LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen hosted a news conference and bill signing for LB168,&nbsp;the&nbsp;340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act. Calling the bill a critical part of healthcare, especially for hospitals in rural communities, Gov. Pillen expressed his appreciation for the work of senators, hospitals and others to get the legislation to his desk.&nbsp;

LB168, introduced by Senator Brian Hardin, protects the savings created by the 340B program. Passed Congress in 1992, the program was later expanded to cover additional entities. Under 340B, drug manufacturers that participate in Medicaid, sell certain outpatient drugs at discounted prices to health care providers like hospitals, clinics and federally qualified health centers – places that often care for uninsured and underinsured patients. During COVID, drug manufacturers not only disallowed discounts for medications, but they also imposed burdensome requirements, which are now prohibited through passage of the&nbsp;340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act.&nbsp;

“This is really important legislation that allows our hospitals – from the biggest to the smallest – to provide the services Nebraskans depend on,” said Gov. Pillen. “The savings from the 340B program have been a critical part of how our hospitals operate and ensures that our patients are getting great care.”&nbsp;

Sen. Hardin emphasized that without legislation securing the savings from drug costs, hospitals – both rural and urban – as well as their patients, would suffer, including his own hospital in Scottsbluff.&nbsp;

“In fact, the hospitals that are most vulnerable -- probably a dozen and a half of the 58 critical access hospitals that participate in 340B -- may not see it through another year if they don’t get that help because they operate at a 1.4% margin,” noted Sen. Hardin. “’I’m very thankful for everyone who has stepped forward to make sure this moves ahead. Thanks to all my fellow senators who saw this need.”

Olivia Little, who directs the 340B program for Johnson County Hospital, explained in detail how the program has been a benefit to her hospital system and its associated clinics.

“Our hospitals rely heavily on the 340B program to fund services that operate at a loss, like our home health program and our EMS program. While these services operate at a loss, they are vital to patients and community members caring for their loved ones.”

Tyler Toline, president and CEO of Franciscan Healthcare in West Point noted that his healthcare system had similar challenges.&nbsp;

“We have a home health and hospice that loses many hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. We have a nursing home and an assisted living facility that are in that same boat. When you look at the dollars that we get out of the 340B program, it allows us to keep these operations and services going, which are vital to the success of our communities.”

“Without those rural, critical care hospitals, we are going to lose population,” added Senator Mike Jacobsen, chairman of the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee, which heard and advanced the bill for debate.

“This is another step forward in trying to preserve the hospitals that are there, so they can remain open and continue to serve Medicare and Medicaid patients, which is where a lot of these dollars go.”&nbsp;

“Staff members at our hospitals do amazing work, and I’m proud to sign this bill into law to help their efforts,” said Gov. Pillen. “This legislation will make a great deal of difference for our critical access and rural hospitals going forward.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744291008537.jpeg" alt="Governor Pillen Flanked by Senator Mike Jacobson (Left) and Senator Brian Hardin (Right) Showing the Signed Bill (Courtesy)" />
 <figcaption>Governor Pillen Flanked by Senator Mike Jacobson (Left) and Senator Brian Hardin (Right) Showing the Signed Bill (Courtesy)</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen hosted a news conference and bill signing for LB168,&nbsp;the&nbsp;340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act. Calling the bill a critical part of healthcare, especially for hospitals in rural communities, Gov. Pillen expressed his appreciation for the work of senators, hospitals and others to get the legislation to his desk.&nbsp;LB168, introduced by Senator Brian Hardin, protects the savings created by the 340B program. Passed Congress in 1992, the program was later expanded to cover additional entities. Under 340B, drug manufacturers that participate in Medicaid, sell certain outpatient drugs at discounted prices to health care providers like hospitals, clinics and federally qualified health centers – places that often care for uninsured and underinsured patients. During COVID, drug manufacturers not only disallowed discounts for medications, but they also imposed burdensome requirements, which are now prohibited through passage of the&nbsp;340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act.&nbsp;“This is really important legislation that allows our hospitals – from the biggest to the smallest – to provide the services Nebraskans depend on,” said Gov. Pillen. “The savings from the 340B program have been a critical part of how our hospitals operate and ensures that our patients are getting great care.”&nbsp;Sen. Hardin emphasized that without legislation securing the savings from drug costs, hospitals – both rural and urban – as well as their patients, would suffer, including his own hospital in Scottsbluff.&nbsp;“In fact, the hospitals that are most vulnerable -- probably a dozen and a half of the 58 critical access hospitals that participate in 340B -- may not see it through another year if they don’t get that help because they operate at a 1.4% margin,” noted Sen. Hardin. “’I’m very thankful for everyone who has stepped forward to make sure this moves ahead. Thanks to all my fellow senators who saw this need.”Olivia Little, who directs the 340B program for Johnson County Hospital, explained in detail how the program has been a benefit to her hospital system and its associated clinics.“Our hospitals rely heavily on the 340B program to fund services that operate at a loss, like our home health program and our EMS program. While these services operate at a loss, they are vital to patients and community members caring for their loved ones.”Tyler Toline, president and CEO of Franciscan Healthcare in West Point noted that his healthcare system had similar challenges.&nbsp;“We have a home health and hospice that loses many hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. We have a nursing home and an assisted living facility that are in that same boat. When you look at the dollars that we get out of the 340B program, it allows us to keep these operations and services going, which are vital to the success of our communities.”“Without those rural, critical care hospitals, we are going to lose population,” added Senator Mike Jacobsen, chairman of the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee, which heard and advanced the bill for debate.“This is another step forward in trying to preserve the hospitals that are there, so they can remain open and continue to serve Medicare and Medicaid patients, which is where a lot of these dollars go.”&nbsp;“Staff members at our hospitals do amazing work, and I’m proud to sign this bill into law to help their efforts,” said Gov. Pillen. “This legislation will make a great deal of difference for our critical access and rural hospitals going forward.”

Gov. Pillen Holds Bill Signing on the 340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will pause his sweeping tariffs for 90 days on countries willing to negotiate new trade deals but will not relent on China, according to a post Wednesday on his social media platform.

Stocks surged upon his announcement after days of wrecked markets erased trillions of dollars from investors. The Nasdaq saw the biggest single-day hike in five years as of Wednesday afternoon, according to financial media.

The pause will not extend to China, which he announced will see a further hike to 125% on imports to the U.S. “effective immediately,” he said.

“At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“Conversely, and based on the fact that more than 75 Countries have called Representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR, to negotiate a solution to the subjects being discussed relative to Trade, Trade Barriers, Tariffs, Currency Manipulation, and Non Monetary Tariffs, and that these Countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States, I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately,” Trump continued.

The tariffs, which the administration maintains are “reciprocal,” went into effect just after midnight Wednesday.

The announcement came just hours after the president posted on social media “BE COOL!” and “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT.”

Trump’s sudden pause also came hours after U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/nervous-senators-both-parties-press-trump-trade-rep-tariffs-high-104" target="_blank">defended</a>&nbsp;the steep tariffs before nervous lawmakers on Capitol Hill for the second day in a row.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for a list of countries whose tariff rates will drop to a universal baseline of 10%.

Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” announcement sent shock waves through the economy after he unveiled import taxes on trading partners and allies, some as high as 46% as in the case of Vietnam, a major tech exporter to the U.S.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters outside the White House Wednesday that the tariffs were “a successful negotiating strategy.”

“As I told everyone a week ago in this very spot, do not retaliate, and you will be rewarded,” Bessent said.

The administration met with Vietnamese officials Wednesday, according to Bessent, and meetings with Japan, South Korea and India are expected shortly, though he didn’t provide details.

When asked by reporters if Trump’s tariff policy was mainly now focused on China, Bessent said “it’s about bad actors” but added that China “is the biggest source of the U.S. trade problems.”

The trade war — though Bessent said he is “not calling it a trade war” — between the U.S. and China expanded rapidly overnight Wednesday when Chinese officials raised levies on U.S. goods to 84%.

“The US’s practice of escalating tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake, which seriously infringes on China’s legitimate rights and interests and seriously damages the rules-based multilateral trading system,” according to a translation of a&nbsp;<a href="https://gss.mof.gov.cn/gzdt/zhengcefabu/202504/t20250409_3961684.htm" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;Wednesday from the country’s State Council Tariff Commission.

Bessent did not answer shouted questions about whether the European Union would see a 90-day reprieve from Trump’s 20% tax on EU imports.

The European bloc of 27 nations approved new tariffs on a range of American goods Wednesday in retaliation to an earlier round of levies that Trump imposed.

EU lawmakers did not yet publish a final list of the U.S. products it targeted Wednesday.

The EU import taxes are set to begin April 15 and are in response to Trump’s “unjustified and damaging” 25% tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum that went into effect in mid-March, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_25_1025" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;from the European Commission.

