LINCOLN- Gov. Pete Ricketts voiced support for allowing more faith-based practices in Nebraska schools during an event celebrating Religious Freedom Week.

Ricketts’ comments came in response to a question regarding a tweet by Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen, a University of Nebraska regent and Columbus hog producer. Ricketts, who cannot run for reelection because of term limits, has strongly supported Pillen’s campaign for governor.

“We need to put God back into our schools,” Pillen tweeted. “I strongly support efforts to put prayer back into our K-12 schools. We should be teaching the next generation to love God and our great country.”

The tweet referenced news about the U.S. Supreme Court decision that determined a Washington high school football coach was within his rights to pray at midfield following football games. Pillen’s comments fueled strong backlash online, with more than 600 replies, many of them critical.

Ricketts said he had not seen Pillen’s tweet, but he believes the Supreme Court’s ruling establishes the rights of students and school employees to pray on school property.

For the full article click HERE