Nebraska state employees union, lawmakers critical of Pillen memo directing cuts, hiring freeze

[Omaha Steve]

http://archive.today/Lm40F

Anna Kleiber
Lincoln Journal Star Jul 10, 2026 Updated 6 hrs ago

LINCOLN — The executive director of Nebraska's largest public employees union said Gov. Jim Pillen's Wednesday memo ordering all state agencies to reduce spending by 5% and freeze hiring for most positions will not only hurt state employees but also the Nebraskans they serve.

"From my perspective, everybody wants an efficient government. I hope every Nebraskan shares in that. But efficiency doesn't mean cutting. Efficiency means finding ways to do things better, said Justin Hubly, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees. "I have not heard the part from the governor's office about how we're going to work together to do better."

Hubly said Nebraska has already seen "drastic cuts" in state government, noting that many agencies are short staffed and turnover is still over 20% for state positions.

"The same amount of work is happening, but with fewer employees to do it. The people that suffer when that happens aren't just the employees, it's our fellow Nebraskans," he said.

FULL story at link above.