Nebraska
Gov. Pillen explains willingness to accept more than Nebraska’s ‘fair share’ in federal funds • Nebraska Examiner
PLATTSMOUTH, Nebraska — Nearly half a year after saying he didn’t “believe in welfare,” Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen says the state will accept as many federal dollars as possible.
Pillen’s latest directive to his cabinet members has been to find federal funds that have “no strings attached” so the Cornhusker State gets “more than our fair share.” Doing so, he has said, could increase investments into state services, promote growth or reduce property taxes.
“Green light, pedal to the metal,” Pillen recalled telling his cabinet.
In December, explaining his then-rejection of federal funding for Summer Electronic Benefits Transfers funds for low-income Nebraska families, Pillen said similar programs already existed, and he criticized a lack of “touch points.”
Months later, the governor, alongside the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education and many Republican state senators, announced they had found a “Nebraska way” and would move forward with the summer food program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture praised the Nebraska proposal and the addition of “touch points” that Pillen desired be added.
About 175,000 students, or 80,000 households that meet certain criteria, such as free or reduced lunch eligibility, are expected to benefit from a card loaded with $120 in grocery-buying benefits for the summer.
Oklahoma origins to philosophy
Pillen told the Nebraska Examiner his response was “not a shift at all” from his December stance because his initial opposition came over the program’s execution, not its goals. He said “touch points” could increase participation in other programs and better support families.
During various town halls, Pillen has continued to pitch his desire to provide another $1 billion in property tax relief, shaving off a total 40% of the state’s approximately $5.3 billion collected each year by this year’s end.
Pillen said he plans to call a special session this summer and add to the first $1 billion in reduced property taxes through credits on income taxes and community colleges.
Three weeks into becoming governor in January 2023, Pillen said, he talked with Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and learned that Stitt had a personal lobbyist in Washington, D.C., who helped the state draw in more federal dollars.
Nebraska, Stitt told the state’s freshman governor, was second to last nationwide in getting its share of federal funds, while Oklahoma was in the top 10.
Pillen recalled finding that fact “appalling” and told attendees at a town hall in Plattsmouth that if Nebraska didn’t accept the funds, they could go to California.
“We’re working incredibly hard to get more than our fair share of federal dollars back home,” Pillen said. “Vastly different than what’s gone on for a lot of years.”
Past governors rejected federal help
Nebraska’s previous governor, now-U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., rejected federal funds for emergency rental aid related to the COVID-19 pandemic. State lawmakers tried to force the state to accept the funds, a move Ricketts vetoed, and the Legislature fell short of a veto override.
The amount of relief started at $120 million for Nebraska, with many of those funds being distributed to other states, before Pillen eventually accepted a remaining $48 million for Nebraska’s 91 smaller counties after he took office, in July 2023.
“That’s $70 million that was left on the table that could have gone to helping people remain housed, and then that money goes into our communities,” State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha said last week.
Ricketts and former Gov. Dave Heineman similarly opposed Medicaid expansion before voters approved the expansion. Both governors argued the change would be too costly.
‘Welcome to the party’
Cavanaugh, who supported Summer EBT and the rental aid, has long been an advocate of drawing down more federal funds and said he was happy with Pillen’s position.
“Welcome to the party,” Cavanaugh said.
In the most recent legislative biennium, lawmakers embraced federal funding for nursing homes, hospitals and Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers, which Pillen celebrated.
State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward joined a letter, led by State Sen. Jen Day, with 14 other senators to ask Nebraska DHHS to reconsider accepting the summer food program last December.
Hughes said urban school districts might be better positioned than more rural districts like hers to have schools open throughout the summer to offer programs or food to families.
“I think as he got more aware of how it really went down, that’s what helped change his tune,” Hughes said of Pillen.
She added that the “Nebraska way” changes were helpful. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also praised the proposal.
‘A very unsteady dock’
State Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar said the state must be careful and “look very closely” at any federal dollars on the table.
While the state has a strong congressional delegation, she argued, the Biden administration doesn’t share those same beliefs, so “no strings” might not actually be the case.
“I don’t trust the Biden administration to just be giving away free money, because that’s not free money, that’s taxpayer money,” Slama said.
Slama said leaders must weigh benefits and risks and not get “addicted” to the federal draw. She added that Nebraska has a “very stable economy” partially because it isn’t dependent on the federal government, and state officials find funds for their own programs.
