Gov. Heineman Assembles Group to Address
Nepotism Concerns in State Government

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman announced the formation of a work group to explore concerns regarding hiring procedures in state government. The work group will review the state’s anti-nepotism laws and make recommendations to the Governor whether changes in procedure or state statute are needed.

“State personnel laws prohibit nepotism in government and recent concerns indicate that state government has not done enough to help employees understand policies and procedures in disclosing family relations,” Gov. Heineman said. “Our employees deserve clear and unambiguous answers to questions about hiring procedures. This working group will help clarify these issues so that state agencies remain above any real or perceived conflicts of interest.”

The group will be comprised of a representative from the office of the Governor, State Auditor and the Attorney General, the Legislature and State Court System, the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, and the State Law Enforcement Bargaining Council. DAS Director Carlos Castillo will lead the group.

State Auditor Mike Foley said, “I am serious about addressing this issue and the Governor and I have had several very constructive conversations on this matter in recent days. In researching reports of violations of Nebraska’s anti-nepotism laws we are finding that many cases do not fit neatly with the definition in statute. It is essential that we have clear laws and this group will go a long way in helping determine whether a statute change is warranted and restoring trust in state hiring practices.”

Current laws relating to nepotism state that “an official or employee of the executive branch of state government shall not employ or recommend or supervise the employment of an immediate family member in state government,” (State Statute 49-1499.01), and that “immediate family shall mean a child residing in an individual’s household, a spouse of an individual, or claimed by that individual or that individual’s spouse as a dependent for federal income tax purposes.” (State Statute 49-1425)

State statutes are applicable to all agencies, boards and commissions designated under the executive branch of government.

Photos