LINCOLN- On Friday, supporters of Nebraska's new 'School Choice' law, including Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, who introduced the now-signed bill, announced the creation of a campaign that seeks to stifle a petition drive that hopes to place the issue on the state's 2024 general election ballot, allowing voters to decide the fate of the law. The campaign was revealed to be formally titled "Keep Kids First," and encourages registered voters to "decline to sign" the petition to place the issue on the ballot.

Sen. Linehan defended the new law, arguing that it does not, despite oppositional claims, divert public funding away from public schools. Linehan also called out the Nebraska State Education Association, which is leading the charge to place the issue on the ballot, claiming that the organization will "say anything for their own self-interest, but not for Nebraska kids."

Critics of the new law, including Support Our Schools Nebraska and the aforementioned public education union, argue that LB753, the 'School Choice' bill, and the tax credits it provides are a way for lawmakers to get around a state constitutional provision that disallows public funding from going towards private or parochial schools. Linehan finished by stating that it's unfair to single out her bill, which offers tax credits, since many more passed this year do the same.

For the full article click HERE