BY THE NUMBERS: NEBRASKA’S 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

LINCOLN — Two years after a motion-filled and filibuster-riddled 2023 session, Nebraska lawmakers in 2025 settled into a new rhythm as stall tactics again dominated legislative debate.

Throughout the 89-day session that concluded June 2, Nebraska lawmakers filed 347 motions, according to legislative records. It’s the second-highest tally for any session except 2023, when a record 1,160 motions were filed throughout the 88-day session. Similar to that year, State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha again filed the most motions.

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PILLEN CONFIDENT IN NEBRASKA BUDGET, WON’T ‘SPECULATE’ ON PROJECTED OUT-YEAR HOLE

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen remains confident in his preferred policies to grow Nebraska and cut costs, even as the speaker of the Legislature has again identified the state budget as the “biggest challenge” for 2026. Many of the budget tweaks likely to be pursued in 2026 could respond to changes in federal government funding or state revenue projections, but Pillen said state lawmakers, combined with past policies, will make up the difference.

In a post-session interview with the Nebraska Examiner, he said his cabinet, too, shares his business mentality to improve services while decreasing costs, and he remains committed that state government must be run differently. “Feel real good about where we sit and that as long as people don’t start thinking there’s money to spend, we’ll be in real good shape,” Pillen said. 

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PILLEN SUPPORTS LOCKING NEBRASKA CLOCKS AT PERMANENT STANDARD TIME

LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has endorsed which way the state should lock the clocks, putting his weight behind ending twice-a-year clock changes by using permanent standard time. In his monthly radio call-in show Monday, Pillen told a caller from Seward that as a farmer in the “pig business,” he’s “spent a lot of time trying to fool Mother Nature.” He said daylight saving time — the current position of the clocks — is a little like that.

“The hardcore reality is you really can’t fool Mother Nature, and that’s probably, in the simplest version, why, if something comes with it, I would be an advocate for having regular daylight time all year round,” Pillen said. Clocks “spring ahead” one hour on the second Sunday in March (March 9 this year) and “fall back” one hour on the first Sunday in November (Nov. 2 this year). Nebraska lawmakers considered three proposals this spring related to the position of the clocks and remain one vote away from sending a bill to Pillen. The end-of-session time crunch meant neither LB 34 or LB 302 was rescheduled for a third and final debate. If both bills passed, Pillen would get the final say.

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COURT FILINGS REVEAL DETAILS OF IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATION THAT LED TO OMAHA MEATPACKING PLANT RAID

A federal audit at Glenn Valley Foods this spring found that of 177 employees at the plant, 107 were suspected of working with either fraudulent or inadequate documentation, according to a federal court affidavit. That’s what ultimately prompted the federal raid at the Omaha meatpacking plant on June 10 and the arrest and detention of more than 70 workers.

As more details begin to emerge about the raid that has drawn protests from immigration advocates, the operation offers a window into the means and tactics federal authorities are using as they try to meet President Donald Trump’s goal of deporting 3,000 undocumented people per day. An affidavit related to one of the first criminal cases coming out of the raid detailed the results of a Department of Homeland Security audit of the employment documentation for workers at the plant — the basis for the subsequent federal civil search warrant and raid. 

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HAUSMANN CONSTRUCTION CHOSEN TO BUILD NEW NEBRASKA PRISON, AT $313 MILLION

LINCOLN — The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services on Wednesday selected which construction company will build the state’s next prison: Hausmann Construction of Lincoln.

Correctional Services said the Lincoln-headquartered company was the lowest base bidder for the project, at $313.3 million, compared to the joint ventures of Sampson Construction/Caddell Construction ($344.3 million) and Clark Construction/MCL Construction ($341 million). One partner in each of the joint ventures was based in Nebraska. The Nebraska Legislature appropriated $350 million for building a replacement prison, but some lawmakers worried rising construction costs could push the project over. 

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GOV. PILLEN ASSIGNS DISTRICT COURT JUDGE FOR NEBRASKA’S FIFTH DISTRICT

Gov. Jim Pillen has appointed a new judge for Nebraska’s fifth judicial district. In a release sent Tuesday, Pillen’s office said the Governor appointed Jason S. Doele of Norfolk to the position of District Court Judge. Nebraska’s Fifth Judicial District consists of Boone, Butler, Colfax, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Saunders, Seward, and York counties.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKER ANNOUNCES SKIN CANCER DIAGNOSIS, PLEDGES TO SEEK REELECTION IN 2026

Lincoln — A Nebraska state senator announced this week that he has faced a serious form of skin cancer for the past two years but remains committed to finishing his term and seeking reelection in 2026.

State Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, in a Wednesday post, announced to supporters that he was diagnosed the first week of January 2023 with metastatic melanoma, which can spread to other parts of the body. Jacobson said the cancer has spread to his right lung, and he’s continued a range of treatments over the past two years.

