LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers made what appears to be a final effort on Monday to preserve the state’s latest “school choice” program designed to offset private school attendance costs ahead of Election Day.
State Senator Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, who sponsored Legislative Bills 753 in 2023 and 1402 this year, gathered with approximately 20 colleagues to criticize a new advertisement from the Support Our Schools campaign, which opposes both bills. Linehan noted that, despite the significant advertising campaign against her legislation, opponents are not matching the spending. “I’m not putting much value on a repeal that was funded by $5 million against no opposition,” she stated.
The ad, released on social media just four days prior, features three men in suits, which the senators interpreted as caricatures of themselves. In the ad, the men enter a classroom, take toy blocks from children, and create chaos with Legos and other items. A voiceover claims, “The Legislature’s school voucher bill fails our kids.”
During a press conference, Linehan used a jug of Legos as a visual aid, representing the $5 billion that public schools receive annually compared to the $10 million allocated to private schools under her proposed legislation. She described the ad as “ridiculous” and “insulting” to the Legislature.
Tim Royers, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, and Jenni Benson, president of the Support Our Schools campaign, defended the advertisement, stating it addresses genuine concerns regarding public education funding. Royers emphasized that the decision ultimately lies with Nebraska voters, framing the issue as a fundamental threat to public education funding.
As of the latest campaign filings through October 21, the opposition campaign against the LB 1402 education scholarships has raised $4.6 million and spent $4.1 million. LB 1402 would provide $10 million for education scholarships for students attending nonpublic K-12 schools.
Much of the press conference was dedicated to disputing the ad’s allegations, which lawmakers deemed “prejudicial,” “distasteful,” and “disrespectful.” They urged voters to support LB 1402, which is part of Referendum Measure 435.
State Senator Fred Meyer of St. Paul remarked that the ad has no place in public discourse, while State Senator Mike Moser of Columbus stated that state funding for public schools is up. Moser criticized the ad for inciting voter anger and questioned whether opponents would invest similar amounts in improving educational outcomes rather than in campaigns against school choice.
The focus on the upcoming election reveals a critical moment for the future of school funding policies in Nebraska. Linehan and Royers indicated that if the legislation is rejected on November 5, similar initiatives will likely reappear in the future, with Linehan asserting, “I would be surprised if you don’t see more legislation.” To Royers, the matter represents a “red line in the sand.”
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