“These countermeasures can be suspended at any time, should the US agree to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome,” the statement continued.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744061043393.png" alt="&nbsp;President Trump during an Oval Office meeting on Tuesday- White. House photo" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;President Trump during an Oval Office meeting on Tuesday- White. House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ashley-murray/">ASHLEY MURRAY</a>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will pause his sweeping tariffs for 90 days on countries willing to negotiate new trade deals but will not relent on China, according to a post Wednesday on his social media platform.Stocks surged upon his announcement after days of wrecked markets erased trillions of dollars from investors. The Nasdaq saw the biggest single-day hike in five years as of Wednesday afternoon, according to financial media.The pause will not extend to China, which he announced will see a further hike to 125% on imports to the U.S. “effective immediately,” he said.“At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable,” Trump posted on Truth Social.“Conversely, and based on the fact that more than 75 Countries have called Representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR, to negotiate a solution to the subjects being discussed relative to Trade, Trade Barriers, Tariffs, Currency Manipulation, and Non Monetary Tariffs, and that these Countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States, I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately,” Trump continued.The tariffs, which the administration maintains are “reciprocal,” went into effect just after midnight Wednesday.The announcement came just hours after the president posted on social media “BE COOL!” and “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT.”Trump’s sudden pause also came hours after U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/nervous-senators-both-parties-press-trump-trade-rep-tariffs-high-104" target="_blank">defended</a>&nbsp;the steep tariffs before nervous lawmakers on Capitol Hill for the second day in a row.The White House did not immediately respond to a request for a list of countries whose tariff rates will drop to a universal baseline of 10%.<h2>A rollercoaster few days</h2>Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” announcement sent shock waves through the economy after he unveiled import taxes on trading partners and allies, some as high as 46% as in the case of Vietnam, a major tech exporter to the U.S.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters outside the White House Wednesday that the tariffs were “a successful negotiating strategy.”“As I told everyone a week ago in this very spot, do not retaliate, and you will be rewarded,” Bessent said.The administration met with Vietnamese officials Wednesday, according to Bessent, and meetings with Japan, South Korea and India are expected shortly, though he didn’t provide details.When asked by reporters if Trump’s tariff policy was mainly now focused on China, Bessent said “it’s about bad actors” but added that China “is the biggest source of the U.S. trade problems.”The trade war — though Bessent said he is “not calling it a trade war” — between the U.S. and China expanded rapidly overnight Wednesday when Chinese officials raised levies on U.S. goods to 84%.“The US’s practice of escalating tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake, which seriously infringes on China’s legitimate rights and interests and seriously damages the rules-based multilateral trading system,” according to a translation of a&nbsp;<a href="https://gss.mof.gov.cn/gzdt/zhengcefabu/202504/t20250409_3961684.htm" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;Wednesday from the country’s State Council Tariff Commission.<h2>European Union</h2>Bessent did not answer shouted questions about whether the European Union would see a 90-day reprieve from Trump’s 20% tax on EU imports.The European bloc of 27 nations approved new tariffs on a range of American goods Wednesday in retaliation to an earlier round of levies that Trump imposed.EU lawmakers did not yet publish a final list of the U.S. products it targeted Wednesday.The EU import taxes are set to begin April 15 and are in response to Trump’s “unjustified and damaging” 25% tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum that went into effect in mid-March, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_25_1025" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;from the European Commission.“These countermeasures can be suspended at any time, should the US agree to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome,” the statement continued.

Trump sets 90-day pause on many tariffs, hikes China to 125%

Lincoln, April 9, 2025- The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) reminds consumers served by Black Hills Energy’s&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/natural-gas/consumer-choice-program" target="_blank">Choice Gas Program</a>, the time to choose a supplier is underway. The selection period for residential/commercial choice customers in the Black Hills area runs through April 23.The Choice Gas Program administered by Black Hills Energy allows residential, commercial, and ag customers residing in certain areas of the state to choose a third-party supplier to provide their natural gas.

“It’s important to remember the selection period only applies to those customers served by the Choice Gas Program,” said Nichole Mulcahy, Director, PSC Natural Gas Department. “Consumers in the areas served by the program, should have received information from suppliers to help them make an informed choice on which company they would like to provide them natural gas.”

Choosing a supplier could result in the consumer seeing a benefit by receiving a lower price fortheir natural gas. Those customers who don’t make a selection, are assigned a default supplierand rate, which could result in paying more.

Information for Nebraska Choice Gas customers including a list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/sites/blackhillsenergy.com/files/files/CGNECities.pdf" target="_blank">Nebraska towns participating in the Choice Gas Program</a>&nbsp;can be found on the Black Hills Energy website &lt;<a href="https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/services/choice-gas-program/nebraska-choice-gas-customers" target="_blank">https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/services/choice-gas-program/nebraska-choice-gas-customers</a>&gt;. Additional information can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/natural-gas/consumer-choice-program" target="_blank">Choice Gas Program</a>&nbsp;page of the PSC website.

Director Mulcahy said, “We encourage eligible consumers to take the time to review theiroptions and make an informed choice before the April 23 deadline.”

Consumers with questions regarding the Nebraska Consumer Choice Gas Program are encouraged to contact Black Hills Energy at 1-877-245-3506

Lincoln, April 9, 2025- The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) reminds consumers served by Black Hills Energy’s&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/natural-gas/consumer-choice-program" target="_blank">Choice Gas Program</a>, the time to choose a supplier is underway. The selection period for residential/commercial choice customers in the Black Hills area runs through April 23.The Choice Gas Program administered by Black Hills Energy allows residential, commercial, and ag customers residing in certain areas of the state to choose a third-party supplier to provide their natural gas.“It’s important to remember the selection period only applies to those customers served by the Choice Gas Program,” said Nichole Mulcahy, Director, PSC Natural Gas Department. “Consumers in the areas served by the program, should have received information from suppliers to help them make an informed choice on which company they would like to provide them natural gas.”Choosing a supplier could result in the consumer seeing a benefit by receiving a lower price fortheir natural gas. Those customers who don’t make a selection, are assigned a default supplierand rate, which could result in paying more.Information for Nebraska Choice Gas customers including a list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/sites/blackhillsenergy.com/files/files/CGNECities.pdf" target="_blank">Nebraska towns participating in the Choice Gas Program</a>&nbsp;can be found on the Black Hills Energy website &lt;<a href="https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/services/choice-gas-program/nebraska-choice-gas-customers" target="_blank">https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/services/choice-gas-program/nebraska-choice-gas-customers</a>&gt;. Additional information can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/natural-gas/consumer-choice-program" target="_blank">Choice Gas Program</a>&nbsp;page of the PSC website.Director Mulcahy said, “We encourage eligible consumers to take the time to review theiroptions and make an informed choice before the April 23 deadline.”Consumers with questions regarding the Nebraska Consumer Choice Gas Program are encouraged to contact Black Hills Energy at 1-877-245-3506

Selection Period Underway for Choice Gas Customers

LINCOLN – Attorney General Mike Hilgers hosted 52 students at the Nebraska State Capitol for this year’s 2025 Attorney General's Youth Conference.

High school juniors and seniors from across the state were invited to the Youth Conference. Students submitted essays about the U.S. Constitution to be accepted to the conference.

Joining Attorney General Hilgers in addressing the students were Governor Jim Pillen, Senator Beau Ballard, and Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Jason Bergevin. Additionally, students engaged with Chiefs of several different bureaus in the Nebraska Attorney General's Office and members of the Solicitor General team.

"We had another great year with young Nebraskans from across the state, who came together for a jammed-packed day filled with learning and growth opportunities. I am excited to see how the futures of these energetic, conscientious, and bright Nebraskans unfold,” stated Attorney General Mike Hilgers.

Students joined together in the Warner Legislative Chamber, where they had the opportunity to debate a bill on social media use. They spent the day immersed in various topics related to government, law, and consumer protection issues.

LINCOLN – Attorney General Mike Hilgers hosted 52 students at the Nebraska State Capitol for this year’s 2025 Attorney General's Youth Conference.High school juniors and seniors from across the state were invited to the Youth Conference. Students submitted essays about the U.S. Constitution to be accepted to the conference.Joining Attorney General Hilgers in addressing the students were Governor Jim Pillen, Senator Beau Ballard, and Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Jason Bergevin. Additionally, students engaged with Chiefs of several different bureaus in the Nebraska Attorney General's Office and members of the Solicitor General team."We had another great year with young Nebraskans from across the state, who came together for a jammed-packed day filled with learning and growth opportunities. I am excited to see how the futures of these energetic, conscientious, and bright Nebraskans unfold,” stated Attorney General Mike Hilgers.Students joined together in the Warner Legislative Chamber, where they had the opportunity to debate a bill on social media use. They spent the day immersed in various topics related to government, law, and consumer protection issues.

Attorney General Hilgers Hosts 2025 Youth Conference

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/04/08/state-auditor-details-disturbing-spending-within-nonprofit-serving-nebraskans-with-disabilities/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A plane ticket for a “romantic” partner and other “suspected improprieties” have turned the State Auditor’s spotlight on a small, publicly-funded nonprofit whose board is appointed by the governor and whose mission is to support Nebraskans with disabilities.

A new auditor probe of the Nebraska Statewide Independent Living Council points to alleged “malfeasance” by the former executive director, Don Dew — though Dew and the council’s former treasurer insist that the spending was board-approved.

Both have resigned, and assert that certain board members stirred trouble for Dew in part because he is gay.

The new board chairwoman dismissed that as nonsense and said State Auditor Mike Foley was summoned after Dew did not produce requested records to support spending.&nbsp;

Both sides agree on at least one thing. They said the gubernatorial-led process by which the board’s appointments are made has been slow-going — and they believe an undersized governing board with too many unfilled slots contributed to problems.

