Recognition of the new U.S. law that establishes Juneteenth as a federal government holiday varies among the states in our region.
Nebraska state employees received a paid holiday Friday, as Gov. Pete Ricketts Thursday ordered the closure to comply with a state law that grants the same paid holiday benefits as federal workers. Exceptions may include law enforcement, security, military, and teammates engaged in other essential functions.
However, such is not the case in Wyoming, where the Legislature sets paid state holidays.
Wyoming started recognizing the holiday on the third Saturday of June back in 2003, and Governor Mark Gordon said he will work with lawmakers to consider the paid holiday option for future years.
Exceptions also exist for some federal offices and related services, most notably some U.S. Postal Service locations, due in part to the signing of the legislation by President Biden on late in the day Thursday.