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HILGERS WRITES NEW ROUND OF LETTERS TO NEBRASKA THC RETAILERS, THIS TIME LINCOLN

LINCOLN — The owners of 82 smoke and vape shops and other THC-friendly retailers in Lincoln are receiving cease and desist letters this week from Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers about selling THC-containing products.

Hilgers, the state’s top prosecutor, ramped back up his push to get stores to stop selling delta-8, delta-9 and other products containing tetrahydrocannabinol that he argues offer people an unregulated, unsafe, illegal way to get high. Store owners in several cities that Hilgers has targeted have argued state law is unclear about the legality of selling the products. Some have argued that federal law might have a loophole allowing it.

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REGENTS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVE NEXT CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY

LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Thursday unanimously approved Neal Schnoor as the next chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Schnoor, who has served as president of Northern State University in South Dakota, will start in the position July 1 with a $355,000 salary. He succeeds former UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen, who retired in May 2024 after 22 years, the longest chancellor’s tenure in NU history. Schnoor was a long-time UNK faculty member, from 1997 to 2010, and an administrator from 2012 to 2019.

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VETERAN, FILLEY BUSINESSWOMAN CALLY IDEUS IS SET TO RUN FOR DISTRICT 30 SEAT

A Filley businesswoman and Army veteran has announced her candidacy for the Nebraska Legislature. 

Cally Ideus, who established Odyssey Mission Inc. in 2022 with her husband, Jerod, plans to run for the District 30 seat currently held by Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams. Dorn cannot seek reelection in 2026 because of term limits. In announcing her candidacy, Ideus says she's a conservative Republican who's ready to bring meaningful property tax reform, cut state government and make it more efficient, defend agriculture producers, improve education, and work on other issues important to the district. 

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TIM ANDERSON ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE IN DISTRICT 38

SUTTON, Neb. – Conservative Republican Tim Anderson announced today his candidacy for the Nebraska Legislature in District 38. Tim Anderson is a lifelong Nebraskan, husband, father of five, and farmer proudly serving as the Mayor of Sutton. 

Born and raised in Clay County, Tim brings a track record of results and a Nebraska work ethic to everything he does. What drives him is simple: faith in God, love for family, and a commitment to serving the great State of Nebraska. “As Mayor, I’ve worked every day to deliver for my community—balancing budgets, cutting red tape, expanding economic opportunities, and leading our city through the aftermath of a devastating tornado,” said Anderson. “I’ve lived the challenges our communities face—on the farm, in City Hall, and around the kitchen table. Now I’m running to be a strong voice for you—to fight for our farms, our families, and our freedoms.”

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JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER MARK SCHOENROCK ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR NEBRASKA SENATE

FAIRBURY - One of Nebraska's next state senators could come from Jefferson County: Jefferson County Commissioner Mark Schoenrock formally announced his candidacy for the Nebraska Legislature on Thursday morning in Fairbury.

District 32, covering multiple counties in Southeast Nebraska, is currently represented by Tom Brandt, whose time in the senate is term-limited but was in attendance Thursday to evaluate a potential successor. A former Army logistician who has spent the last ten years as a commissioner in his native Jefferson County, Schoenrock said he would tap into those experiences to guide him in this new endeavor.

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OMAHA ATTORNEY JOSH LIVINGSTON, AND POLICY DIRECTOR FOR WOMEN'S FUND OF OMAHA ERIN FEICTHINGER ANNOUNCE CANDIDACY FOR NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

Omaha attorney Josh Livingston and Erin Feichtinger, Policy Director for Women's Fund of Omaha, launched campaigns for the District 8 seat in the Nebraska Legislature, the seat that term-limited State Sen. Megan Hunt will leave at the end of next year.

Livingston, 39, identified himself as a father, husband and community advocate in a press release. He said he will keep families at the forefront of policies and “ensure that Nebraska families are heard, respected and supported, just like the ones I have been fighting for my whole career.” Livingston is a family law attorney at an Omaha firm and previously worked as a deputy county attorney for Sarpy County. He graduated from Creighton University’s law school in 2016.

Feichintger has been the Policy Director for the Women’s Fund of Omaha since 2022 and added to her previous legislative efforts an agenda to advance gender equity through protecting reproductive healthcare, increasing protections for those experiencing domestic violence, strengthening economic security policies like paid sick leave and increasing the minimum wage in support of working families, and ensuring our LGBTQ+ neighbors are seen and safe.

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WEST OMAHA LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT MIGHT SEE A REMATCH AS MAXWELL-OSTDIEK LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN

The runner-up in 2022’s race for west Omaha’s District 4 seat in the Nebraska Legislature announced she will run again in 2026. Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek, 57, said the 2025 session was frustrating because lawmakers spent more time “gutting ballot initiatives that voters overwhelmingly supported” than on addressing property taxes and health care access.