The board is authorized for 15 voting members and five non-voting members, which represent various state agencies and service providers, according to the auditor’s report. For several years, current and past members said, the organization has operated with two or three voting members&nbsp;and several non-voting members.

Currently, the council has two regularly voting board members “with a third that is used under certain circumstances,” and 10 nonvoting members mostly representing independent living organizations, said&nbsp;Jody Faltys, who returned to the board in late in 2024 and is now chair.

Phil Olsen, state accounting administrator under Gov. Jim Pillen, said the minimum requirement under law is three voting board members but that he foresees others being appointed soon. He said the council has seen turnover with members uneasy under Dew’s financial leadership.

Based in Lancaster County, the Nebraska Statewide Independent Living Council (NESILC) is funded primarily with federal dollars from the Independent Living Administration.

Established in 2001, the public benefit nonprofit corporation has a mission to, in partnership with the Independent Living Network, promote independence, inclusion, non-discrimination and dignity for all people with disabilities in Nebraska.

States are required to establish and maintain such independent and statewide councils, according to the auditor’s report, to be eligible for financial assistance authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that was further amended under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.

State leaders said a federal grant of about $340,000 is divided between the council and two Centers for Independent Living, which are the League of Human Dignity and Independence Rising.

Faltys said interest in joining the council board had waned, and she hopes that will improve.

“It’s all about checks and balances, and what we need is to get those guard rails as strong as they can be to make us as strong as we can be,” Faltys said.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nesilc.org/" target="_blank">Statewide Independent Living Council</a>, with an annual budget of about $115,000, is a small but vital organization whose existence is required by law to unlock federal funds that help Nebraskans with disabilities live independently.

It came under auditor scrutiny after board members reported possible financial improprieties. Findings are&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2025/NP17-03312025-March_31_2025_Nebraska_Statewide_Independent_Living_Council_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">laid out in a 25-page report</a>, which included recommendations to improve internal controls. The report was made public last week and addressed to Faltys.&nbsp;

Any further investigation lies with the FBI, Lancaster County Attorney and Nebraska Attorney General, which got copies of the report from Foley’s office.

Foley, in a statement, focused on $9,466 in what his team called “suspected improprieties” by Dew over a three-year period: $2,043 in alleged excess pay to himself; $6,750 in health insurance reimbursements that lacked documentation, and a $672 plane ticket for his partner to a work-related conference.

While better late than never, some of this could have been avoided had the NESILC board taken its oversight responsibilities more seriously from the start.

“At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I can’t emphasize this enough: Allowing someone to exercise anything close to exclusive control over an organization’s finances with no meaningful oversight is begging for serious trouble,” Foley wrote.&nbsp;

He said the audit team noted the council’s lack of policies and procedures for safeguarding funds and said leaders appear to be taking corrective measures.&nbsp;

Olsen said he, representing the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services, took over in 2024 as the designated state conduit responsible for receiving and disbursing funds to the council from the federal government. He said he raised a red flag after he started attending the council’s quarterly meetings and noticed a lack of bank statements, credit card and expense approvals.

Faltys saw the audit as confirming&nbsp; “what we saw.”

Said Foley: “While better late than never, some of this could have been avoided had the NESILC board taken its oversight responsibilities more seriously from the start.”

In a response included in the auditor’s report, the council recapped what led to this point. Its current leader said a COVID-19-related shutdown led to heavy change in the organization — as its only executive director up to that point retired.

Dew, a former board chair, then was hired and held the position three years until his resignation effective at the close of 2024. The audit said his salary was $26,168.

The council wrote that Dew “didn’t live up to the high standards” set by his predecessor.

“With board members leaving, with policies and procedures not being applied rigorously, it soon became clear that the future of NESILC was a turning point,” stated the council.&nbsp;

The council wrote that it was disappointed in its own lack of oversight and was “wiping the slate clean and refocusing on our mission.”

Dew, with a completely different take, was angry at the allegations. He said the auditor’s team didn’t ask him for his version of what happened.&nbsp;

He said he had filed his own complaint with the Nebraska Attorney General after a board member removed what he said were confidential files from a storage area.&nbsp;

Dew said he is working with an attorney and considering legal action as he feels his name should be cleared.

“Everything had been approved,” he told the Nebraska Examiner, calling the probe incomplete. “It’s in a budget or through an executive committee meeting, so there’s no way that they can say I did (anything) without approval.”

Deanna Henke, treasurer of the council’s board during much of the alleged misuse of funds, backed Dew.

She said the board approved the airline ticket in the spring of 2024 for Dew’s partner who, she and Dew said, served as a personal attendant. Dew said he has epilepsy, controlled by medication, and other disabilities. At the time of the conference, Dew said he was suffering from several broken ribs.

It was not a sightseeing trip. He wasn’t gallivanting around town in Little Rock, Arkansas.

– Deanna Henke, former treasurer of the NESILC

Henke said Dew was mandated to attend the work conference, which she said he helped lead. “If they require a personal attendant due to their disability, then we pay … not only for Don to go, but for his assistant.”&nbsp;

She said “it’s been that way for years,” and added “it was not a sightseeing trip. He wasn’t gallivanting around town in Little Rock, Arkansas.”

According to Foley’s press release, council representatives informed the audit team that the ticket was for a man with whom Dew had romantic and business relationships. The representatives said the man is “neither an employee nor in any way affiliated with the organization.”

Said Henke: “Don being a gay man, they’ve had a target on his back ever since he became executive director.”

Faltys said she saw no pre-approval records and called the ticket the “final straw that broke the camel’s back.” She added, “There were no receipts. There were no minutes for meetings.”

Noted in the audit were 98 “questionable” credit card transactions, besides the airline ticket, that totaled about $8,400, including for a Dropbox account, business vendors and Jimmy John’s restaurant. The report said Dew controlled the card.

“Board members were not aware of, nor did they approve, most of these payments,” the auditing team said.

In addition, the auditing team said it could not locate adequate documentation to substantiate board approval of 17 payments totaling $47,580 over three years for apparent reimbursements or other payments unrelated to wages, including health insurance stipends, retirement contributions and bonuses.

Deputy State Auditor Craig Kubicek said in an interview that the team didn’t speak directly to Dew, but its findings were based on records available at the time.

“We look at facts, we look at documentation, we look at compliance,” Kubicek said.

He said Dew concurrently served as executive director of a separate organization in Iowa also dedicated to people with disabilities, and that Dew declined the Nebraska auditor team access to the Iowa payroll records. Based on that, Kubicek said his team figured it would get nowhere if it asked Dew for input on the Nebraska review, so it didn’t.

Meanwhile, Faltys said she is effectively acting also as executive director and pushing to add more voting board members.&nbsp;

Herself a quadriplegic, she said the organization is more important than most understand. It works with state partners to develop Nebraska’s three-year plan for independent living and community based services. It supports research, education and reforms related to disability issues.

Without it, advocates said, certain federal funding could not flow to groups such as the League of Human Dignity and Independence Rising. Faltys said the availability of the services and accountability of the organization should matter to all.&nbsp;

