Pro-business Approach is Powering Nebraska’s Economy

NEBRASKA, February 7 - Pro-business Approach is Powering Nebraska’s Economy

By Governor Jim Pillen

February 6, 2026

Bloat and waste have no place in your family’s budget, and they shouldn’t find a place in the state’s budget either. Nebraskans believe in a government that lives within its means – efficiently and effectively serving its people.

With an overall $22+ billion budget, across 79 state agencies, over 510 separate budget programs, and 900 cash funds – not to mention industry jargon about Forecasting Board predictions, bienniums, earmarks, and reserves – there’s a lot going on. I wanted to write today to help share some truth about the state’s financial position. 

Simply, Nebraska’s fiscal health is beyond question. 

While a few loud Debbie Downers breathlessly traffic doomsday narratives, today, the State of Nebraska has over $1.4 billion in the bank and the highest credit rating in our history. 

We’re stable, growing, and our economy is competing on a national scale. Recently released data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that Nebraska posted some of the strongest Q3 economic numbers in the country. We beat the national average and earned a spot in the top quarter of states for GDP increases – and we came in at #2 nationally for personal income growth. 

Yet more national data shows that we’ve successfully stemmed the tide of out-migration, posting the lowest number of people leaving the state since 2010.

These successes don't happen overnight and speak to the common-sense, living-within-your-means approach to business and government Nebraskans believe in. 

Since last summer, I’ve spent countless hours with my Cabinet leaders taking a business-minded approach to reviewing the State’s budget – line by line – to find inefficiencies and waste.

Philosophically, I believe smaller government better serves Nebraskans. Practically, that means the State of Nebraska needs to balance its books. This legislative session, we’re going to fill the Forecasting Board’s projected budget shortfall by creating a leaner, more efficient government while still delivering the high-quality services Nebraskans depend on.

In this Administration, we’re running government like a business – building a pro-enterprise climate, with a whole lot less regulatory red tape and a culture of fiscal conservatism that believes in decreasing spend and increasing accountability. 

We already have major advantages for anybody considering doing business here: 

• Abundant, cheap, and reliable power – through public power, Nebraskans save $1.25 billion
• Ranked #1 for best infrastructure – and a national transportation hub connected by road and rail
• America’s hardest-working workforce
• An ongoing commitment to reducing the tax burden
• High quality of life and low cost of living
• A pro-business regulatory environment

Nebraska’s right on track. That doesn’t mean anyone is satisfied. We have to keep pushing forward, as we work to improve the lives of our neighbors, both rural and urban. Better affordability and increased opportunity help every Nebraska family get ahead and own their own home. 

Recently, joined by a bipartisan group of business and community leaders, we announced the Grow the Good Life incentive, a robust plan to bring more families and high-paying careers to turbocharge our already strong economy. 

This groundbreaking effort will be second to none, giving businesses of all sizes a significant tax credit – 10% for a full decade – when they grow their business by bringing NEW, high-paying careers and people to our state.

This will be one of the most significant people and business recruitment tools in state history – and will give a boost to all Nebraska businesses by bringing new families who will invest in our communities, buy more groceries, and support local commerce.

Now’s the time to capitalize on Nebraska’s success. Our people – the best part of our great state – deserve a framework that sets us up to compete nationally, beat the market, and keep growing the Good Life.