LINCOLN- On Wednesday, the Nebraska Legislature voted, despite a myriad of concerns from Democratic lawmakers, to advance Sen. Linehan's LB753, or the 'Opportunity Scholarship Act,' which would provide tax credits to Nebraskans who donate to organizations that grant scholarships to children attending private school. According to the bill's fiscal note, around $25 million worth of tax credits would be provided each year, with a potential increase cap of $100 million if the yearly credit amount is used.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen reacted immediately to the bill's passage, saying it is a "huge step forward" in giving parents and students more choice in where to attend school. The Nebraska Family Alliance, a Conservative organization that advocates for traditional family values, also lauded the passage of the bill. "Today is an important, hard-fought victory for school choice in Nebraska," said a statement released by the organization, "LB753 puts power back into the hands of parents and will help more families have the choice to send their child to the school that best meets their needs and aligns with their values."

Opponents of the bill, including several Democratic senators and organizations, argue that 'Opportunity Scholarships' hurt public schools by taking away funding. According to Stand for Schools, a nonprofit advocating for public schools, the passage of LB753 will give "tax breaks to the wealthy by supporting unaccountable private schools." During debate of the bill, certain senators also argued that the bill allows public funding to private or parochial schools that can freely discriminate against applicants based on race, religion, or gender.

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