SHANNON LONGWORTH: THERE WAS A TIME WHEN JIM PILLEN WORE A HUSKER JERSEY. NOW, THIS HOG FARMER AND VETERINARIAN IS ABOUT TO ASSUME THE GOVERNORSHIP IN NEBRASKA. 

HE WON NEARLY 60 PERCENT OF THE VOTE IN THE RED STATE. AS ONE OF NINE NEW GOVERNORS ENTERING 2023, JIM PILLEN IS JUST ONE NAME YOU NEED TO KNOW.

PILLEN WON THE GOP’S NOMINATION EVEN THOUGH FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD ENDORSED HIS COMPETITOR, CHARLES HERBSTER, IN THE PRIMARY. 

LOOKING AHEAD, PILLEN PLANS TO SUPPORT FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION…AND LOWER PROPERTY TAXES…SAYING: “SPENDING CONTROL IS THE BEST WAY TO CUT PROPERTY TAXES AND KEEP THEM LOW. OUR PROPERTY TAX PROBLEM WILL ONLY BE SOLVED WHEN GOVERNMENT AT EVERY LEVEL TREATS NICKELS LIKE MANHOLE COVERS.”

HE’S ALSO PROMOTED A NEW SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA, WHICH WOULD SPREAD THE STATE’S MONEY EQUALLY AMONG STUDENTS.

PILLEN SAYS EACH NEBRASKA PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT WOULD GET THE SAME FUNDING, SO THAT STUDENTS IN SMALLER DISTRICTS ARE NOT DISADVANTAGED. “WE SHOULD NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON A KID. AS GOVERNOR, I’LL REFORM EDUCATION FUNDING AND STOP THE STATE FROM PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS.”

THIS CHANGE WOULD MEAN THE LARGER DISTRICTS LOSE EXTRA MONEY THEY CURRENTLY GET FOR SERVING THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS.

ASIDE FROM POLICY PLANNING, PILLEN IS TASKED WITH ANOTHER DECISION. HE WILL CHOOSE A REPLACEMENT FOR SENATOR BEN SASSE, WHO IS RESIGNING TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.