“Everyone is a moment away from being disabled,” Faltys said. “You could have a stroke, a car accident, these are issues vital to everyone.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744213180581.jpeg" alt="The Nebraska State Auditor’s Office is located in the State Capitol. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The Nebraska State Auditor’s Office is located in the State Capitol. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/04/08/state-auditor-details-disturbing-spending-within-nonprofit-serving-nebraskans-with-disabilities/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A plane ticket for a “romantic” partner and other “suspected improprieties” have turned the State Auditor’s spotlight on a small, publicly-funded nonprofit whose board is appointed by the governor and whose mission is to support Nebraskans with disabilities.A new auditor probe of the Nebraska Statewide Independent Living Council points to alleged “malfeasance” by the former executive director, Don Dew — though Dew and the council’s former treasurer insist that the spending was board-approved.Both have resigned, and assert that certain board members stirred trouble for Dew in part because he is gay.The new board chairwoman dismissed that as nonsense and said State Auditor Mike Foley was summoned after Dew did not produce requested records to support spending.&nbsp;Both sides agree on at least one thing. They said the gubernatorial-led process by which the board’s appointments are made has been slow-going — and they believe an undersized governing board with too many unfilled slots contributed to problems.<h2>Report goes to FBI, law enforcement</h2>The board is authorized for 15 voting members and five non-voting members, which represent various state agencies and service providers, according to the auditor’s report. For several years, current and past members said, the organization has operated with two or three voting members&nbsp;and several non-voting members.Currently, the council has two regularly voting board members “with a third that is used under certain circumstances,” and 10 nonvoting members mostly representing independent living organizations, said&nbsp;Jody Faltys, who returned to the board in late in 2024 and is now chair.Phil Olsen, state accounting administrator under Gov. Jim Pillen, said the minimum requirement under law is three voting board members but that he foresees others being appointed soon. He said the council has seen turnover with members uneasy under Dew’s financial leadership.<h2>What is NESILC?</h2>Based in Lancaster County, the Nebraska Statewide Independent Living Council (NESILC) is funded primarily with federal dollars from the Independent Living Administration.Established in 2001, the public benefit nonprofit corporation has a mission to, in partnership with the Independent Living Network, promote independence, inclusion, non-discrimination and dignity for all people with disabilities in Nebraska.States are required to establish and maintain such independent and statewide councils, according to the auditor’s report, to be eligible for financial assistance authorized under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that was further amended under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.State leaders said a federal grant of about $340,000 is divided between the council and two Centers for Independent Living, which are the League of Human Dignity and Independence Rising.Faltys said interest in joining the council board had waned, and she hopes that will improve.“It’s all about checks and balances, and what we need is to get those guard rails as strong as they can be to make us as strong as we can be,” Faltys said.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nesilc.org/" target="_blank">Statewide Independent Living Council</a>, with an annual budget of about $115,000, is a small but vital organization whose existence is required by law to unlock federal funds that help Nebraskans with disabilities live independently.It came under auditor scrutiny after board members reported possible financial improprieties. Findings are&nbsp;<a href="https://auditors.nebraska.gov/APA_Reports/2025/NP17-03312025-March_31_2025_Nebraska_Statewide_Independent_Living_Council_Letter.pdf" target="_blank">laid out in a 25-page report</a>, which included recommendations to improve internal controls. The report was made public last week and addressed to Faltys.&nbsp;Any further investigation lies with the FBI, Lancaster County Attorney and Nebraska Attorney General, which got copies of the report from Foley’s office.<h2>Plane ticket questioned</h2>Foley, in a statement, focused on $9,466 in what his team called “suspected improprieties” by Dew over a three-year period: $2,043 in alleged excess pay to himself; $6,750 in health insurance reimbursements that lacked documentation, and a $672 plane ticket for his partner to a work-related conference.While better late than never, some of this could have been avoided had the NESILC board taken its oversight responsibilities more seriously from the start.– State Auditor Mike Foley“At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I can’t emphasize this enough: Allowing someone to exercise anything close to exclusive control over an organization’s finances with no meaningful oversight is begging for serious trouble,” Foley wrote.&nbsp;He said the audit team noted the council’s lack of policies and procedures for safeguarding funds and said leaders appear to be taking corrective measures.&nbsp;Olsen said he, representing the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services, took over in 2024 as the designated state conduit responsible for receiving and disbursing funds to the council from the federal government. He said he raised a red flag after he started attending the council’s quarterly meetings and noticed a lack of bank statements, credit card and expense approvals.Faltys saw the audit as confirming&nbsp; “what we saw.”Said Foley: “While better late than never, some of this could have been avoided had the NESILC board taken its oversight responsibilities more seriously from the start.”<h2>COVID-19 was turning point</h2>In a response included in the auditor’s report, the council recapped what led to this point. Its current leader said a COVID-19-related shutdown led to heavy change in the organization — as its only executive director up to that point retired.Dew, a former board chair, then was hired and held the position three years until his resignation effective at the close of 2024. The audit said his salary was $26,168.The council wrote that Dew “didn’t live up to the high standards” set by his predecessor.“With board members leaving, with policies and procedures not being applied rigorously, it soon became clear that the future of NESILC was a turning point,” stated the council.&nbsp;The council wrote that it was disappointed in its own lack of oversight and was “wiping the slate clean and refocusing on our mission.”<h2>Clearing name&nbsp;</h2>Dew, with a completely different take, was angry at the allegations. He said the auditor’s team didn’t ask him for his version of what happened.&nbsp;He said he had filed his own complaint with the Nebraska Attorney General after a board member removed what he said were confidential files from a storage area.&nbsp;Dew said he is working with an attorney and considering legal action as he feels his name should be cleared.“Everything had been approved,” he told the Nebraska Examiner, calling the probe incomplete. “It’s in a budget or through an executive committee meeting, so there’s no way that they can say I did (anything) without approval.”Deanna Henke, treasurer of the council’s board during much of the alleged misuse of funds, backed Dew.She said the board approved the airline ticket in the spring of 2024 for Dew’s partner who, she and Dew said, served as a personal attendant. Dew said he has epilepsy, controlled by medication, and other disabilities. At the time of the conference, Dew said he was suffering from several broken ribs.It was not a sightseeing trip. He wasn’t gallivanting around town in Little Rock, Arkansas.– Deanna Henke, former treasurer of the NESILCHenke said Dew was mandated to attend the work conference, which she said he helped lead. “If they require a personal attendant due to their disability, then we pay … not only for Don to go, but for his assistant.”&nbsp;She said “it’s been that way for years,” and added “it was not a sightseeing trip. He wasn’t gallivanting around town in Little Rock, Arkansas.”<h2>‘Target on his back’</h2>According to Foley’s press release, council representatives informed the audit team that the ticket was for a man with whom Dew had romantic and business relationships. The representatives said the man is “neither an employee nor in any way affiliated with the organization.”Said Henke: “Don being a gay man, they’ve had a target on his back ever since he became executive director.”Faltys said she saw no pre-approval records and called the ticket the “final straw that broke the camel’s back.” She added, “There were no receipts. There were no minutes for meetings.”Noted in the audit were 98 “questionable” credit card transactions, besides the airline ticket, that totaled about $8,400, including for a Dropbox account, business vendors and Jimmy John’s restaurant. The report said Dew controlled the card.“Board members were not aware of, nor did they approve, most of these payments,” the auditing team said.In addition, the auditing team said it could not locate adequate documentation to substantiate board approval of 17 payments totaling $47,580 over three years for apparent reimbursements or other payments unrelated to wages, including health insurance stipends, retirement contributions and bonuses.<h2>‘Look at facts’&nbsp;</h2>Deputy State Auditor Craig Kubicek said in an interview that the team didn’t speak directly to Dew, but its findings were based on records available at the time.“We look at facts, we look at documentation, we look at compliance,” Kubicek said.He said Dew concurrently served as executive director of a separate organization in Iowa also dedicated to people with disabilities, and that Dew declined the Nebraska auditor team access to the Iowa payroll records. Based on that, Kubicek said his team figured it would get nowhere if it asked Dew for input on the Nebraska review, so it didn’t.Meanwhile, Faltys said she is effectively acting also as executive director and pushing to add more voting board members.&nbsp;Herself a quadriplegic, she said the organization is more important than most understand. It works with state partners to develop Nebraska’s three-year plan for independent living and community based services. It supports research, education and reforms related to disability issues.Without it, advocates said, certain federal funding could not flow to groups such as the League of Human Dignity and Independence Rising. Faltys said the availability of the services and accountability of the organization should matter to all.&nbsp;“Everyone is a moment away from being disabled,” Faltys said. “You could have a stroke, a car accident, these are issues vital to everyone.”

State auditor details ‘disturbing’ spending within nonprofit serving Nebraskans with disabilities

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/04/08/winner-take-all-bill-stalls-in-nebraska-legislature-a-blow-to-governor/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature killed a bill seeking to alter how the state awards Electoral College votes for president after Republicans in the officially nonpartisan body failed to secure enough votes to overcome a four-hour filibuster.

Tuesday was Gov. Jim Pillen’s latest failed attempt in two years to pressure the Legislature to change the state’s system of awarding electoral votes since the resurgence of a decades-old fight after President Donald Trump and campaign surrogates expressed support for the change during his 2024 campaign, which some pundits thought might come down to the results in Nebraska’s Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District.

Pillen’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/07/nebraska-lawmakers-respond-to-gov-jim-pillens-pressure-on-winner-take-all/">political future</a>&nbsp;with Trump is unclear after failing to deliver winner-take-all.&nbsp;

The major Trump donor Pillen beat in the Republican primary for governor, Charles Herbster, is considering challenging Pillen in the 2026 GOP gubernatorial primary. Some in Pillen’s orbit have argued they need to make the electoral change to help keep Trump from potentially endorsing Herbster again. The president backed Herbster in 2022. He was one of the first major Trump-backed candidates nationally to lose a GOP primary.

“I am deeply disappointed that a minority of the Legislature defeated the will of the majority of their colleagues and, more importantly, the majority of Nebraskans by filibustering winner-take-all,” Pillen said in a statement after the vote.

State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City lacked the 33 votes needed to overcome the filibuster and advance his bill, which echoed what Lippincott told the Nebraska Examiner on Monday — that he didn’t have the votes for LB 3. The measure secured 31 votes for cloture.

“The argument for returning the winner-take-all system isn’t rooted in partisanship. It’s about ensuring that Nebraska’s electoral process aligns with the national framework and guarantees that every vote truly matters,” Lippincott said on the floor, introducing his bill.

Pillen had&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TeamPillen/status/1908559003346755940" target="_blank">argued in a post on X</a>&nbsp;Thursday that Republicans, holding 33 of the state’s 49 seats in its one-house Legislature, should be able to come together and pass winner-take-all.

One of the loudest GOP holdouts was State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston. Trump had called Riepe in 2024, when the then-presidential candidate was trying to convince senators to support Pillen’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/04/window-closing-on-backup-plans-for-winner-take-all-in-nebraska/">11th-hour push</a>&nbsp;for winner-take-all in a possible special session the governor had discussed calling.

This time, Pillen tried to pressure Riepe in public, calling him out by name in a statement and saying that all Unicameral Republicans need to “stand together as a team.”&nbsp;While the pressure tactic worked on the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee, which advanced the bill to the floor for debate after his push, it did not move Riepe.

“Winner-takes-all is not a 2025 issue. It’s an issue for 2028,” Riepe said.

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb, had also weighed in today with his own&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/petericketts/status/1909604361346424834?s=46&amp;t=B4v5xSml401BbJ1-tGAokQ" target="_blank">statement of support for shifting to winner-take-all on X</a>.

