Nebraska State Treasurer John Murante has been named the 2019 Newcomer of the Year by the State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF). SFOF is a nationwide non-profit that works with state treasurers, state auditors, and other financial officers to educate the public about financial public policy.

 In Murante’s first year as State Treasurer he put forward several legislative initiatives promoting Nebraskans’ access to higher education through innovative college savings incentives. Working with a bipartisan coalition of State Senators, the Unicameral passed landmark legislation creating the Meadowlark Program, in which all children born in Nebraska on or after January 1, 2020 will be enrolled in the NEST529 college savings program at birth. Funding will begin the year following the birth of the child and parents/guardians have the ability to opt out of the program.

Under Murante’s leadership, contributions to the NEST529 college savings plan rose dramatically and unclaimed property claims skyrocketed, paying more claims in 2019 since 2013.

 Murante also hosted the Smart Women Smart Money event in November, an unique initiative which drew hundreds of participants to the Omaha area to discuss financial literacy in both small and large group settings.

 “It is a great honor to receive this reward. I’m proud of the job my office did last year, and I’m looking forward to seeing our successes in 2020,” Murante said.

 “Treasurer Murante has proven himself a bold leader and true public servant. His efforts to improve treasury services including NEST529, unclaimed property, and financial literacy alone are unprecedented for a first-year state official.

 “Murante hosted hundreds of participants at the Smart Women Smart Money event late last year and his office has become the gold standard for bringing financial literacy issues and real solutions to the forefront,” said Derek Kreifels, President of the State Financial Officers Foundation.