Pillen Stops in Sidney to Talk Taxes and Values

SIDNEY--On Thursday, January 16, 2025, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen stopped in Sidney for a town-hall style meeting at WNCC, and he spoke about tax reform, values, and other topics while taking questions from citizens attending the meeting.

On January 15, Pillen delivered his "State of the State" address, and then came out west the next day for smaller "town hall" style meetings in McCook and Sidney. The Sidney meeting was well-attended and Pillen spoke for almost an hour and a half, fielding questions and speaking plainly about the challenges and obstacles facing Nebraska.

He started his talk by stressing the value of communications in government. He said that it is very important to speak plainly and directly with the people of the state, and to make sure everyone understands the issues being talked about and solutions that are proposed by government.

"I think it's really, really important that we run government like a business, and that we do more with less and decrease spend(ing)", Pillen said. The second part of his statement was a reflection on what he believes are the "values" that Nebraskans cherish, and should be proud of and follow.

"I believe it's really, really important that we keep life simple, keep the drama out. Don't raise your voice, treat each other respectfully and work hard," he said.

He then focused on four words that guide him for what he wants to do in Nebraska and for Nebraskans, "Kids, taxes, agriculture, and values."

Although he did not go into detail about certain issues, he gave an overview on his administration's stance on each of the four words that "guide him." For example, he did not get into specifics regarding tax policy, but noted "I believe as a state we have not been very fiscally responsible for over 50 years now. Our property taxes are so out of whack that you don't even need to own property to be adversely affected," he said. Many Nebraskans who rent their homes or apartments can testify to this situation as rents have risen to cover the cost of increased property taxes and inflation.

Pillen introduced his Budget Director, Neil Sullivan, who also spoke about taxes and the adverse effects of overspending. "The first thing we have got to do is balance the budget, and as the Governor mentioned, we have done that. We've got a proposal that have it as a positive by $70 million dollars," said Sullivan. He then went to detail how "saying no" is the most powerful tool in the arsenal for the Governor, and many agencies that were seeking increases in funding were going to have to make due with no increases from the previous year. "Everyone is chipping in, holding 0 percent increases and no growth on appropriation from many agencies,' he said.

Pillen resumed and said that people in government need to "knock the personal stuff off", saying that although their are disagreements between the parties about how to achieve certain goals, that all Nebraskans should be respectful of each other and treat each other with respect.

Pillen was very focused on that message, as he spoke of other issues, he always came back to the theme of there is hard work to be done and tough choices to be made, but everyone needs to be respectful and cut out the vitriol and drama.

Pillen took questions from the assembled crowd concerning local issues, economic development, and abortion. In all cases, the Governor listened intently and gave reasoned replies, focusing on the fact that none of these questions have easy answers, and that we need to look at the issues clearly and understand all aspects of what is important to Nebraskans. Pillen's down-home style and earnestness was a hit with the crowd that assembled, and his demeanor showed why he was able to get elected through a primary that had a lot of contentious issues, or "drama", as the Governor might say. The people of Sidney who came out for the town-hall had a great chance to hear the man in person, and his message of values and respect seemed to resonate with the citizens of Sidney.