“Instead of attaching our boat to a very unsteady dock, I like the thought of being out on our own as much as we can,” Slama said.
State funds won’t pick up slack
State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, who represents Plattsmouth and chairs the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, said the state already has a policy that if federal funds go down, state funds won’t fill in behind them.
“While it’s available, I think we should go for it,” Clements said.
State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth echoed his colleagues’ sentiments and said he would be interested in Pillen establishing a satellite office in Washington to help Nebraska get more than its fair share.
“We all pay our federal tax dollars to D.C.,” Brandt said. “We need to get those back for the benefit of the people of the state.”
A Kearney, Nebraska, man who loves the giant Big Boy 4014 suffered a small fracture to his spine when he fell off a ladder trying to climb into the cab of the locomotive during its historic whistle-stop tour on Thursday.
Trevor Allen Bentley told Cowboy State Daily that he was about to fulfill a longtime dream of riding inside the cab of the world’s largest operating locomotive.
He was climbing on the outside of the Cheyenne-based locomotive and had one more step to go on the five-rung ladder to get into the cab when he fell backward about 8 feet, landing hard on the ground.
A 16-second video posted (see below) shows the heavyset man, wearing a bright yellow construction vest, jeans and tennis shoes, gripping the handles on either side of the ladder and struggling to get up to the last step.
After a few seconds, he slips and falls to the ground, landing on his back between the train tracks.
Three others nearby, also in bright-colored vests, were at Bentley’s side immediately. Instinct seemed to kick in as they attempt to help him sit up.
Bentley said he was able to sit up and that he wanted to get up right away.
“I felt fine,” he told Cowboy State Daily on Friday. “Obviously, I was sore. But I just wanted to get up.”
He said he was more embarrassed than anything, “because the Big Boy attracts a show.”
He guessed a few hundred people had turned out to see the Big Boy at the station.
It also was raining, a factor Bentley said likely contributed to his slip.
Ride Of A Lifetime Dashed
Bentley, who works for the online news site CentralNebraskaToday.com, had planned to ride Big Boy 4014 on its approximate 40-mile leg between Kearney and Grand Island, Nebraska, documenting the trip on video for the outlet.
He said he had emailed Union Pacific to request the ride, which the railroad granted.
In a social media post he shared after the fall, he wrote, “A boyhood dream got dashed as I fell 8 feet off of Big Boy 4014 before I got the ride of a lifetime.”
He later told Cowboy State Daily he has been a train enthusiast all his life. He had been in the Big Boy cab before, he said, “which is why I thought I could do it.”
“I just couldn’t get that last step in,” he added.
30-Minute Delay
Big Boy was already running behind schedule when it pulled into the Kearney station, said Bentley. His fall caused an added 30-minute delay.
North Platte resident James Burns said he frequently visits the tracks and had decided to follow Big Boy from North Platte to Kearney.
He was at the stop, taking pictures of Big Boy 4014 when Bentley fell, though he told Cowboy State Daily he did not see the fall. He also confirmed the incident caused an approximate 30-minute travel delay.
The fall sparked a lot of speculation on social media, with comments ranging from prayers that Bentley was OK to sharper criticisms of Bentley’s attempt to climb aboard. One such criticism was his wearing tennis shoes rather than work boots.
Bentley was taken via ambulance to CHI Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney and said he was released later that day.
‘No Fault of UP’
He was home resting when he spoke with Cowboy State Daily via phone Friday.
“I’m just stiff more than anything,” he said, adding that he hopes to be back to work next week. “I am just extremely lucky.”
Bentley wanted to make it clear that his fall was no fault of Union Pacific or anyone but himself. He said what happened was a total accident and that’s why he signed a waiver with UP about riding in the locomotive.
“I do not fault them in any way, shape, or form,” he said. “I don’t want to put a blemish on their tour. It was no fault of Union Pacific. It was on my own accord.”
Union Pacific publicly responded to the incident in a 16-word statement: “We are glad the person is OK and appreciate the concern we’ve heard from rail fans.”
Contact Kate Meadows at kate@cowboystatedaily.com
Kate Meadows can be reached at kate@cowboystatedaily.com.
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – First Alert 6 has the headlines you need to know to get your Friday started.
One hurt in Friday morning crash on I-80 in Omaha
One person was taken to the hospital after a crash Friday morning on Interstate 80 in Omaha.