“I urge the Unicameral to let Nebraskaians speak with a united voice by electing a President who will represent our entire state. Passing winner-take-all is long overdue,” Ricketts wrote in his statement.&nbsp;

State Sen. Dave Wordekemper of Fremont, who voted to advance the bill out of committee, also voted against LB 3.

“I committed to keeping an open mind throughout this process and have generally tried to find a way to support this measure,” Wordekemper said. “After careful deliberation, I cannot.”

A proposed state constitutional amendment that would let the voters decide wasn’t on the agenda but was alluded to during the LB 3 debate. State Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams proposed that approach, which the committee also advanced to the floor. The potential fallback proposal likely has no path, either. Riepe is also against it.

Wordekemper of Fremont had expressed interest in letting the voters decide. State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward said&nbsp;during the LB 3 floor debate&nbsp;that she was “a&nbsp;little&nbsp;disappointed” no senator had prioritized Dorn’s amendment.

“How many times has this debate been brought up over the last 25-plus years, Hughes asked. “Why not let the second house vote in 2026 and get it in our Constitution?”

Local political observers are mixed on whether winner-take-all would pass at the ballot box. Some rural Republicans have&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/30/defenders-of-nebraskas-blue-dot-come-out-in-force-against-winner-take-all-at-hearing/">shared concerns</a>&nbsp;about losing “their voice” one day under winner-take-all as the state becomes more urban and suburban.&nbsp;

The balconies were more filled than usual with protesters against the change. While the political theatre of Tuesday’s debate will make national headlines, the Republican holdouts have been known for months. Lippincott’s bill was known not to have the votes and was considered dead on arrival. Regardless, the governor pressured lawmakers to debate winner-take-all.

State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln said lawmakers have a short session to deal with big issues like the budget, but the governor insists that senators spend time on LB 3 despite knowing the measure lacked the votes to advance.

“So it’s generally feels very problematic for me that this is what we’re wasting our time on,” Dungan told the Nebraska Examiner.

The Nebraska Democratic Party, which has dubbed the 2nd District the “Blue Dot,”&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskademocrats.org/blog/statement-on-gop-efforts-to-abolish-the-fair-electoral-vote-system/" target="_blank">called LB 3 and the related constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;an attempt to “suppress the voices of Nebraskans.”&nbsp;As promised, Democrats and others opposed the change with a filibuster. State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln filed motions to indefinitely postpone, bracket, and send the bill back to committee before Tuesday’s debate.&nbsp;She was one of several senators who spoke at length against the bill.

“Most recent calls to revert to winner-take-all from U.S. senators, President Trump, and miscellaneous political personalities are both condescending and an admission,”&nbsp;Conrad said on the floor on Tuesday.

State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, a registered nonpartisan who typically sides with progressives, said LB 3 isn’t popular with Nebraskans. She said Nebraskans made their stance on LB 3 clear during its public hearing.&nbsp;

“It’s about sore losers. It’s about partisanship,” Hunt said.&nbsp;

Nebraska is one of just two states — Maine is the other — that parcel out some electoral votes to the winner of the presidential popular vote in each congressional district. The district approach, adopted in Nebraska in 1991, has led to Democrats claiming a single electoral vote from the 2nd District three times — in 2008, 2020, and 2024. Republicans have won the rest, including two elections each for winning the popular vote for president statewide.

Recently, a Democratic state lawmaker in Maine proposed a bill that would move Maine back to winner-take-all if Nebraska switches as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/04/01/opinion/opinion-contributor/preserve-maines-electoral-college-split-joam40zk0w/" target="_blank">a way of “protecting” Maine’s voices and voters,</a>&nbsp;which lawmakers mentioned during the debate.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744206618097.jpeg" alt=" Protesters against the winner-take-all change sit in the statehouse balconies on April 8, 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Protesters against the winner-take-all change sit in the statehouse balconies on April 8, 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Jaun Salinas II<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/04/08/winner-take-all-bill-stalls-in-nebraska-legislature-a-blow-to-governor/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — The Nebraska Legislature killed a bill seeking to alter how the state awards Electoral College votes for president after Republicans in the officially nonpartisan body failed to secure enough votes to overcome a four-hour filibuster.Tuesday was Gov. Jim Pillen’s latest failed attempt in two years to pressure the Legislature to change the state’s system of awarding electoral votes since the resurgence of a decades-old fight after President Donald Trump and campaign surrogates expressed support for the change during his 2024 campaign, which some pundits thought might come down to the results in Nebraska’s Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District.Pillen’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/07/nebraska-lawmakers-respond-to-gov-jim-pillens-pressure-on-winner-take-all/">political future</a>&nbsp;with Trump is unclear after failing to deliver winner-take-all.&nbsp;The major Trump donor Pillen beat in the Republican primary for governor, Charles Herbster, is considering challenging Pillen in the 2026 GOP gubernatorial primary. Some in Pillen’s orbit have argued they need to make the electoral change to help keep Trump from potentially endorsing Herbster again. The president backed Herbster in 2022. He was one of the first major Trump-backed candidates nationally to lose a GOP primary.“I am deeply disappointed that a minority of the Legislature defeated the will of the majority of their colleagues and, more importantly, the majority of Nebraskans by filibustering winner-take-all,” Pillen said in a statement after the vote.<h2>Déjà vu</h2>State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City lacked the 33 votes needed to overcome the filibuster and advance his bill, which echoed what Lippincott told the Nebraska Examiner on Monday — that he didn’t have the votes for LB 3. The measure secured 31 votes for cloture.“The argument for returning the winner-take-all system isn’t rooted in partisanship. It’s about ensuring that Nebraska’s electoral process aligns with the national framework and guarantees that every vote truly matters,” Lippincott said on the floor, introducing his bill.Pillen had&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/TeamPillen/status/1908559003346755940" target="_blank">argued in a post on X</a>&nbsp;Thursday that Republicans, holding 33 of the state’s 49 seats in its one-house Legislature, should be able to come together and pass winner-take-all.One of the loudest GOP holdouts was State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston. Trump had called Riepe in 2024, when the then-presidential candidate was trying to convince senators to support Pillen’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/04/04/window-closing-on-backup-plans-for-winner-take-all-in-nebraska/">11th-hour push</a>&nbsp;for winner-take-all in a possible special session the governor had discussed calling.This time, Pillen tried to pressure Riepe in public, calling him out by name in a statement and saying that all Unicameral Republicans need to “stand together as a team.”&nbsp;While the pressure tactic worked on the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee, which advanced the bill to the floor for debate after his push, it did not move Riepe.“Winner-takes-all is not a 2025 issue. It’s an issue for 2028,” Riepe said.U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb, had also weighed in today with his own&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/petericketts/status/1909604361346424834?s=46&amp;t=B4v5xSml401BbJ1-tGAokQ" target="_blank">statement of support for shifting to winner-take-all on X</a>.“I urge the Unicameral to let Nebraskaians speak with a united voice by electing a President who will represent our entire state. Passing winner-take-all is long overdue,” Ricketts wrote in his statement.&nbsp;State Sen. Dave Wordekemper of Fremont, who voted to advance the bill out of committee, also voted against LB 3.“I committed to keeping an open mind throughout this process and have generally tried to find a way to support this measure,” Wordekemper said. “After careful deliberation, I cannot.”Others voted along party lines.A proposed state constitutional amendment that would let the voters decide wasn’t on the agenda but was alluded to during the LB 3 debate. State Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams proposed that approach, which the committee also advanced to the floor. The potential fallback proposal likely has no path, either. Riepe is also against it.Wordekemper of Fremont had expressed interest in letting the voters decide. State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward said&nbsp;during the LB 3 floor debate&nbsp;that she was “a&nbsp;little&nbsp;disappointed” no senator had prioritized Dorn’s amendment.“How many times has this debate been brought up over the last 25-plus years, Hughes asked. “Why not let the second house vote in 2026 and get it in our Constitution?”Local political observers are mixed on whether winner-take-all would pass at the ballot box. Some rural Republicans have&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/30/defenders-of-nebraskas-blue-dot-come-out-in-force-against-winner-take-all-at-hearing/">shared concerns</a>&nbsp;about losing “their voice” one day under winner-take-all as the state becomes more urban and suburban.&nbsp;<h2>Winner-take-all political theater</h2>The balconies were more filled than usual with protesters against the change. While the political theatre of Tuesday’s debate will make national headlines, the Republican holdouts have been known for months. Lippincott’s bill was known not to have the votes and was considered dead on arrival. Regardless, the governor pressured lawmakers to debate winner-take-all.State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln said lawmakers have a short session to deal with big issues like the budget, but the governor insists that senators spend time on LB 3 despite knowing the measure lacked the votes to advance.“So it’s generally feels very problematic for me that this is what we’re wasting our time on,” Dungan told the Nebraska Examiner.The Nebraska Democratic Party, which has dubbed the 2nd District the “Blue Dot,”&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskademocrats.org/blog/statement-on-gop-efforts-to-abolish-the-fair-electoral-vote-system/" target="_blank">called LB 3 and the related constitutional amendment</a>&nbsp;an attempt to “suppress the voices of Nebraskans.”&nbsp;As promised, Democrats and others opposed the change with a filibuster. State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln filed motions to indefinitely postpone, bracket, and send the bill back to committee before Tuesday’s debate.&nbsp;She was one of several senators who spoke at length against the bill.“Most recent calls to revert to winner-take-all from U.S. senators, President Trump, and miscellaneous political personalities are both condescending and an admission,”&nbsp;Conrad said on the floor on Tuesday.State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, a registered nonpartisan who typically sides with progressives, said LB 3 isn’t popular with Nebraskans. She said Nebraskans made their stance on LB 3 clear during its public hearing.&nbsp;“It’s about sore losers. It’s about partisanship,” Hunt said.&nbsp;Nebraska is one of just two states — Maine is the other — that parcel out some electoral votes to the winner of the presidential popular vote in each congressional district. The district approach, adopted in Nebraska in 1991, has led to Democrats claiming a single electoral vote from the 2nd District three times — in 2008, 2020, and 2024. Republicans have won the rest, including two elections each for winning the popular vote for president statewide.Recently, a Democratic state lawmaker in Maine proposed a bill that would move Maine back to winner-take-all if Nebraska switches as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/04/01/opinion/opinion-contributor/preserve-maines-electoral-college-split-joam40zk0w/" target="_blank">a way of “protecting” Maine’s voices and voters,</a>&nbsp;which lawmakers mentioned during the debate.&nbsp;

