On November 5th, votes were cast and we found out the results of those votes. Governor Pillen issued the following statement on the results of the 2024 general election. “Today is a great day for America and for Nebraska. Although there are still a few votes to count and some races remain too close to call, it is clear Nebraskans stood strong for their values and prosperity in this election.

I want to thank every Nebraska candidate who put themselves forward for public service. Elections are tough on candidates and their families, as it must be. They made a great sacrifice just to stand for office, and I commend each one of them for their willingness to serve.

I am deeply thankful that President Donald J. Trump will return to the White House. He carries with him the promise of a strong, prosperous, and secure America committed to the rule of law. I look forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with him in rebuilding a strong economy, fighting for fair trade for American workers, opposing Chinese meddling and securing the border.

Here in Nebraska, the people have chosen to maintain a strong conservative majority in our Legislature. I am excited to partner with senators to continue the work of creating a strong future for our kids, cutting taxes, standing up for the agriculture producers who are the backbone of our state and defending our values. We have much work to do, and I look forward to the 2025 legislative sessions and the promise it holds for the people of our state.

Nebraskans wisely chose to send steady, experienced conservatives to represent them in Congress. Preliminary results show that all five members of our federal delegation will continue their service, putting their seniority to work on behalf of the people of our state in a House and Senate that may both be led by conservative Republicans. Those majorities present tremendous opportunity for Nebraska, and I look forward to continued partnership with our delegation to advance our interests in Washington.

I am disappointed that selfish union bosses peddled lies and dark money ads to mislead Nebraskans into ripping away Opportunity Scholarships from needy kids who had been given the chance to attend schools that worked for them, even as we invested unprecedented resources into our public schools. I will never give up on our kids, and I will keep up the fight to create better educational opportunities for them at every level.

I am deeply moved by the faith and conviction shown by Nebraskans in the two abortion-related ballot initiatives. Initiative 434 passed, enshrining pro-life protections in our Constitution that cannot be watered down by pro-abortion politicians. Simultaneously, Nebraskans rejected Initiative 439 and its radical creation of a fundamental right to abortion. It is a great day for unborn babies in Nebraska.

God Bless America and God Bless the State of Nebraska.” (Strimple, Laura. Press Release. “Gov. Pillen Issues Statement on Results of 2024 General Election”. 06 November, 2024. https://shorturl.at/k4P1F)

Voting results on two abortion ballot initiatives

I am very grateful that Nebraska stepped up and declared themselves a pro-life state. Pro-life Initiative 434 passed and pro-abortion initiative 439 was defeated. For the first time in history, pre-born babies in Nebraska have a floor of constitutional protection. By defeating Initiative 439 and passing Initiative 434, Nebraska voters rejected late-term abortion and built a wall of protection from the abortion industry. Nebraska’s 12-week protection, parental notification ultrasound requirements, decades of pro-life laws, and our ability to continue fighting for greater protections have been preserved. Our bold, first-in-the-nation strategy to counter the abortion industry’s game plan with our own pro-life initiative worked. (Nebraska Family Alliance. “LIFE WINS! 434 Passes, 439 Defeated!” Received by Senator Joni Albrecht. 06 November 2024.)

Protect Women and Children put out the following statement: “Nebraskans sent a message to the nation last night by rejecting the extreme initiative proposed by out-of-state activists allowing for taxpayer-funded abortion up to the moment of birth. Instead, Nebraska resounding voted to become the first state to put protections for women and children into our state constitution. A heartfelt thank you to the 1,000 Nebraska medical professionals, coalition of faith leaders, dozens of elected officials, over 2,500 volunteers, and the brave female athletes that took a courageous stand for life.” (Protect Women and Children. “Protect Women and Children Campaign Declares Victory”. Received by Glenda Ward. 07 November, 2024.

Nebraska Department of Transportation Update

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) and District 3 Engineer Kevin Domogalla for their hard work on the roads in the district. Highway 9 has had quite a bit of work done on it and it is much nicer to drive on. I have spent many hours driving that road on my way to Lincoln and back. What a wonderful improvement.

On November 4th, the NDOT along with Governor Jim Pillen, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the final segment of US-275 Scribner-West Point corridor. Expansion of this corridor began construction in the summer of 2021 near West Point. Expanding and improving the US-275 corridor has far-reaching, positive impacts on the mostly rural region of northeast Nebraska, supporting the region’s economic competitiveness and providing a more efficient and reliable connection to national freight networks.

“The completion of this stretch of the US-275 expressway is a big win for Nebraska, but we have more work to do,” said Governor Pillen. “The local communities understand the need for this expressway to be complete, and the economic benefit it will provide. Local support for this work has been strong and sustained for decades. Today, I have directed NDOT to condense the time needed to complete US-275 expressway from Norfolk to West Point.”

Completing the US-275 corridor would enhance the economic, employment, service, healthcare and educational connections for the surrounding region. This corridor provides local steelmakers, manufacturers, livestock producers, farmers and small businesses access to major markets statewide.

Agriculture remains one of the primary industries of regional small businesses and is a major factor of growth in commerce in the region. Enabling easier access to markets empowers small producers to compete regionally while simultaneously growing their communities at home.

“This newly finished section of US-275 is a major step in our mission to complete the expressway system,” said Vicki Kramer, NDOT Director. “The NDOT is exploring conservative and responsible bond financing options in an effort to complete the US-275 corridor on a more condensed schedule that would otherwise not be possible using the pay as you go strategy.” (Campana, Jeni. Press Release. “Governor Pillen Celebrates Completion of US-275 Scribner-West Point segment and Highlights Next Steps for US-275”. 04 November, 2024. https://shorturl.at/YEUZ8)

As always, I invite you to let me know your thoughts, ideas, concerns, or suggestions by calling my office at (402) 471-2716 or emailing me at jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov.