BEATRICE – Grateful for those who helped him recover from serious injuries after a fall from a horse, Governor Jim Pillen issued his State of the State Adress to lawmakers on Wednesday.


"But a life-giving moment like that, that I experienced can have the effect of clarifying one's sense of mission. It reminds one of how incredibly delicate life is...and to absolutely make the most of every single moment we're given."


Pillen said the state enjoys a strong economy, has topped two-million in population for the first time, but still has work to do to improve its tax climate, address education funding and make government more efficient. One key area in that regard is forming a new agency to look after a critical resource….water.


"State government bifurcates its management of this...this resource through two separate departments....the department of environment and energy....and the department of natural resources. By doing so, we needlessly divide our focus on water quality and quantity, and given the inter-relatedness of these two things....this simply doesn't make any sense."


Pillen noted that Senator Tom Brandt, the new Chair of the Natural Resources Committee, is leading an effort to consolidate agencies into a new Department of Water, Energy and Environment. Nebraska sits on the Ogallala Aquifer…a major resource for Nebraska…and Pillen says a new method of stewardship is needed.


"It will save cost. It will eliminate duplicative overhead, and it will streamline the mission of stewarding and protecting our natural resources and environment....and enhance collaboration between our people, as well."


Pillen pledged to support more funding for the property tax credit fund, work to remove obsolete parts of government…and continue to work on state support for public schools.


"Our job is to focus on schools, on public safety, on our roads and infrastructure and the critical services that Nebraskans need. That's what we need to do for Nebraska and Nebraskans...and nothing else. This year, we will prioritize improvements to Nebraska's school funding system. TEEOSA, Nebraska's 30-year-old formula for school funding, remains broken...burdening local communities and districts with limited resources....and shortchanging our kids."


Pillen says in 25 years, the number of school districts that receive state aid has dropped from 226, to only 60.
"I will establish a blue ribbon commission of experts, to cut through the bureaucracy and invested special interest in our current school funding system, and recommend a new funding model for Nebraska...which this legislature will be able to consider, and adopt."


Pillen also called on lawmakers to move the state to a winner-take-all system of allocating electoral votes in presidential elections…expressed support for the proposed Stand For Women Act…and supports state policy aimed at protecting children from harmful effects of social media. Many schools have already adopted policies restricting cellphone use in the classroom.