Pillen prioritizes kids, taxes, agriculture and values in new legislative session

LINCOLN, Neb. - The 109th session of the Nebraska Legislature starts on Wednesday and Governor Jim Pillen is ready to tackle his priorities.

He said his priorities haven’t changed, they are the same four words: kids, taxes, agriculture and values. 

“I think the first thing that's important for all Nebraskans to know, nothing's changed. I'm focused on working and being governor of all Nebraskans," Pillen said. "So what that certainly means is that we reach out and spend as much time as possible. Myself and our team, we're partners with the members of the legislature. Doesn't matter what color vests they wear, we're partners.”

He wants to put forth legislation to make sure kids have no phones in school.  He believes kids should be protected from social media and the impact it has on their mental health. 

He also wants his colleagues in the unicameral to put forth legislation to make sure that no fake meat, no peach meat and no bioreactor meat can be sold in Nebraska grocery stores. 

He is also advocating for winner takes all in presidential electoral votes.

“If that experiment of winner take all by district was such a great idea, every state would have adopted it by now it's just us and Maine," Pillen said. "So we, we are prioritizing legislation to get Nebraska back to win or take all whoever, whatever candidate has the most votes.”

Pillen is still recovering from a horseback riding injury. He says he is making progress two weeks after having surgery.

 “I’m not ready to run a track meet yet, but I'm making good progress," said Pillen. "I'm a little stiff, little sore, little bit of pain, but doing really, really well.”