By Erin Bamer | Reporter
“I believe in it so much that if we don’t get things accomplished in ‘27, our team will be working on taking it to the ballot for ‘28, and we’ll let the people speak,” - Gov. Jim Pillen said of his longtime proposal to cap local spending and cover K-12 education costs to alleviate property taxes.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen hosts a news conference talking about his approach for property taxes ahead of the 2027 legislative session on Nov. 6, 2026, in Lincoln, Nebraska, days after securing reelection for four more years. (Photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
By Zach Wendling
LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen hasn’t budged on his approach to cap local spending and cover K-12 education costs to alleviate property taxes he’s called for in the past four years.
But in 2027, Pillen’s second term begins with a more skeptical, divided Legislature to his ideas than before. Though he is adding a backstop: If the Legislature fails, he’ll go to the 2028 ballot.
Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts Mike Foley testifies before the Legislature’s Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. Feb. 5, 2026. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
GOVERNMENT
By Erin Bamer
LINCOLN — New research from State Auditor Mike Foley into the short-lived executive director of Nebraska’s Public Employees Retirement System showed the director had a tumultuous experience in the agency before he walked off the job.
State Sen. Brad von Gillern and Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek are facing off again for to represent west-central Douglas County’s Legislative District 4. They are pictured in Omaha in early October 2026. (Photos by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Zach Wendling
OMAHA — An incumbent state senator eyed as the frontrunner for speaker of the Nebraska Legislature has conceded his Omaha-area race in a rematch with his 2022 challenger.
State Sen. Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn, in a statement Friday, congratulated state Sen.-elect Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek of Omaha. Since joining the Legislature in 2023, von Gillern has served in leadership positions for the Revenue Committee, including the first two years as vice chair to former state Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn before becoming chair.
Denise Powell greets supporters at her watch party turned victory in Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District. The Nov. 3 event was in downtown Omaha at the Hilton at 10th and Cass streets. (Photo by Ailyn Adame for Nebraska Examiner)
ICYMI
By Juan Salinas II
OMAHA — Denise Powell’s victory in Nebraska’s most politically divided and diverse congressional district was part of a historic night for Democrats nationally, as voters across the country delivered a significant rebuke to the Trump administration.
The Midtown Crossing redevelopment was among Omaha tax-increment financing-assisted projects. This view looks west near 31st and Farnam Streets along the spine of the retail and residential area. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)
LABOR & GROWTH
By Cindy Gonzalez
LINCOLN — A pros-and-cons discussion about one of Nebraska’s most controversial yet championed economic development tools took center stage at a legislative hearing Friday: Is TIF out of control? What, if any, changes should lawmakers pursue?
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
COMMENTARY
Sounds of silence return after costly campaigns | George Ayoub
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Scenes from Election Day | Nebraska Examiner staff
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