The crash happened shortly before 6 a.m. on I-80 westbound near 72nd Street. Cameras show the car is completely flipped upside down.
Traffic is being impacted Friday morning, as the far left lane remains blocked.
Police dispatch says initial reports show the victim’s injuries are considered serious.
Nebraska softball defeats Arkansas in extra innings at WCWS
Ava Kuszak hit a two-run home run in the 10th inning as Nebraska defeated Arkansas 5-3 Thursday night at the Women’s College World Series. The victory marks the Huskers’ first WCWS win since 2002.
Jordy Frahm pitched all 10 innings for Nebraska, striking out nine batters. Hannah Coor also homered for the Huskers. Nebraska advances to face Alabama on Saturday at 6 p.m.
The fourth-seeded Huskers are making their eighth WCWS appearance and first since 2013. Six players on the roster are Omaha natives who developed through Nebraska Gold Softball.
Papillion native Frahm earned NFCA Player of the Year honors this season. Gretna’s Alexis Jensen also earned All-American recognition.
The WCWS runs through June 5. The full tournament bracket can be found here.
Nebraska baseball to open NCAA regional Friday
The first Lincoln baseball regional in nearly two decades will begin on Friday.
Nebraska hosts South Dakota State, Ole Miss and Arizona State in the double-elimination pod, hoping to advance to the program’s first super regional since 2005.
The Huskers open the weekend with the Jackrabbits on Friday at 3 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+. The Rebels and Sun Devils play at 8 p.m.
Nebraska defeated South Dakota State 5-4 in a close midweek game on March 4. The Jackrabbits (24-31) made an unlikely run to a Summit League championship as the No. 4 seed to earn their place in this weekend’s regional.
STB pauses Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger proceedings
The Surface Transportation Board has accepted Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s updated merger application but is seeking more information before a full review.
The agency ordered an Environmental Impact Statement under federal environmental law and requested details on nine issues, including passenger rail, market-share projections and service assurance plans. Responses are due by July 27.
The EIS process will include at least 12 in-person public meetings and several virtual sessions.
In a release Thursday, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern called the move “an important step forward” as the deal continues to advance.
Shareholders have backed the merger, and Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has endorsed it.
NU Board of Regents to hold emergency meeting Friday
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents is set to hold an emergency meeting Friday.
A notice sent to First Alert 6 does not state why the meeting was called.
According to the notice, the only business on the agenda is a motion to go into a closed session.
First Alert 6 is told the session is private to protect people who have not requested a public meeting to discuss confidential real estate acquisitions.
Farnam Street to close Friday morning for streetcar work
Farnam Street in Omaha is scheduled to be temporarily closed Friday morning for work in the streetcar project.
The closure is set between Turner Boulevard and 33rd Street for streetcar track concrete placement. Work is expected to begin at 6 a.m. and go until 10 a.m.
City officials say the street will reopen once the last truck has finished.
The full streetcar system is still on track to open by fall 2028.
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Will Bolt and Nebraska baseball are not interested in overlooking South Dakota State on Friday afternoon.
Even after earning the program’s first regional host bid since 2008, the Huskers made it clear Thursday that advancing is top of mind. Home-field advantage inside Haymarket Park should help, but taking advantage of the opportunity in front of them remains the goal.
With the Big Red preparing to begin what it hopes becomes a deep postseason run, Bolt and several players addressed the media following Thursday’s open practice. Here’s everything they had to say.
Electing to Throw Carson Jasa in Regional Opener
Nebraska’s ace is getting the nod, despite the fan base raising somewhat of a concern over the decision. For Bolt and his team, it comes based on respecting their opponent on Friday afternoon.
“He’s been our most consistent pitcher all year long,” Bolt said. “We feel like he gives us the best chance to set the tone for the weekend. No matter who you’re playing this time of year, it’s three wins to win the tournament. And we feel like he gives us a really good chance tomorrow to set a great tone for the entire weekend”.
Bolt continued by saying the decision was made far before the Huskers found out they’d host. About a month before postseason play began, Nebraska switched up its pitching rotation. Now, even after exceeding expectations, they’ll stick with the plan.
“We feel like sending Jasa out there is our only option,” Bolt said. “At the end of the day, respect your opponent. South Dakota State’s coming in here to beat us. So, our best bet to win the game tomorrow, in our opinion, is to throw Carson Jasa”.
