LINCOLN- If elected, a conservative and restricted-cost government will be the goal for Jim Pillen.

The focus does not stop there, he wants to focus just as much on workforce development and drastic change in the distribution of state aid to public schools.

His number one focus is keeping Nebraska kids in Nebraska. The state loses too many jobs to other states, and Pillen thinks he can make the changes to retain the younger age group.

How will he do this? By providing targeted education options and job opportunities that would swiftly and directly address Nebraska's dramatic workforce shortage, which currently leaves perhaps as many as 100,000 job opportunities in the state unfilled, Pillen says.

"The first step is the university and state colleges have to do better in keeping our kids here," the University of Nebraska regent said. "We're not competitive with scholarships. We have to get in the game."

Pillen noted that it isn't all about the university. He says we need to focus on hooking up children with businesses and with community colleges and trade schools. By focusing on all of the categories, the state will effectively generate economic development and value.

"Outside of our kids and our people, our second greatest resource is water," Pillen said. "We have to protect it. It's our future along with our kids."

Pillen supports Gov. Pete Ricketts' efforts to retain and protect the South Platte River water flowing into Nebraska from Colorado through the construction of a dam and canal system. That $500 million project was authorized by the 2022 Legislature.

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