Governor Jim Pillen-(R)-Nebraska. (Courtesy of Governor's Office)LINCOLN–(KFOR Nov. 6)–Laying out his priorities for the next Nebraska Legislative session, Governor Jim Pillen on Friday said he wants to capping valuations, cap local government spending, cover education costs and cut property tax collections. He calls it cap, cover, cut. Pillen said Tuesday’s election gave state leaders a mandate to address property taxes. He acknowledged that the incoming Legislature will not have 33 conservatives and said he still needs to build relationships with new members. “If the Unicameral can’t come together and solve this problem, we’ll solve it ourselves,” he said. “We will get it on the ballot for ’28.” Pillen also criticized reliance on credits as a “shell game” and called for structural changes. When it comes to how the state would pay for a bigger role in funding K-12 schools, the governor said he would call for reviewing sales tax exemptions and that Nebraska’s economy has not changed.  Pillen even raised the possibility to taxing more for services and items sold a convenience stores along Interstate 80 across Nebraska, saying visitors would help pay taxes while traveling through the state. Pillen also called for replacing the state’s TEEOSA school funding formula, with a goal for the state to fund education while reducing the reliance on property taxes, not to take money away from schools. Pillen also promoted a federal scholarship tax credit set to begin in 2027, saying his administration is working to encourage participation and keep education dollars in Nebraska. He said the program could benefit students in public, private and home schools. The governor said health will also be a priority, encouraging Nebraskans to eat fewer processed foods and saying farmers and ranchers can play a role. Pillen said he has directed cabinet members to look for further opportunities to reduce government spending as the state prepares for the legislative session. ...read more read less