Winner-take-all bill stalls in Nebraska Legislature, a blow to governor

Alliance, NE&nbsp;– On April 7, 2025, at approximately 3:40 PM, Sergeant Tim Peterson with the Alliance Police Department conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of West 10th Street and Ramblin Road. Prior to initiating the stop, officers identified a passenger in the vehicle as Colton Williamson (DOB: 01/27/1997), who had an active warrant for his arrest in Box Butte County for violating a protection order.

Once the vehicle came to a stop, Sergeant Peterson — with the assistance of Officer Dani Campbell and Officer Parker Dahlberg — took Williamson into custody without incident. During a search of the area where Williamson had been seated, officers located a fentanyl pill. A further investigation revealed that Williamson had discarded several additional pills out of the vehicle's window while it was slowing to a stop.

A coordinated effort between Alliance officers and the WING Task Force led to the successful recovery of 19 additional fentanyl pills, believed to have been thrown from the vehicle prior to the arrest.

At the time of his arrest, Williamson was out on bond for a separate drug-related case. He was transported to the Box Butte County Jail and booked on the outstanding warrant, as well as the following new charges:

The Alliance Police Department continues to investigate this incident and these results are preliminary.

The Alliance Police Department urges citizens to remain vigilant and proactive in the fight against illegal drug activity. Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous substance, and even a small amount can be deadly. If you suspect drug-related activity in your neighborhood or have information that may assist law enforcement, please do not hesitate to contact the Alliance Police Department. Your tips can remain anonymous and may help save lives. Together, we can continue to build a safer and healthier Alliance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744126677222.jpeg" alt="Colton Williamson (Alliance Police Department)" />
 <figcaption>Colton Williamson (Alliance Police Department)</figcaption>
 </figure>Alliance Police DepartmentAlliance, NE&nbsp;– On April 7, 2025, at approximately 3:40 PM, Sergeant Tim Peterson with the Alliance Police Department conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of West 10th Street and Ramblin Road. Prior to initiating the stop, officers identified a passenger in the vehicle as Colton Williamson (DOB: 01/27/1997), who had an active warrant for his arrest in Box Butte County for violating a protection order.Once the vehicle came to a stop, Sergeant Peterson — with the assistance of Officer Dani Campbell and Officer Parker Dahlberg — took Williamson into custody without incident. During a search of the area where Williamson had been seated, officers located a fentanyl pill. A further investigation revealed that Williamson had discarded several additional pills out of the vehicle's window while it was slowing to a stop.A coordinated effort between Alliance officers and the WING Task Force led to the successful recovery of 19 additional fentanyl pills, believed to have been thrown from the vehicle prior to the arrest.At the time of his arrest, Williamson was out on bond for a separate drug-related case. He was transported to the Box Butte County Jail and booked on the outstanding warrant, as well as the following new charges:<ol>
 <li>Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance</li><li>Felony Tampering with Evidence</li>
 </ol>The Alliance Police Department continues to investigate this incident and these results are preliminary.The Alliance Police Department urges citizens to remain vigilant and proactive in the fight against illegal drug activity. Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous substance, and even a small amount can be deadly. If you suspect drug-related activity in your neighborhood or have information that may assist law enforcement, please do not hesitate to contact the Alliance Police Department. Your tips can remain anonymous and may help save lives. Together, we can continue to build a safer and healthier Alliance.

Panhandle man arrested on multiple charges following traffic stop

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen has joined 21 other Republican governors in thanking President Trump for his support of the U.S. Senate’s amendment to the House Budget Resolution. In a letter issued today, the group stated their appreciation to the President, saying in part:

“We, like you, understand that more must be done to fully implement the agenda for which millions of Americans voted to see realized. In particular, Congress must deliver to your desk a reconciliation bill that reinforces your executive actions and codifies in permanent law policies to secure the border, unleash American energy, restore military supremacy, fight wasteful spending, prevent a debilitating tax hike on working class Americans, and prevent a debt default.”

The budget resolution is up for final consideration by the House this week.

In addition to Gov. Pillen, signatories on the letter include: Gov. Kay Ivey (AL), Gov. Mike Dunleavy (AK), Gov. Sarah Sanders (AR), Gov. Brian Kemp (GA), Gov. Brad Little (ID), Gov. Mike Braun (IN), Gov. Kim Reynolds (IA), Gov. Jeff Landry (LA), Gov. Tate Reeves (MS), Gov. Mike Kehoe (MO), Gov. Greg Gianforte (MT), Gov. Kelly Armstrong (ND), Gov. Kevin Stitt (OK), Gov. Henry Dargan McMaster (SC), Gov. Larry Rhoden (SD), Gov. Bill Lee (TN), Gov. Greg Abbott (TX), Gov. Spencer Cox (UT), Gov. Glenn Youngkin (VA), Gov. Patrick Morrisey (WV), and Gov. Mark Gordon (WY).

A copy of the letter is included with this release.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– Governor Jim Pillen has joined 21 other Republican governors in thanking President Trump for his support of the U.S. Senate’s amendment to the House Budget Resolution. In a letter issued today, the group stated their appreciation to the President, saying in part:“We, like you, understand that more must be done to fully implement the agenda for which millions of Americans voted to see realized. In particular, Congress must deliver to your desk a reconciliation bill that reinforces your executive actions and codifies in permanent law policies to secure the border, unleash American energy, restore military supremacy, fight wasteful spending, prevent a debilitating tax hike on working class Americans, and prevent a debt default.”The budget resolution is up for final consideration by the House this week.In addition to Gov. Pillen, signatories on the letter include: Gov. Kay Ivey (AL), Gov. Mike Dunleavy (AK), Gov. Sarah Sanders (AR), Gov. Brian Kemp (GA), Gov. Brad Little (ID), Gov. Mike Braun (IN), Gov. Kim Reynolds (IA), Gov. Jeff Landry (LA), Gov. Tate Reeves (MS), Gov. Mike Kehoe (MO), Gov. Greg Gianforte (MT), Gov. Kelly Armstrong (ND), Gov. Kevin Stitt (OK), Gov. Henry Dargan McMaster (SC), Gov. Larry Rhoden (SD), Gov. Bill Lee (TN), Gov. Greg Abbott (TX), Gov. Spencer Cox (UT), Gov. Glenn Youngkin (VA), Gov. Patrick Morrisey (WV), and Gov. Mark Gordon (WY).A copy of the letter is included with this release.<figure>
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Governor Pillen Joins Republican Governors Thanking President Trump for Supporting the U.S. Senate Budget Reconciliation Package

BIG TIMBER – Two Montana Highway Patrol troopers were involved in an officer involved critical incident Thursday afternoon outside of Big Timber. The situation occurred after troopers were alerted that a suspect from Nebraska, with a no-bond warrant for his arrest for threatening to use explosives or place bombs, had entered Montana.

At approximately 2:48 pm a trooper notified dispatch that he had located the male suspect’s vehicle near Big Timber and a second trooper, who was in the area, was called for backup. Minutes later, the trooper initiated a traffic stop and advised dispatch the suspect was fleeing. The trooper subsequently attempted to perform a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver to stop the suspect’s vehicle but was unsuccessful. After the PIT attempt, the troopers advised that shots were fired by the suspect and the troopers had returned fire. Soon after, the troopers advised the suspect was down. The incident lasted approximately three minutes.

The suspect, 25 year old Breighton James Miller, who was considered suicidal, armed, and dangerous, was pronounced deceased on scene. The two troopers involved are uninjured and have been placed on administrative leave per MHP’s standard policy.

The Sweet Grass County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene to assist shortly after the incident. The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) will lead the investigation.

