LINCOLN- Nebraska voters, under a new bill, would have to approve agreements to finance new schools via a little-used interlocal agreement system. LB299, introduced by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, would also close a "loophole" in state law that allows for the financing of new school construction without a public vote. "If you're going to put people in debt," said Linehan during a public hearing on the bill, "people should have the right to vote 'yes' or 'no'."

Linehan cited a recent case in Beatrice, where voters rejected a bond to build a new elementary school twice, but saw the local school board appropriate $43 million and begin construction anyway. Linehan described such a move as a "work around," and seeks to limit the ability of school boards to utilize this process.

Sen. Myron Dorn, who represents Beatrice, said he supported this bill because many of his constituents were upset that the construction project moved forward. LB299, which has already left committee, advanced from a first-round debate on a 38-0 vote.

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