LINCOLN- On Saturday morning, public school advocates flooded the steps of the Nebraska Capitol in protest of Sen. Linehan's LB753, which would adopt the Opportunity Scholarships Act and allow public funding to be utilized in private or parochial schools. Protestors sought to send a message regarding opportunity scholarships to Nebraska lawmakers: 'Not in Nebraska.'

More specifically, Linehan's LB753 would permit state tax credits for those who donate to organizations providing scholarships to students attending private schools. Jenni Benson, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, called the rally a "tremendous show of strength and support" for public schools. Nebraskans have, in the past, rejected "school choice" efforts three times already, and Benson stated that they're "going to do it again."

Thus far, LB753 has maintained support through two rounds of floor debate, and has received support from Democratic Sens. Terrell McKinney and Justin Wayne. During the rally, Dunixi Guereca, director of Stand for Schools, which advocates for public school funding, described LB753 as a "school choice scheme" that doesn't invest in students. "This bill is not about giving students choice," he told the attendees, "it's about giving schools choice. Choice to pick and choose the students that they serve, unlike public schools that serve all students."

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