Latest News from the Governor's Office

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Urges Elimination of Confusing TEEOSA Formula Following NDE Error

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen is sharing his frustration with an error by the independent Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) that resulted in millions of dollars being overpaid to school districts receiving state equalization aid. Omaha Public Schools was among the districts impacted by the miscalculation and will receive reduced funding in the 2026-2027 school year to address the excess distribution of $30 million. The Department of Education is governed by an elected board and is not a code agency directly accountable to the Governor.

Gov. Pillen’s statement follows:

“This error is another example of how the TEEOSA formula continues to fail Nebraskans. Time and time again, I have said that we must do away with this complex formula that nobody understands and have the state fund schools while providing property tax relief. 

Unfortunately, this call has fallen on deaf ears with a small group of members of the Legislature, who continue to block any attempt at tax reform. This inaction is hurting kids and creating major challenges for local school boards and leaders as they budget for the future. 

TEEOSA is a failure, trust in that system is shaken, and it must be reformed.”

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Three Nominees Forwarded for County Court Judge in the Seventh Judicial District

LINCOLN, NE – Today, the Judicial Nominating Commission for County Court Judge in the Seventh Judicial District advanced three names for consideration by Governor Jim Pillen: Patrick P. Carney, Norfolk; Chelsey R. Hartner, Madison; and Dennis W. Morland, Norfolk.

The Seventh Judicial District consists of Antelope, Cuming, Knox, Madison, Pierce, Stanton and Wayne counties. The vacancy is due to the appointment of Judge Michael L. Long to the district court.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Makes Appointments to Nebraska Liquor Control Commission

LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced two appointments to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Robert “Bud” Synhorst of Lincoln has been selected to represent the 1st Congressional District.  James Elworth of Nebraska City will represent the 3rd Congressional District.

Synhorst is the owner of RobNik Strategies and the former president/CEO of the Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA). He was also executive director of the Alpaca Owners Association and has served on the Nebraska State Board of Health. Synhorst has a master’s degree in education administration from the University of Nebraska – Kearney (UNK).

Elworth is retired, having served as a former state assistant attorney and a county prosecutor in both Lancaster and Dodge counties.  He was also involved in investigating, interpreting and enforcing rule violations in athletics, including for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Elworth received both his undergraduate degree and his juris doctor from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL).

Three members serve on the Liquor Control Commission, each representing one of Nebraska’s congressional districts. Appointments are subject to confirmation by the Nebraska Legislature.

Newly appointed commissioners serve six-year terms. In this instance, Elworth and Synhorst are filling vacancies resulting from resignations in their respective districts. Elworth’s term will expire in May of 2027. Synhorst’s term will expire in May of 2029.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Comments on Baby Safely Surrendered Under Nebraska’s Expanded Safe Haven Law

LINCOLN, NE -- Governor Jim Pillen, a champion of pro-life issues, released the following statement after a baby in the northwest part of the state was surrendered under Nebraska’s expanded safe haven law. 

“We’ve got to do everything we can to protect babies, and we have to step up to help moms in need. We took action and expanded Nebraska’s safe haven law to help babies that are vulnerable and ensure their safety. It’s not just that Nebraskans are pro-life, we’re pro-baby — which means being here to help babies and moms who are in tough situations.”

In 2024, Gov. Pillen signed a law that extended the age a baby can be surrendered from 30 to 90 days, allowing the infant to be left with employees at a hospital licensed by the State of Nebraska, a staffed fire station, a staffed law enforcement agency, or an emergency care provider. 

Individuals are protected from prosecution for any crime based solely on the act of surrendering a baby under the law.

Earlier this year, an infant, the first under the expanded safe haven law, was surrendered in northeast Nebraska.

CONTACT:

Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495

Gov. Pillen Signs First-In-Nation Digital Asset Bank Charter

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen, joined by Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance (NDBF) Director Kelly Lammers, issued a charter to Telcoin Digital Asset Bank to operate a digital asset depository institution in Nebraska. This new charter for a digital asset bank is the first of its kind in the United States.

“With this first-in-the-nation approach, Nebraska is leading a new era of digital payments by issuing a charter to a digital asset bank that can 'mint' stablecoins,” said Governor Jim Pillen. “Our message to the industry is simple: Nebraska is open for your business.”

“This special purpose bank is designed under Nebraska law to ensure the payment is always good,” said NDBF Director Kelly Lammers.  “The funds backing each stablecoin are predominantly U.S. government bonds or deposits in FDIC-insured Nebraska banks. We appreciate Governor Pillen’s support in pioneering a new type of bank for Nebraskans.”

“We’re very thankful to Governor Pillen, Congressman Flood, Director Lammers and his team for having the vision to see that this is about more than cryptocurrency. It’s about the technology of money, payments, and banking – financial technology innovation right here in Nebraska,” said Paul Neuner, founder and chief executive officer of Telcoin. “This charter is a milestone in the history of banking, but it also demonstrates that rural communities can play a part in emerging technologies – Norfolk, Nebraska can be at the center of the internet of money.”

For Nebraskans, stablecoins – a version of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a steady value – may soon be another payment option alongside checks, debit cards, and digital wallets. 

Telcoin’s Digital Asset Banks charter under the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act will allow them to operate a stablecoin and digital asset business within the regulated financial industries of Nebraska, bringing together financial innovation and banking.

By effectively and efficiently regulating chartered digital asset entities such as Telcoin Digital Asset Bank, the NDBF will help ensure that Nebraska remains at the forefront of financial innovation and supervise all chartered digital asset entities to ensure they operate in a safe and sound manner.

Nebraska has been a leader in developing a regulatory framework for digital assets. On May 26, 2021, the Nebraska Financial Innovation Act was signed into law and became effective on October 1, 2021. It was championed by Mike Flood, now-U.S. Representative for Nebraska’s 1st District.