“District 4 deserves a representative who will listen to our neighbors and deliver on the issues we all care about — making life more affordable, keeping our families safe and growing our local economy,” Maxwell-Ostdiek said in her campaign announcement. 

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PATTY PANSING BROOKS ANNOUNCES 2026 BID TO RETURN TO NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE

LINCOLN — Former State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks announced her 2026 candidacy Friday to return to the Nebraska Legislature, a day after the current officeholder said she would not seek reelection.

State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln announced her decision not to run again Thursday, leaving the central Lincoln seat open, as first reported by the Nebraska Examiner.  Just 24 hours later, Pansing Brooks “enthusiastically” threw her hat in the ring with Raybould’s support, one of more than 70 current and former officials to endorse Pansing Brooks.

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RETIRED JUDGE APPOINTED TO NEBRASKA LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION VACANCY

LINCOLN — A retired Douglas County District Court judge will be the next member of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission and jointly serve on the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission.

Gov. Jim Pillen on Wednesday announced the six-year appointment of former District Judge J. Michael Coffey of Omaha to the Liquor Commission. Coffey retired in June 2023 after nearly 25 years on the 4th Judicial District bench, currently only Douglas County. Coffey must be confirmed by the Legislature in 2026 to stay in his role. The three Liquor Control Commission members each represent one of the state’s three congressional districts. The same three automatically serve on the Medical Cannabis Commission under a law voters approved in November 2024.

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NEW NEBRASKA CHAMBER PRESIDENT DISCUSSES HIS ROLE

The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce has a new President and CEO. Todd Bingham comes to Lincoln having led the Manufacturers Association in Utah, a state known for high-tech and diverse industries. Nebraska Public Media’s Dale Johnson sat down with Bingham to find out how his Utah skills will benefit him in Nebraska. 

If you're talking about tech, I actually would say that I think every company today, first and foremost, has to be a tech company. I think that's the way they're leaning, whether you're in ag processing, whether you're in traditional steel manufacturing, whether you're a new core or a Lincoln premium poultry or, you know, Chief Industries, whoever. You're a tech company. I think you have to be. When you talk about economic development, there's certainly an area and an opportunity for significant growth in those fields in Nebraska, and we can get into more of the discussion, but it kind of focuses around automation, AI the advancement of tech across the country.

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NEBRASKA PROPERTY TAXES REMAIN PILLEN’S TOP FOCUS, WITH FEW STRATEGY CHANGES AFTER RECENT DEFEATS

LINCOLN — Gov. Jim Pillen isn’t wavering from his goal to secure more property tax relief for Nebraskans, and he’s not significantly modifying his strategy of pushing for a broadened sales tax to pay for it after a similar approach failed a third straight time.

Pillen said he will keep the conversation alive for state government to take on the annual operational funding of all of Nebraska’s 245 public school districts, but not to run them. Local school boards would retain property tax authority for bonds and construction projects, for example, a route that Pillen said would require decreased state spending on other budget priorities and a broadened sales tax base. “We’re going to be bold and courageous and work hard to get 33 votes to get there,” Pillen said in a post-session interview with the Nebraska Examiner, noting the legislative threshold needed to overcome an anticipated filibuster.

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NEBRASKA JOINS BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF TRUMP'S USE OF GUARD TROOPS, MARINES IN CALIFORNIA

LINCOLN — Nebraska has waded into the legal battle between California and President Donald Trump over his administration’s deployment of federal troops to Los Angeles to protect immigration enforcement agents amid intense protests over Trump’s immigration crackdown.

The White House last week moved to take control of up to 4,000 California National Guard troops and mobilized 700 Marines in a rare use of military force on American soil that prompted California Gov. Gavin Newsom to sue the Trump administration Monday, asking a judge to return control of the state’s troops to Newsom. In a Wednesday legal filing in the federal case, Nebraska joined 18 other Republican-led states seeking to file a brief in support of Trump’s order, arguing the deployment was “responsible, constitutional and authorized” by law.

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ATTORNEYS SAY THEY’VE BEEN UNABLE TO TALK TO OMAHA WORKERS SWEPT UP IN ICE RAID

Workers detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during a raid at an Omaha meatpacking plant on Tuesday have been transferred from an Omaha-based processing center to a detention facility elsewhere in Nebraska, according to the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement and a staff member from U.S. Rep. Don Bacon’s office.

“We now know that 63 of those in custody have been transferred from the DHS processing center to a detention center in Nebraska. The other 11 people detained on Tuesday have either been deported or sent to other locations for processing,” a statement from CIRA said. Of the remaining 11, U.S. Marshals held some as part of a broader federal criminal investigation, some were deported under existing deportation orders, others were released, according to James Wright, a deputy chief of staff in Bacon’s office.

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