LINCOLN- The fight over private schools receiving public funds will see another day in the Nebraska Legislature as it successfully passes out of committee. The bill would set aside at least $25 million a year in taxpayer funds for tax credits for donations toward private school scholarships, and was advanced on a 6-2 vote.

Senator Linehan feels confident she will be able to get the bill passed this year despite multiple failures in the past. Currently, Linehan has 31 cosponsors on the bill, she is 2 short of the 33 needed. One of the two votes against was from Senator Bostar. He went on to suggest that the bill be amended to allow the same tax credit for donations to public school foundations. Linehan said she was not opposed to that, but it was not included in the bill that was advanced.

Committee amendments to the bill changed the maximum amount of the tax cut would be $25 million a year for the first two years, rising to a maximum of $100 million if all the tax credit funds were being used. Second, an individual or business could get up to a $100,000 tax credit per year, which would be up to half of their total state income tax liability. Estates or trusts could donate up to $1 million a year.

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