“Without our troopers’ quick thinking and bravery this incident could have been much worse. I’m confident that DCI will conduct a thorough investigation and I’m grateful for their assistance. Our partners at the Sweet Grass County Sheriff’s Office have also been incredibly helpful on scene,”&nbsp;MHP Colonel Kurt Sager said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716320706146.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Montana Department of JusticeBIG TIMBER – Two Montana Highway Patrol troopers were involved in an officer involved critical incident Thursday afternoon outside of Big Timber. The situation occurred after troopers were alerted that a suspect from Nebraska, with a no-bond warrant for his arrest for threatening to use explosives or place bombs, had entered Montana.At approximately 2:48 pm a trooper notified dispatch that he had located the male suspect’s vehicle near Big Timber and a second trooper, who was in the area, was called for backup. Minutes later, the trooper initiated a traffic stop and advised dispatch the suspect was fleeing. The trooper subsequently attempted to perform a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver to stop the suspect’s vehicle but was unsuccessful. After the PIT attempt, the troopers advised that shots were fired by the suspect and the troopers had returned fire. Soon after, the troopers advised the suspect was down. The incident lasted approximately three minutes.The suspect, 25 year old Breighton James Miller, who was considered suicidal, armed, and dangerous, was pronounced deceased on scene. The two troopers involved are uninjured and have been placed on administrative leave per MHP’s standard policy.The Sweet Grass County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene to assist shortly after the incident. The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) will lead the investigation.“Without our troopers’ quick thinking and bravery this incident could have been much worse. I’m confident that DCI will conduct a thorough investigation and I’m grateful for their assistance. Our partners at the Sweet Grass County Sheriff’s Office have also been incredibly helpful on scene,”&nbsp;MHP Colonel Kurt Sager said.

Wanted Nebraska man killed in shootout with law enforcement in Montana

Office of U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

WASHINGTON&nbsp;–&nbsp;U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) introduced a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/46?s=1&amp;r=1">resolution of disapproval</a>&nbsp;under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation which imposed unrealistic and stringent emissions requirements for heavy-duty trucks and heavy-duty diesel engines.

“As we saw under the Biden administration, what happens in California doesn’t stay in California. Their emissions regulation will cripple the truck manufacturing industry nationwide, overloading companies and truckers with expensive, heavy-handed requirements. This inevitably leads to increased prices for families across the nation. My resolution will overturn the Biden administration’s waiver allowing the ACT regulation to take effect without congressional review,”&nbsp;&nbsp;Fischer said.&nbsp;

The ACT requires manufacturers of trucks, from class 2b to class 8, to meet unrealistic zero-emission regulations by 2025. Under the regulation, manufacturers would have to sell an increasingly larger percentage of zero-emission vehicles between 2024 to 2035. Additionally, the ACT requires fleet owners with more than 50 vehicles to submit a one-time report on their existing operations.

Fischer’sCRA would nullify California’s ACT rule that requires manufacturers to increase the sales of zero-emission trucks. The rule was part of California and the Biden administration’s continued effort to ban gas-powered vehicles and mandate more expensive zero-emission vehicles.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Office of U.S. Senator Deb FischerWASHINGTON&nbsp;–&nbsp;U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) introduced a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/46?s=1&amp;r=1">resolution of disapproval</a>&nbsp;under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation which imposed unrealistic and stringent emissions requirements for heavy-duty trucks and heavy-duty diesel engines.“As we saw under the Biden administration, what happens in California doesn’t stay in California. Their emissions regulation will cripple the truck manufacturing industry nationwide, overloading companies and truckers with expensive, heavy-handed requirements. This inevitably leads to increased prices for families across the nation. My resolution will overturn the Biden administration’s waiver allowing the ACT regulation to take effect without congressional review,”&nbsp;&nbsp;Fischer said.&nbsp;BackgroundThe ACT requires manufacturers of trucks, from class 2b to class 8, to meet unrealistic zero-emission regulations by 2025. Under the regulation, manufacturers would have to sell an increasingly larger percentage of zero-emission vehicles between 2024 to 2035. Additionally, the ACT requires fleet owners with more than 50 vehicles to submit a one-time report on their existing operations.Fischer’sCRA would nullify California’s ACT rule that requires manufacturers to increase the sales of zero-emission trucks. The rule was part of California and the Biden administration’s continued effort to ban gas-powered vehicles and mandate more expensive zero-emission vehicles.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fischer Introduces Resolution to Repeal California’s Radical EV Mandate

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>

WASHINGTON — The IRS and Department of Homeland Security reached an agreement Monday to share tax information of immigrants who have final orders of removal to help immigration agents find and deport the immigrants, according to documents filed in court.

No information between the two agencies has been shared yet, according&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.278147/gov.uscourts.dcd.278147.30.1_1.pdf" target="_blank">to the filings</a>&nbsp;in federal court in the District of Columbia, but the partnership would impact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/removal-system-united-states-overview" target="_blank">more than 1 million immigrants</a>&nbsp;with final removal orders, as the Trump administration carries out mass deportations of immigrants without permanent legal status.

According to a memorandum of understanding signed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and submitted to the court, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials can ask the IRS to provide information about immigrants with orders of removal or immigrants involved in criminal investigations.

Some of that tax information includes sensitive details such as current addresses and information about child tax dependents.

It would be the first time the IRS shared sensitive tax information to carry out immigration enforcement.

In 2023, immigrants in the country without legal authority paid more than $89 billion in taxes,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/topics/tax-contributions" target="_blank">according to the left-leaning think tank the American Immigration Council.</a>

In order to file taxes without a social security number, someone who is not a U.S. citizen would use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or an&nbsp;ITIN. As of 2022, there were more than 5.8 million active&nbsp;ITINs,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tigta.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2024-11/2024400012fr.pdf" target="_blank">according to a report by the Treasury Department Inspect General</a>.

The government filed the document in a case brought by immigration rights groups the Centro de Trabajadores Unidos and Immigrant Solidarity DuPage. The groups are trying to block the IRS from sharing tax records with DHS for immigration enforcement, arguing that such sharing violates IRS disclosure laws.

The Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.278147/gov.uscourts.dcd.278147.31.0.pdf" target="_blank">moved Monday</a>&nbsp;to dismiss the suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, arguing that “providing information to assist criminal investigations—is lawful.”

A hearing on a preliminary injunction to block such information sharing between IRS and DHS is set for April 16 before federal Judge&nbsp;Dabney L. Friedrich, whom President Donald Trump appointed in 2017.

Friedrich ruled against the groups last month, when they asked for a temporary restraining order following a story by The Washington Post that the agencies were considering sharing information in order to find immigrants to deport.

“A single news report about future cooperation between the IRS and DHS does not establish that the plaintiffs’ members are facing imminent injury,” according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.278147/gov.uscourts.dcd.278147.16.0.pdf" target="_blank">March 19 order.&nbsp;</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744140809307.png" alt="&nbsp;Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ahead of&nbsp; raid in Arizona Tuesday" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ahead of&nbsp; raid in Arizona Tuesday</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>WASHINGTON — The IRS and Department of Homeland Security reached an agreement Monday to share tax information of immigrants who have final orders of removal to help immigration agents find and deport the immigrants, according to documents filed in court.No information between the two agencies has been shared yet, according&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.278147/gov.uscourts.dcd.278147.30.1_1.pdf" target="_blank">to the filings</a>&nbsp;in federal court in the District of Columbia, but the partnership would impact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/removal-system-united-states-overview" target="_blank">more than 1 million immigrants</a>&nbsp;with final removal orders, as the Trump administration carries out mass deportations of immigrants without permanent legal status.According to a memorandum of understanding signed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and submitted to the court, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials can ask the IRS to provide information about immigrants with orders of removal or immigrants involved in criminal investigations.Some of that tax information includes sensitive details such as current addresses and information about child tax dependents.It would be the first time the IRS shared sensitive tax information to carry out immigration enforcement.In 2023, immigrants in the country without legal authority paid more than $89 billion in taxes,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/topics/tax-contributions" target="_blank">according to the left-leaning think tank the American Immigration Council.</a>In order to file taxes without a social security number, someone who is not a U.S. citizen would use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or an&nbsp;ITIN. As of 2022, there were more than 5.8 million active&nbsp;ITINs,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tigta.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2024-11/2024400012fr.pdf" target="_blank">according to a report by the Treasury Department Inspect General</a>.<h2>Groups challenging information sharing</h2>The government filed the document in a case brought by immigration rights groups the Centro de Trabajadores Unidos and Immigrant Solidarity DuPage. The groups are trying to block the IRS from sharing tax records with DHS for immigration enforcement, arguing that such sharing violates IRS disclosure laws.The Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.278147/gov.uscourts.dcd.278147.31.0.pdf" target="_blank">moved Monday</a>&nbsp;to dismiss the suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, arguing that “providing information to assist criminal investigations—is lawful.”A hearing on a preliminary injunction to block such information sharing between IRS and DHS is set for April 16 before federal Judge&nbsp;Dabney L. Friedrich, whom President Donald Trump appointed in 2017.Friedrich ruled against the groups last month, when they asked for a temporary restraining order following a story by The Washington Post that the agencies were considering sharing information in order to find immigrants to deport.“A single news report about future cooperation between the IRS and DHS does not establish that the plaintiffs’ members are facing imminent injury,” according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.278147/gov.uscourts.dcd.278147.16.0.pdf" target="_blank">March 19 order.&nbsp;</a>Last updated 1:17 p.m., Apr. 8, 2025

IRS to share immigrants’ tax info with DHS

Nebraska State Treasurers Office&nbsp;

(LINCOLN, Neb. April 8, 2025) – Nebraska families who welcomed new additions in 2024 will receive a financial head start, thanks to the Meadowlark Savings Pledge. This spring, a one-time $50 seed contribution will be deposited into a state-managed NEST 529 account for every Nebraska child born in 2024, as directed by the Meadowlark Act.

