Nebraska lawmakers advance ‘school choice’-related bill
LB1402 would designate millions for Nebraska students to attend private school of their choice
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) - The Nebraska Legislature advanced what is essentially a back-up plan for “school choice” since the bill passed into law last year may be rejected by voters in November.
LB1402 passed through the first round of voting 31-12 on Tuesday.
As it’s written, the new bill would award the funds first to first-time applicants, students who had previously received scholarship funds under the program created by LB753 or is a sibling of a student receiving them; and then to students who can demonstrate need.
Opponents call LB1402, sponsored by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, an end-run around the Nebraska ballot initiative to repeal “school choice” after an effort to remove it from the ballot failed in February. LB753, known as “school choice,” was signed into law by Gov. Jim Pillen last spring, allowing people to qualify for tax credits.
LB1402 initially designated $25 million for Nebraska students to use to alleviate costs associated with attending a private school of their choice, but was cut to $10 million. The new bill would directly earmark state dollars for private school scholarships, effectively cutting out the middle man.
“I have agreed to lower the amount from $25 million to $10 million for three years and no escalator. Why would I do that? Because I believe if we get these 2,500 students in a school that works for them, you’ll be hard pressed next year — whether I’m here or not — to take those kids out of the those schools,” Linehan said.
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