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Nebraska Governor Vetoes Bill for Expanded Maternity Leave

4/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen vetoed a bill to expand paid maternity leave for state employees to six weeks.
The measure would have extended leave to all qualifying workers, and currently about 12,000 union-covered employees receive it.
Pillen said benefits should be negotiated through collective bargaining, not mandated by law.
The veto underscores the lack of federal paid maternity leave, as the Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees only unpaid leave.

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Story summary

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen vetoed a bill to expand paid maternity leave for state employees to six weeks.
The measure would have extended leave to all qualifying workers, and currently about 12,000 union-covered employees receive it.
Pillen said benefits should be negotiated through collective bargaining, not mandated by law.
The veto underscores the lack of federal paid maternity leave, as the Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees only unpaid leave.