Families will receive a letter from the State Treasurer announcing their qualification for the&nbsp;<a href="https://nest529.com/meadowlark/" target="_blank">Meadowlark Savings Pledge</a>, a program designed to help children and families start saving for higher education. The starter contribution has the potential to grow over time. Students can use the funds toward qualified expenses when it's time to continue their education after high school. In addition to Nebraska colleges and universities, funds can be used for technical, trade, and vocational schools.

Nebraska babies born on or after January 1, 2020 receive this one-time Meadowlark seed contribution. It is an automatic enrollment that does not require families to pay extra costs or complete any paperwork. Since its inception, more than 90,000 babies have received the Meadowlark seed contribution.

The Meadowlark Savings Pledge is a great way to start thinking about how to plan for the future – but it’s just the start. Opening a&nbsp;<a href="https://nest529.com/open-an-account/" target="_blank">NEST 529 Education Savings account</a>&nbsp;gives families the ability to make additional contributions toward higher education savings and offers tax benefits you won’t get with traditional savings methods.

Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://nest529.com/" target="_blank">NEST529.com</a>&nbsp;to learn more about the benefits of a NEST 529 Education Savings Plan. For more information on the Meadowlark Program, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nest529.com/meadowlark" target="_blank">NEST529.com/Meadowlark</a>.

The State Treasurer serves as the Program Trustee. All investments, including the portfolio structure offered through the NEST 529 Plan, are vetted and approved by the Nebraska Investment Council

Nebraska State Treasurers Office&nbsp;(LINCOLN, Neb. April 8, 2025) – Nebraska families who welcomed new additions in 2024 will receive a financial head start, thanks to the Meadowlark Savings Pledge. This spring, a one-time $50 seed contribution will be deposited into a state-managed NEST 529 account for every Nebraska child born in 2024, as directed by the Meadowlark Act.Families will receive a letter from the State Treasurer announcing their qualification for the&nbsp;<a href="https://nest529.com/meadowlark/" target="_blank">Meadowlark Savings Pledge</a>, a program designed to help children and families start saving for higher education. The starter contribution has the potential to grow over time. Students can use the funds toward qualified expenses when it's time to continue their education after high school. In addition to Nebraska colleges and universities, funds can be used for technical, trade, and vocational schools.Nebraska babies born on or after January 1, 2020 receive this one-time Meadowlark seed contribution. It is an automatic enrollment that does not require families to pay extra costs or complete any paperwork. Since its inception, more than 90,000 babies have received the Meadowlark seed contribution.The Meadowlark Savings Pledge is a great way to start thinking about how to plan for the future – but it’s just the start. Opening a&nbsp;<a href="https://nest529.com/open-an-account/" target="_blank">NEST 529 Education Savings account</a>&nbsp;gives families the ability to make additional contributions toward higher education savings and offers tax benefits you won’t get with traditional savings methods.Key features include:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Flexibility&nbsp;– A NEST 529 account can be opened in just 10 minutes. Families can manage everything easily online, from contributing and reallocating funds to making investment selections.</li><li>Tax Benefits&nbsp;– Tax-advantaged savings include a Nebraska state tax deduction, tax-deferred growth, and tax-free qualified withdrawals.1&nbsp;Account owners in Nebraska are eligible for an annual state income tax deduction of up to $10,000 for NEST 529 contributions, or $5,000 if married filing separately.2&nbsp;</li><li>Investment Options&nbsp;–&nbsp;Families can customize their investment portfolio to fit risk tolerance, time frame, and savings goals. Saving is made even easier with automatic contributions from bank accounts or paychecks.</li><li>Diverse Fund Families&nbsp;–&nbsp;NEST offers quality funds from multiple fund families including Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, and others.</li>
 </ul>Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://nest529.com/" target="_blank">NEST529.com</a>&nbsp;to learn more about the benefits of a NEST 529 Education Savings Plan. For more information on the Meadowlark Program, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nest529.com/meadowlark" target="_blank">NEST529.com/Meadowlark</a>.The State Treasurer serves as the Program Trustee. All investments, including the portfolio structure offered through the NEST 529 Plan, are vetted and approved by the Nebraska Investment Council

Nebraska Babies Born in 2024 to Receive $50 Meadowlark Savings Pledge Funds

LINCOLN, Nebraska&nbsp;– Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) were represented by nearly 50 directors and staff in Washington, D.C., March 31 to April 2, 2025.

Nebraska’s NRDs advocate for strengthening tools to preserve and fund natural resources projects, which includes engaging policymakers from the grassroots level with a unified voice.

This grassroots advocacy culminates with a visit to Washington, D.C., allowing NRD staff and directors to meet with congressional leaders and discuss local priorities with national partners on federal legislation and programs.

“Those who work and live among our natural resources are some of our most effective spokespeople,” said Martin Graff, Nebraska Association of Resources Districts president. “Going to Washington is an opportunity to advocate for Nebraska by sharing our personal stories and also hear federal perspectives on issues that could impact us locally.”

While on Capitol Hill, conference attendees spent a day meeting with Nebraska senators and congressmen and participated in a two-day session with federal agencies and conservation partners. NRDs help deliver several federal programs locally, and these partnerships equate into real dollars for Nebraska agriculture and communities. Some of the federal topics and speakers included:

“We are grateful to our federal delegation for their support and championing the cause of conservation alongside the Natural Resources Districts,” Graff said. “Their dedication and partnership have been instrumental in securing vital funding and resources that enable us to protect and preserve Nebraska’s natural resources for generations to come.”

Back in Nebraska, advocacy efforts will continue by hosting elected officials in the Natural Resources Districts and engaging in public outreach.

“Locally, NRDs will continue to share our successes and concerns with our elected officials to ensure more informed decision making,” Graff said.

Established in 1972, Nebraska’s 23 NRDs are local government units involved in a variety of projects and programs to conserve and protect the state’s natural resources. Today, the unique system of locally controlled, watershed-based conservation is widely admired throughout the nation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/4/1744119304966.jpeg" alt=" Nebraska Association of Resources Districts President Martin Graff of Ainsworth, Nebraska, welcomes Senator Deb Fischer to speak with Natural Resources Districts staff and directors at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., April 2, 2025. (Courtesy)" />
 <figcaption> Nebraska Association of Resources Districts President Martin Graff of Ainsworth, Nebraska, welcomes Senator Deb Fischer to speak with Natural Resources Districts staff and directors at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., April 2, 2025. (Courtesy)</figcaption>
 </figure>NRDs Press ReleaseLINCOLN, Nebraska&nbsp;– Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) were represented by nearly 50 directors and staff in Washington, D.C., March 31 to April 2, 2025.Nebraska’s NRDs advocate for strengthening tools to preserve and fund natural resources projects, which includes engaging policymakers from the grassroots level with a unified voice.This grassroots advocacy culminates with a visit to Washington, D.C., allowing NRD staff and directors to meet with congressional leaders and discuss local priorities with national partners on federal legislation and programs.“Those who work and live among our natural resources are some of our most effective spokespeople,” said Martin Graff, Nebraska Association of Resources Districts president. “Going to Washington is an opportunity to advocate for Nebraska by sharing our personal stories and also hear federal perspectives on issues that could impact us locally.”While on Capitol Hill, conference attendees spent a day meeting with Nebraska senators and congressmen and participated in a two-day session with federal agencies and conservation partners. NRDs help deliver several federal programs locally, and these partnerships equate into real dollars for Nebraska agriculture and communities. Some of the federal topics and speakers included:<ul>
 <li>Watershed Programs, Financial Assistant Programs, and Technical Service Providers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).</li><li>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Nonpoint Source Branch</li><li>Waters of the United States (WOTUS) with the American Farm Bureau Federation</li><li>Policy and Program Updates from the National Association of Conservation Districts</li><li>Corporate Sustainability and Precision Conservation Management with PepsiCo</li><li>Low Carbon Fuels with Cultivating Conservation</li><li>Trade Policy with the U.S. Grains Council</li>
 </ul>“We are grateful to our federal delegation for their support and championing the cause of conservation alongside the Natural Resources Districts,” Graff said. “Their dedication and partnership have been instrumental in securing vital funding and resources that enable us to protect and preserve Nebraska’s natural resources for generations to come.”Back in Nebraska, advocacy efforts will continue by hosting elected officials in the Natural Resources Districts and engaging in public outreach.“Locally, NRDs will continue to share our successes and concerns with our elected officials to ensure more informed decision making,” Graff said.Established in 1972, Nebraska’s 23 NRDs are local government units involved in a variety of projects and programs to conserve and protect the state’s natural resources. Today, the unique system of locally controlled, watershed-based conservation is widely admired throughout the nation.The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD), the trade association for Nebraska's 23 Natural Resources Districts (NRD), works with individual districts to protect lives, property and the future of Nebraska’s natural resources. NRDs are unique to Nebraska, and act as local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect Nebraska’s natural resources. Major Nebraska river basins form the boundaries of the 23 NRDs, enabling districts to respond to local conservation and resource management needs. Learn more about Nebraska’s NRDs at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nrdnet.org/" target="_blank">www.nrdnet.org</a>.