Articles by Josh Reyes

Technology

Omaha co-founder of AI consulting firm seeks to bring innovation to Nebraska Legislature

The co-founder of a Nebraska-based AI firm is running for an Omaha-area seat in the Legislature, saying she plans to use her entrepreneurial mindset to address high property taxes, find new revenue streams and support business growth and innovation. Jess Goldoni, 42, is a candidate for the District 18 seat in northwest Omaha. State Sen. Christy Armendariz, a Republican, is eligible for reelection but has declined to run again. Armendariz won the seat in 2022 with 56% of votes. Goldoni pledged to serve Nebraskans in the district over any special interest or political party. She said she is a moderate Democrat, frustrated with partisanship in the Legislature. “After months of listening to educators, parents, small business owners, and community leaders, the message is clear: Nebraskans are tired of gridlock,” Goldoni said in a press release. “They’re not just impacted by high taxes or broken systems — they’re burdened by them. They feel left behind, unheard and overextended.” Her focus includes lowering taxes without gutting public schools and eliminating wasteful spending. She noted that Nebraska’s challenges, like the budget gap and brain drain, can’t be solved through cuts alone and made suggestions, including looking at remote tax credits to attract workers and generate revenue around data centers and agricultural technology. To support business growth, she said she wants to cut red tape, modernize government and support trades, tech and dual-credit educational programs. She also emphasized helping veterans with housing, health care and accessing benefits. Goldoni, a Nebraska native who has lived in District 18 for more than a decade, cofounded Nebrask.ai, an AI consulting firm that helps clients “work smarter — not bigger.” Goldoni has worked more than 20 years in helping build companies in health care, law, finance and technology. She said her experience in tech would be an important perspective for the Legislature as it balances setting guardrails for innovations like AI while also not stifling growth. Taylor Royal, a financial manager from Bellevue who previously ran for Omaha mayor and state treasurer, is also running for the seat and has an endorsement from Armendariz. The primary for state legislative seats will be in May and the general election in November 2026.