Timmerman’s Confidence in Huskers Pitching Decision
NU’s players fully understand the decision made by the coaching staff, especially knowing the kind of challenge South Dakota State is expected to present. The two programs met back in early March, when the Huskers narrowly escaped with a victory. Entering Friday, Nebraska expects a similar battle.
“No matter who’s on the mound, everyone in the dugout, everyone in the bullpen has the utmost confidence in each and every person,” Tucker Timmerman said. “But, Carson, especially, we all love going out and watching him throw. His stuff’s electric. He gets everybody going in the dugout. He’s everyone’s No. 1 fan. So it’s great to have a guy on the mound like that to start us off on a weekend”.
The decision to start Jasa has the full backing of the locker room. With Omaha serving as the ultimate goal, nobody inside Nebraska’s program is under the impression that getting there will come easily. That much is clear.
National Attention Set on Lincoln
Senior infielder Rhett Stokes enters his third postseason run with Nebraska, understanding just how different this year feels. After spending the last tw,o NCAA Tournament appearances traveling on the road, the Huskers now have the opportunity to play on their home field. Something they’ve been very successful at defending this spring.
“This year’s a lot different than the last two years,” Stokes said. “We’re obviously hosting this year, which is a big advantage to us and gives us the best chance to move on to the next round”.
As the top seed in the Lincoln Regional, the Huskers enter Friday with clear advantages on paper. Even so, NU understands how difficult advancing through the postseason is sure to be. While respecting the challenge South Dakota State presents, NU knows it’ll be expected to win.
The Huskers’ Resiliency Could Be a Factor
Nebraska has built its season on resilience. Time and time again, the Huskers have found ways to battle back, keeping themselves alive in games that at times appeared out of reach. That mentality could become a critical characteristic of the team as postseason play begins this weekend.
“We’re a team that’s never out of the fight,” Timmerman said. “That’s a huge thing when you’re in postseason play. Even though we could be down a couple runs, up a couple runs, we’re still going to be playing as hard as we can for as long as the game is going on”.
The Lincoln Regional is the only regional in the country featuring three ranked teams, underscoring just how difficult the path ahead could be for the Big Red. With Nebraska posting a 23-1 record at home this season, continuing that level of play inside Haymarket Park will likely determine whether they make it to the supers.
Why Nebraska Can’t Afford to Overlook SDSU
Despite the Huskers having already beaten SDSU earlier in the year, the Big Red can’t afford to go into the matchup overconfident. They know that early March is much different than late May, and they’ll need their play on the field to reflect that.
“It’s postseason baseball,” Stokes said. “Anything can happen; that’s the nature of it. You can’t treat any one opponent differently. They’ve made it here for a reason. They’re a good team, and they’re hot. I mean, they won the Summit League, so there’s no difference in how we prepare for tomorrow”.
NU will prepare as if the Jackrabbits are a great team. Because, to this point in their season, they’ve proved to be. They won’t sleepwalk their way to a victory, and they know it. That mentality will need to be carried with them through every one of their remaining games.
Expected Attendance at Haymarket Park
Postseason ticket demand has become a serious topic of discussion in recent weeks, but Nebraska’s focus remains centered on the games themselves. Even so, the Huskers fully expect Haymarket Park to provide one of the best atmospheres the venue has ever seen this upcoming weekend.
“I haven’t thought a ton about the number,” Bolt said. “I know that tickets sold out pretty quickly. There’s going to be standing room only everywhere you look. It’s going to be a great environment. I’m not sure how many they’re going to let in the doors; I guess as many as the fire marshal allows, is what I’ve been told. [We’re] excited to play in front of our fans, and to treat them to postseason baseball here in Lincoln”.
Excitement around the program has reached its highest since the move to the Big Ten. Now, the challenge becomes matching that energy on the field and rewarding the fans in attendance who cheer them on.
Nebraska’s game against South Dakota State is set for 3:00 PM CDT on ESPN+. The second game between Arizona State and Ole Miss will follow at 8 p.m. CDT on ESPN2.
The full schedule is below. All times are central.
Friday, May 29
- Game 1: #1 Nebraska (home) vs. #4 South Dakota State (away) 3 p.m.
- Game 2: #2 Ole Miss (home) vs. #3 Arizona State (away) 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 30
- Game 3: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser 2 p.m.
- Game 4: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
- Game 5: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser 2 p.m.
- Game 6: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner 7 p.m.
Monday, June 1
- Game 7: Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser (if necessary) TBA
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