Governor Jim Pillen-(R)-Nebraska. (Courtesy of Governor's Office)LINCOLN–(KFOR Jan. 15)–Gov. Jim Pillen on Thursday morning delivered his annual “State of the State” Address before the Nebraska Legislature, highlighting key items related to the budget, taxes and changing Nebraska back to a w inner-take-all state in presidential elections. Pillen commended his administration for helping shrink the government to improve outcomes and cut costs.   “We have made progress in efficiency and reform. We finished the job of bringing the workforce back to work after the pandemic,” Pillen said. Pillen said the relationships he’s built with the Trump administration will benefit Nebraska’s future. From banning soda and energy drinks for SNAP recipients in Nebraska to becoming the first state to opt into the federal scholarship tax program, Pillen described many wins his administration has received. “I was the first Governor in the country to sign an Executive Order indicating Nebraska’s intent to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit – a move that could bring millions of federal dollars into our state to support all kids in our schools – public, private, and homeschool,” Pillen said. Most recently, Nebraska is in the top 10 states for federal investments from the groundbreaking Rural Health Transformation program, receiving over $218 million. Pillen discussed Nebraska’s growing economy, saying more than two million Nebraskans are “living the good life” for the first time in history.  Pillen’s team worked with business and Chamber of Commerce leaders and economic development experts to develop the Grow the Good Life Incentive. “This groundbreaking incentive will be second to none, giving businesses a 10% tax credit for a full decade when they grow their business by bringing NEW, highly paid people to our state,” Pillen said. One of the biggest priority items is a budget proposal that would cut spending. “The result of this budget work will mean a $500 million improvement to the state’s bottom line in this biennium,” Pillen said. “For those doing the math, take note: this proposal eliminates the make-believe budget crisis that so many critics have imagined over the last few months.” Pillen ended his address asking the Legislature to “seize the opportunity to accomplish other priorities” despite the short session.  That includes lawmakers finalizing the long-running debate over whether Nebraska should unify and strengthen its voice in presidential elections. “I have favored restoring the law to award our electoral college votes to the candidate who wins Nebraska as a whole, and there is a clear majority of this Legislature—stronger than ever before—who would vote for that restoration today,” Pillen said.  Adams Senator Myron Dorn’s LR24CA would place a question of changing Nebraska back to a winner-take-all state on the November 2026 ballot will likely be discussed during the session. ...read more read less