LINCOLN- The state's teachers union was quick to challenge LB754, a bill allowing generous tax breaks for donations for private schooling. The effort, by a group called “Support Our Schools” and backed by the Nebraska State Educational Association, seeks to place the issue before voters on the ballot in 2024. The group has filed for a ballot referendum to repeal the bill with the Secretary of State's Office.

“Our goal is to give Nebraskans the opportunity to vote to repeal this harmful bill,” said Jenni Benson, the president of the NSEA and a Support Our Schools Nebraska petition sponsor. Public schools, Benson said, educate nine out of 10 kids in Nebraska, and that “strong public schools support a strong Nebraska and a strong economy.” Benson says it will hurt public schools, services, and infrastructure for years to come.

Gov. Pillen and the bill's sponsor, Sen. Linehan, stood their ground and fired back at the union. Linehan said she was “beyond frustrated” by the NSEA’s claims “especially in a year when the Legislature and the governor have created a billion-dollar education future fund and provided another $305 million in annual funding.” Pillen, in a press release, said he was confident that Nebraska voters would reject any attempt to overturn the law. “The NSEA’s attempt to overturn the Opportunity Scholarships Act is an attack on our kids and their educational opportunities,” Pillen said.

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