In his State of the State speech, Gov. Pillen emphasizes budget cuts and a fresh start for Nebraska amid rising healthcare costs.
Lincoln: So, Gov. Jim Pillen just gave his State of the State speech, and it was quite the ride. He talked about how the state is facing some serious budget issues, especially with healthcare costs going up and those pandemic funds drying up.
He mentioned having to make some tough choices, even cutting programs he had just signed into law last year. It’s a bit unusual for a governor to target so many programs, but he felt it was necessary to balance the budget.
Pillen’s plan includes cutting nearly $23 million meant to attract workers and businesses to Nebraska and even $60,000 for tax breaks on livestock twine. He’s really trying to trim the fat, saying we need to clean out the government’s closets.
During his speech, he shared a personal story about getting thrown off a horse and ending up in surgery with some serious injuries. He got pretty emotional, saying he feels like he got a “second shot at life” and is committed to fighting for Nebraskans. The crowd loved it and gave him a standing ovation.
But not everyone was on board with his focus on social issues. Some lawmakers were disappointed he spent time on divisive topics, like a bill that defines gender in state law. It’s clear there’s a lot of disagreement on these issues.
He also pushed for changing how Nebraska assigns its Electoral College votes, which has been a hot topic. Some senators are worried this could silence certain voices in the state, especially those from more liberal areas.
On the budget side, he’s looking to save money by consolidating state agencies and reforming school funding, which many agree is a good move. But there’s a lot of criticism about how we got here, with some saying the governor’s tax cuts for the wealthy are part of the problem.
Overall, it was a mixed bag. Some folks are excited about the changes, while others are skeptical about the cuts and the focus on social issues. It’s going to be an interesting year ahead in Nebraska politics.
