Jim Pillen in 2023 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Abortion:
Nebraskans have been praying for 50 years to end abortion
Nebraska is a pro-life state. Many Nebraskans have been praying for 50 years to end abortion. This discussion has gotten too complicated and misleading. Here is what pro-life policy is NOT in Nebraska--it's NOT about preventative contraception.
It's NOT about in-vitro fertilization. It's NOT a fertility medicine discussion. It is simply about stopping what started 50 years ago--the abortion of babies growing in mother's wombs. I am fighting for the rights of every baby with a beating heart.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Nebraska legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Budget & Economy:
Agencies must focus on what is needed, not what is nice
I'm introducing a budget that restricts the growth of state spending to an annual average of just 1.3% over the biennium. With an inspirational systems approach of running agencies, we will improve services to Nebraskans and cut the cost of operations.
We have asked agencies to tighten their belts and focus on what is needed, not what is nice. Needs are our focus, and we are leading by example. In the budget I'm presenting the Governor's Office will not see one penny more than the prior budget.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Nebraska legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Budget & Economy:
Infrastructure needs are more important than ever before
Infrastructure needs for Nebraska are more important than ever before. To grow Nebraska, we must address roads and broadband. My budget includes $100 Million dollars to leverage an additional $400 Million in federal funds to improve our bridges
and roads. Our team has also created the Nebraska Broadband Office. We have to get broadband across Nebraska completed. It will be the sole focus of the Nebraska Broadband Office.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Nebraska legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Crime:
Meet programming needs of inmates to reduce recidivism
I am recommending finalizing the last phase of funding to replace the Nebraska State Penitentiary, which this body has approved. The facility was designed more than a century ago. It can't meet the programming needs
of our inmates to reduce recidivism and get people back to work after they pay their dues to society for their transgressions. A new facility, with additional space for programming, will help more people to become productive, law-abiding citizens.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Nebraska legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Education:
Utilize community colleges to train students in the trades
I am recommending that the state assume responsibility for funding our community colleges. We all agree that our kids are our future. We need more of them to pursue their degrees here. We need to attract more students from other states.
[Today], 50% of our kids are not obtaining any training beyond high school. The success of utilizing community colleges in Nebraska for students best suited for trades is a game changer.
Our kids want to stay in Nebraska and get their post-secondary education here. My budget provides $39.4 Million to fund over 4,200 scholarships for Nebraska students who attend any of Nebraska's institutes of higher education. This helps us to compete
for our kids and keep them here. We need to reach out to K-12 and build relationships with our kids and give them hope. Scholarship them so that they can get an education and work in your business for a minimum of five years in return.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Nebraska legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Education:
$50 million for scholarships outside of public education
Focusing on all kids, I am recommending a $50 Million dollar investment for scholarships for Nebraska kids whose needs are best met outside of public education.
Opportunity scholarship tax credits will provide scholarships for kids who live in poverty, foster care systems, and those with special needs. We can't let one kid fall through the cracks.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Nebraska legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Families & Children:
Special Education fund: never give up on a single kid
My top priority, and that of all Nebraskans, is our kids. That is why, today, I'm proposing the creation of the Education Future Fund with an investment of $1 Billion dollars in fiscal year 23-24 and $250 Million each year thereafter.
This investment ensures that Nebraska will never ever give up on a single kid--ever again. The Education Future Fund will provide further assistance to our school districts to help meet the needs of special education students across the State.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Nebraska legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Social Security:
Exempt Social Security income from state taxes by next year
I am recommending $1.5 Billion dollars in income tax cuts for individuals, families, businesses, and Social Security recipients. I am asking the Legislature to phase down our individual income and business tax rates to 3.99% by 2027, enabling
Nebraska to be more competitive. This is key to stopping out-migration. I am also asking the Legislature to exempt Social Security income from state taxes by next year, providing considerable tax relief to retired Nebraskans.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Nebraska legislature
Jan 25, 2023
On Tax Reform:
We all agree: we are taxed way too much
We all agree -- we are taxed way too much. Our tax policy chases our kids and grandparents out of the state. We can't grow Nebraska that way. From my view, it's very simple. We must have the courage to say "No" to overspending and maintain a focus on
investing in our kids and giving this money back to Nebraskans via historic property and income tax cuts. We, Nebraska's leaders, must compete for Nebraska to win. The cuts I am proposing to you today make us more competitive.
Our property taxes are so out of whack that you don't even need to own property to be impacted by property taxes. We must lift this burden, and we have to do it now. Today, I am recommending to the Legislature an additional $2.4 Billion dollars in
property tax cuts, for a total of $7.1 Billion through fiscal year 26-27. As part of this total, I am recommending the investment of an additional $390 Million dollars in the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Nebraska legislature
Jan 25, 2023
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2023