctrine

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen commended the 6-3 decision from the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the Chevron deference doctrine, which broadly required courts to defer to a federal regulatory agency’s own interpretation of laws passed by the people’s representatives in Congress. Conservative legal scholars and critics of unaccountable federal overreach have for decades called for Chevron to be overturned.

Gov. Pillen Applauds Reduction in Abortions, Says It’s a Tremendous Start

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen is applauding data from Nebraska’s 2023 Statistical Report of Abortions indicating a nearly nine percent drop from 2022. The decrease follows the 2023 passage of LB574’s Preborn Child Protection Act, banning abortions after 12 weeks of gestation, unless certain exceptions apply. It was signed into law May 22, 2023.